Innovations in the area of improved machinery and technologies for the cultivation of root crops, cereals and oilseeds

The main objective of the operation is to produce a technological innovation in the form of an innovative machine with a modular design with a multipurpose application, as well as technological innovations related to the technology of loosening, fertilizing and forming potato ridges in a single pass after it is planted in the soil, in order to improve economic performance and the level of innovation of the potato production process, increase environmental protection by reducing the use of mineral fertilizers and limiting their leaching from the soil, as well as mitigation of climate change by eliminating the individuality of the treatments carried out, which, thanks to the modularity of the machine, are performed simultaneously.

The need for the implementation of the operation is justified by the results of scientific research within the meaning of Article 4. Paragraph 2 of the Law of July 20, 2018 Law on Higher Education and Science. Scientific research clearly indicates the need to reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the natural environment and the possibility of using in this regard appropriate tillage techniques conducive to soil conservation.

• The planned operation is very much in line with the Common Agricultural Policy's objectives for competitive, low-carbon and climate-friendly and climate change resilient solutions by focusing on producing innovations related to the technology of loosening, fertilizing and forming potato ridges in a single pass after it is planted in the soil, with the aim of improving the economic performance and innovation level of the potato production process, increasing environmental protection by reducing the use of mineral fertilizers and limiting their leaching from the soil, and mitigating climate change.
• In addition to environmental benefits, the implementation of innovations can, by achieving a good quality crop, increase profits. A farmer can achieve the same yield level with lower fertilizer use and reduced agronomic treatments.
• By creating the right conditions for potatoes to develop a deep root system capable of drawing water from deep soil layers, it will be possible to reduce the consumption of water resources for crop irrigation.
• Thus, the innovation that is the subject of the operation can contribute to increasing the profitability of farms while reducing their negative impact on the environment.

Project activities

The assumed operation will be implemented in 5 stages. Within the framework of the stages, each member of the consortium will carry out a series of activities leading to the production of innovations as a result of research and development activities.

•  In the course of the operation, tasks will be carried out related to the collection of soil samples and their subsequent examination and analysis in order to obtain reliable data.
• Necessary equipment and agricultural machinery will be purchased to help conduct the operation.
• The data obtained will allow the development of an innovative machine to facilitate field work.
• At the same time, meetings will be held to verify the tasks performed.

The main benefits of the project

The main benefit is the implementation of an innovative multi-purpose machine, for deep tillage and fertilizer reseeding to a depth of up to 50cm, with simultaneous formation of potato ridges, which can be easily adapted as a strip tillage, as well as a subsoiler with fertilizer reseeding to a depth of 50cm, which will increase the production potential of soils, increase the efficiency of mineral fertilizer use, reduce the loss of water from the soil, reduce the number of trips over the field, which translates primarily into a positive impact on the environment and better organization of work.

• The modular design will also allow for simple and intuitive expansion of the machine, in case the farm grows and there is a need to increase the productivity of the machine.  No-till cultivation and deep loosening have a very positive effect on the soil's retention capacity, which contributes to combating the growing problem of water erosion resulting from over-cultivation and infrequent but heavy rainfall.
• The benefit will also be the creation of better conditions for potato field production, with a reduction in the use of mineral fertilizers and a significant reduction or complete abandonment of traditional spraying fertilization.
• The deep application of mineral fertilizers stimulates the root system of plants to follow vertically into the soil, where there is productive water for plants and good conditions for the transition of fertilizers into forms that are available and assimilable to plants, so there is no need for artificial irrigation of plantations, and yields can be more stable over the years.
•  The deep loosening of the soil in the last agrotechnical treatment performed on the plantation, as well as the deep application of fertilizers, will create optimal conditions for the development of a large number and good quality of potato tubers.
•  Moreover, it is expected that this technology can contribute to reducing the use of traditional irrigation systems, as intensive irrigation with water from water reservoirs in the soil can lead to the real problem of depletion of these reservoirs and drinking water deficit. Reducing traditional irrigation, can also have a positive effect on reducing the development and spread of fungal diseases, as traditional irrigation contributes to maintaining high humidity in the plant canopy, which at high temperatures creates ideal conditions for the development and spread of pathogens. The lack of irrigation, will allow to lower the moisture in the plant canopy, so the opportunities for the development of pathogens will be reduced, which in turn can translate into reduced use of fungicides.

The results of the operation therefore assume progress in the implementation of European Green Deal practices. The practices that will be able to be carried out with the innovative solution created by the operation will contribute to improving soil fertility and water status, increasing biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, perfectly fitting in with the objectives of EU strategies such as "Farm to Fork" and "For Biodiversity".

Using an innovative solution and deep loosening of the soil in the last agrotechnical treatment performed on the plantation and deep application of fertilizers, will create optimal conditions for the development of a large number and good quality of potato tubers. It will be possible to reduce soil erosion.
 

Practice summary

Improved technological innovation in the form of a modular soil loosening and fertilizing machine - the operation involves activities to design, build, test a prototype and implement an innovative multi-purpose machine for the market.

