The laboratory for soil and agroecology of the Institute of Agriculture and Vegetables, in cooperation with the Movement of the Highlanders of Novi Sad, conducted research within the project “One belt – multiple protection” in order to analyze the impact of agricultural protection belts on soil quality. Soil sampling was carried out in Vojvodina, in three localities: Gakovo, Bikovo and Milesevo. The results show that the soil in agricultural protection zones has a significantly higher humus content compared to production plots. Humus is most present in the belts in Mileševo (5.7%), and the least in Gakovo (3.6%). The presence of humus in agricultural buffer zones emphasizes their potential to enrich soil that has been degraded due to long-term agricultural cultivation and loss of humus.
The research also found a high content of phosphorus and potassium in the soil of agricultural protection belts, nutrients that came with the wind from the agricultural plots. These nutrients, however, are not evenly distributed on production plots. This indicates the need for more careful use of mineral fertilizers in order to achieve a better uniformity of nutrients in the soil. Agricultural buffer zones are designed as natural barriers that retain and filter excess nutrients, preventing their further spread and reducing the negative effects of intensive agriculture on the soil and surrounding watercourses.
Land quality summarized
The importance of preserving agricultural protection belts is highlighted through their contribution to preserving soil fertility and maintaining the ecological balance. Given that the process of forming new belts takes a long time, it is important to protect the existing ones. They are crucial for the future of agriculture because they ensure the conservation of natural resources. Preservation of agricultural buffer zones should be a joint responsibility, not only of farmers, but of the entire community. After all, they directly affect the health of the environment and contribute to sustainable development.
The project activities are part of the wider initiative “One belt – multiple protection”, implemented by the Movement of the Highlanders of Novi Sad. It is implemented in cooperation with two other members of the PV Network: the Rural Center “Sova” from Sremska Mitrovica and the Association “Children’s Ecological Academy” from Novi Sad. These activities are part of the EKO SISTEM program, which is implemented by Young Researchers of Serbia with the support of Sweden. The goal of the project is to strengthen and preserve the existing agricultural protection belts, as well as to raise awareness of their importance in preserving the environment. The program supports education and activities that promote environmental awareness, sustainability and long-term land protection, thus enabling more stable and sustainable agricultural production.
Source: AgroTV
Source: boljazemlja.com
