Abstract
Growing as much crop biomass as possible in the shortest possible time is the target for most bio-energy producers. However, according to the requirements of the Green Deal, the consumption of fertilizers and crop protection products will have to be significantly reduced between 2023 and 2027. In order to meet all the necessary conditions for the production of biomass, a stationary field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania, in 2020–2021. Multi-cultivations of maize, hemp and faba bean were investigated. The aim of this study was to ascertain the impact of multi-cropping intensity on soil structural composition, stability, penetration resistance and gas concentration–respiration. As expected, multi-cropping stabilized the gas concentration and emission from the soil and decreased the proportion of micro-structures in the top soil layers. However, the stability of the soil decreased in all the experimental plots. Gas concentration and respiration mainly depended on soil structural composition, temperature and moisture content. The results of the experiment suggest performing investigations at a long-term scale because the intensive variation of meteorological conditions had a higher impact on the soil properties than the multi-cropping systems.
Highlights
Intensive farming is still popular in Lithuania and around the world, requiring large investment, and potentially causing environmental pollution problems, in order to obtain the highest possible yield and profit
We are moving towards an EU Green Deal aimed at creating a modern and competitive economy through production that improves the quality of life of current and future generations, while minimizing the negative impact on the environment
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of multi-crops on soil structural composition and stability, penetration resistance, moisture content, temperature and gas concentration, and emissions under the conditions of a short vegetative period
Summary
Intensive farming is still popular in Lithuania and around the world, requiring large investment, and potentially causing environmental pollution problems, in order to obtain the highest possible yield and profit. We are moving towards an EU Green Deal aimed at creating a modern and competitive economy through production that improves the quality of life of current and future generations, while minimizing the negative impact on the environment. The EU’s circular economy aims to transform production methods and decouple economic growth from resource use. This transition requires a new approach to the use of raw materials. Humanity has used fossil fuels to obtain energy. Plant biomass is currently considered to be the most promising alternative renewable energy source [1,2] that can ensure energy security [3]
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