• The main idea is to create a machine that, after planting potatoes into the soil, will loosen the inter-rows, apply mineral fertilizers to a depth of up to 50cm and form the final shape of the potato ridges in one pass. Thanks to its modular design, it will be possible to change the machine's working specifications by replacing the ridge-forming module with a unit of digging wheels, so that the machine can be aggregated with a precision seeder and work as a strip-till unit, which is being dynamically introduced in the Polish market, as well as foreign markets.
• Thanks to its modular and compact design, the machine will be able to serve both medium and large farms. The base version of the machine, with a width of 3m, will be prepared for expansion to 4.5m, so that in the event of farm growth, it will be possible to increase the productivity of the machine, so that it will be used more efficiently in economic terms. The use of modular systems will make it possible to create new configurations of machines and equipment, thus providing functions that are not currently available on the market.

Moreover, at a time of crisis in the steel market and greatly exorbitant prices for agricultural machinery, this would be a very favorable solution for farmers.

Results achieved

The main objective of the operation was to produce a technological innovation in the form of an innovative machine with a modular design with a multipurpose application, as well as technological innovations related to the technology of loosening, fertilizing and forming potato ridges in a single pass after it is planted in the soil, in order to improve economic performance and the level of innovation of the potato production process, increase environmental protection by reducing the use of mineral fertilizers and limiting their leaching from the soil, as well as mitigation of climate change by eliminating the individuality of the treatments carried out, which, thanks to the modularity of the machine, are performed simultaneously.

The main benefit was the implementation of an innovative multi-purpose machine, for deep tillage and fertilizer reseeding to a depth of up to 50 cm, with simultaneous formation of potato ridges, which can be easily adapted as a strip tillage, as well as a subsoiler with fertilizer reseeding to a depth of 50 cm, which increased the production potential of soils, increased the efficiency of mineral fertilizer use, reduced the loss of water from the soil, reduced the number of trips over the field, which translates primarily into a positive impact on the environment and better organization of work. The modular design also allowed for simple and intuitive expansion of the machine, in case the farm grows and there is a need to increase the productivity of the machine.  No-till cultivation and deep loosening have a very positive effect on the soil's retention capacity, which contributes to combating the growing problem of water erosion resulting from over-cultivation and infrequent but heavy rainfall. The benefit was also the creation of better conditions for potato field production, with a reduction in the use of mineral fertilizers and a significant reduction or complete abandonment of traditional spraying fertilization. The deep application of mineral fertilizers stimulates the root system of plants to follow vertically into the soil, where there is productive water for plants and good conditions for the transition of fertilizers into forms that are available and assimilable to plants, so there is no need for artificial irrigation of plantations, and yields can be more stable over the years. The deep loosening of the soil in the last agrotechnical treatment performed on the plantation, as well as the deep application of fertilizers, created optimal conditions for the development of a large number and good quality of potato tubers. The results of the operation therefore assumed progress in the implementation of European Green Deal practices. The practices that were able to be carried out with the innovative solution created by the operation contributed to improving soil fertility and water status, increasing biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, perfectly fitting in with the objectives of EU strategies such as “Farm to Fork” and “For Biodiversity.” Using an innovative solution and deep loosening of the soil in the last agrotechnical treatment performed on the plantation and deep application of fertilizers, created optimal conditions for the development of a large number and good quality of potato tubers. It was possible to reduce soil erosion.

Additional comments

The potential area of impact of the result of the operation extends beyond the territory of the Republic of Poland.

• The planned operation involves the improvement of innovative technological solutions in the field of technology of loosening, fertilizing and forming potato ridges in one pass after it is planted in the soil, with the aim of improving economic performance and the level of innovation of the process of potato production, increasing environmental protection by reducing the use of mineral fertilizers and limiting their leaching from the soil, as well as mitigating climate change. This fits in with the new directions and strategies for the development of European agriculture, such as the European Green Deal, the Strategy for Sustainable Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Plan for the Countryside.
• Europe is the region with the largest potato trade volume. The large potato trade volume between EU countries is due to climatic differences and different potato harvesting dates. Exports of early potatoes each year begin earliest in countries in southern Europe. As time passes, exports begin to move from northern to southern Europe. Currently, there is an increase in potato production in Western European countries.
• Climate changes, make the production of edible potato more and more demanding. Therefore, solutions are being sought to help mitigate the effects of climate change and maintain or increase production levels, regardless of climatic conditions. Taking into account the assumptions of the European Green Deal, which assumes agricultural production in a healthy and environmentally friendly way, as well as the unstable prices of raw materials used in agriculture, the demand for solutions that reduce the use of mineral fertilizers within the territory of the European Union countries may increase.
  Therefore, solutions are being sought to help mitigate the effects of climate change and maintain or increase production levels, regardless of climatic conditions. Taking into account the assumptions of the European Green Deal, which assumes agricultural production in a healthy and environmentally friendly way, as well as the unstable prices of raw materials used in agriculture, the demand for solutions that reduce the use of mineral fertilizers within the territory of the European Union countries may increase.
• This is an undertaking not only on a national scale, but covering the entire European Union, as the solutions developed, can be used for on-farm adaptation in the face of imposed, increasingly stringent resource management policies.

The solution can be used not only on large farms, but also on smaller family farms. Thanks to its modular and compact design, the machine will be able to serve both medium and large farms. The machine can be expanded with the development of farms, and its functionality can be adapted to the needs of the farm. Thus, it can be concluded that the production of improved technological innovations can guarantee the area of impact of the result of the operation in potato farms throughout the European Union. The above facts mean that the results of the operation may have an impact outside the territory of the Republic of Poland, in particular within the common market of the European Union.