Diversified rotations & bio-based fertilisers at long-term experiment farms (UK)

Three contrasting sites: Harpenden (Hertfordshire), Brooms Barn (Suffolk) and North Wyke (Devon). Varied soil types (clay loam, sandy loam), cropping systems (wheat, oats, oilseed rape) and fertiliser regimes (mineral, farmyard manure, bio-fertiliser). 

To use existing long-term experimental farms in the UK to test diversified crop rotations, cover crops, organic vs mineral fertilisers, tillage regimes and bio-based fertilisers (including phosphorus from animal by-products) towards nutrient-smart agriculture. 

The UK sites are part of long‐term experiments (some over 170 years old) that provide rich baseline data on nutrient cycling, soil structure, organic amendments vs fertilisers, and now serve to test nature-based innovations in diversified rotations and circular nutrient sources. 

Part of the trans4num project funded by the European Union. 

Insights into nutrient use efficiency, soil health, circular fertiliser flows (animal by-product bio-fertiliser), maintenance of yields under diversified rotations, engagement of farmers via workshops and demonstration sites. 

• Crop rotations and use of cover crops & green manure (LSRE) in Harpenden and Brooms Barn. 
• Farmyard manure application efficiency: via mobile app “Farm Crap App” to calculate nutrient inputs, testing manure + mineral vs mineral alone.
• Bio-fertiliser derived from abattoir by-products (animal bones) at North Wyke in partnership with Elemental Ltd — testing versus conventional fertilisers.
• Stakeholder engagement: farmer workshops, site visits, online events on soil health, pests, compost management. 

The UK’s long-term experimental systems combined with nature-based nutrient innovations provide transferable knowledge for intensive arable systems globally, linking research with farmer adoption and circular fertiliser pathways. 

Year 1 weather setbacks (drought followed by flooding) impacted trial performance, but early indicators show compost additions increased soil organic carbon and biological activity; the novel bio-fertiliser performed comparably to conventional fertilisers.

Rothamsted Research

1. Rothamsted Research 

   Simon Willcock

   simon.willcock@rothamsted.ac.uk

The UK NBS sites under the trans4num project include three locations: Rothamsted Research main research farm (Harpenden, Hertfordshire), a site at Brooms Barn (Suffolk) and another at North Wyke (Okehampton, Devon). The work is building on long‐term crop rotation experiments (LSRE) and is testing diversified rotations, cover crops, organic vs mineral fertilisers, soil tillage options, and a novel phosphorus-rich bio-fertiliser derived from abattoir by-products. Early field trials face climatic challenges but show promising results in compost addition, soil carbon and biological activity.