Results of new study to improve the management of agricultural soils and fertiliser use

New soil data, maps and research findings, the results of the 5-year Terra Soil project, carried out by Geological Survey Ireland and Teagasc, will be released at its final conference on Friday, 12 April 2024.

Over 10,000 soil samples have been analysed and investigated to help better understand soil phosphorus behaviour and soil properties across the northern half of the country. New maps and outputs from the research highlight variations in both chemical and physical soil parameters across different regions. Patterns of soil health, in particular phosphorus behaviour interpolated based on geochemical analysis, will better inform phosphorus management. In addition, micro and macro nutrients such as calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) have been determined and mapped for concentration and soil indices.

The novel use of infra-red spectroscopy (MIR) has enabled a new predictive method for determining soil particle size (% sand, silt, and clay), texture class, pH, lime requirement, organic matter, total carbon, total nitrogen, total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. MIR is a cost-effective and rapid way of analysing multiple soil properties simultaneously. The Terra Soil project has demonstrated how we can apply multiple datasets to develop soil compaction and leaching potential risk assessment models.

The project team from the Tellus Programme, in Geological Survey Ireland, and Teagasc hope this new information will help farmers optimise the management of their soils and enhance soil health based on a better understanding of spatial patterns of texture, phosphorus, carbon and other nutrients. While scientists will use the new information to better understand Irish soils and support Ireland's response to the upcoming EU soil monitoring and resilience law.

Koen Verbruggen, Director of Geological Survey Ireland, commented:

"The Terra Soil project has been a successful collaboration between Geological Survey Ireland and Teagasc taking complex scientific data and applying the results to produce useable agronomic indicators which have a practical benefit to the farmer. This is a great example of two state bodies sharing skills, data and information, and working closely together to improve our understanding of soil, which is of vital importance, not just for farmers, but all of us in Ireland."

John Spink, Head of the Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme added:

"The collaboration has advanced our ability to rapidly analyse soil samples and use the information to predict and map multiple soil variables to help visualise patterns in soil texture and behaviour of soil nutrients to better inform how we manage soils. Following from this successful collaboration, we very much look forward to working with our colleagues in Geological Survey Ireland in the future."

The Terra Soil final conference will be held at Ashtown Research centre on Friday, 12 April 2024. New data reports and over 30 new maps will be released via the project website.

All data and maps will be made freely available to all. Discussions on the next phase and surveys for the rest of Ireland will also be held. Further information is available at [email protected]

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Terra Soil is a collaboration between Geological Survey Ireland, a line division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and Teagasc, Ireland's agricultural and food development authority.

Data was derived from soil samples collected as part of the Tellus programme, managed by Geological Survey Ireland and is made freely available to the public and can be accessed at www.gsi.ie/tellus.

Anyone who is looking for more information regarding the Tera Soil project can contact [email protected]