Study Site Trials
The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below:
| General Treatment Category | Study Site Trials |
| Soil-improving crops, Sowing management |
1. Early sowing of wheat (August vs September vs end of October) (2019)
|
| Cover crops, | 2. Cover crops interseeded between maize (2020) |
Study Site poster 2018, Study Site poster 2019
SICS1 :- Early sowing in winter wheat |
|
Early sowing of wheat |
|
SICS2:- Interseeding covers crops in maize |
|
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Read this fact sheet in French here |
Geographical Description
The Study Site is located in the Linon catchment area, in the north of the Ille-et-Vilaine county, in the eastern part of Brittany. It is around 304 km² in size with about 20,000 hectares of total cultivated area. The Linon river is 33 km long. The geology of the area is quite heterogeneous comprising of alternating brioverian schists, silt and granite subsoil.
The Linon catchment descends east to its confluence with the Rance river, where its altitude is about 10 meters. Its maximum altitude is about 175 meters, in the south and east part. The Linon catchment is subject to an oceanic climate, with an average of 750 mm rainfall per year.
Pedo-climatic zone
Lusitanian/ Atlantic Central, Cambisol
Cropping systems
The Linon catchment area has 413 farms and it is mainly a dairy area. There are 18 farms turned to organic production in the area (2017). FRAB and their local partner Agrobio35 are working on soils with more or less 15 farms in this area (organic and conventional).
Wheat, maize and grassland: the territory has mainly traditional dairy systems, grassland systems and maize-based systems. Grasslands are particularly important in the north-east and south-west parts of the area, whereas a central part is dominated by crops (maize and wheat).
Management of soil, water, nutrients and pests
There is no irrigation in this area. Management of soils and nutrients depends on the farms, whether they are in conventional or organic farming. GAB-FRAB network is trying to promote organic methods, as organic fertilisation, mechanical weeding, rotations.
Soil improving cropping system and techniques currently used
Biological pest management, green manure, organic fertilisers.
Problems that cause yield loss or increased costs
Compaction, weeds, loss of soil fertility.
