One of the missions of the Agricultural Climate and Energy Center is to contribute to increased knowledge about carbon storage in soil. Together with the other agricultural schools in Trøndelag, we have established the “Carbon Project in Trøndelag”.
Background
Through photosynthesis, plants form carbon-containing compounds using carbon dioxide that they absorb from the atmosphere. Some of this is stored in the soil, and the organic material is «food» for soil life, and also contributes to improving soil structure. Increased carbon storage in agricultural soil is considered to be an important climate measure both nationally and internationally. The soil contains three to four times more carbon than is bound in the plant mass above the soil. It is possible to bind more carbon in the soil. This will contribute positively to the climate accounts and in the long term provide more fertile soil.
Partners
In Trøndelag, a three-year carbon project has been launched with participation from the county's nature schools, the State Administrator of Trøndelag, Trøndelag County Council and the Norwegian Agricultural Advisory Service Trøndelag. The project will end in 2023.
Project objectives
- Help increase the carbon content in soil
- Disseminate knowledge and demonstrate various methods for carbon capture in soil
- Further develop knowledge networks, industry, consulting, research and teaching
The agricultural schools in Trøndelag will be workshops for knowledge transfer, as well as arenas for field trials. NLR and other R&D environments are important partners in planning and implementing measures, and for disseminating results into the agricultural industry. The schools have created activity plans for what will happen in the project this year. The activity plan for Mære includes, among other things:
- A “root lab» that contains root boxes that show root growth in various plants, soil types, soil structure, soil micro-life, etc. Read more about our Rotlab here.
- Establish demonstration fields with various soil-improving crops
- Conduct professional days for students and farmers based on the demonstration fields and the root lab.
- We have also created a brochure about carbon storage in soil.
To illustrate root development, we have had root boxes made, where we can see the roots and soil through plexiglass.
