SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

SUSTAINABLE SOILS AND CROPS

We focus our research on improved understanding of the complexity of arable and grassland production systems and what it means for practical land management, food production and environmental goals. 

The department has internationally-acknowledged expertise in the biology, chemistry and physics of soils and soil processes in arable and grassland systems. It has particular expertise in nutrient and pollutant cycling, the recycling of organic manures, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, soil-root interactions, soil and crop (including forage) modelling, soil erosion and nutrient loss, fine sediment dynamics and sediment-associated nutrient and contaminant fluxes at catchment and national scale. We have expertise in innovative crop breeding and in grazing systems, ruminant nutrition, and system economic evaluation with a growing capability in Life Cycle Assessment. We are signatories to the Concordat on Openness in Animal Research in the UK, more detail be found about our animal polices here.

PROJECTS

SCIENCE CLUSTERS

Surveillance and monitoring

AGRONOMY AND NUTRIENT FLOWS

It is essential to optimise the way crops and grassland are managed to enhance yield and nutrient value of produce.

Surveillance and monitoring

ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS AND MITIGATION

We are developing process understanding of N and C cycling to quantify and mitigate greenhouse gas and ammonia fluxes in agricultural systems

Surveillance and monitoring

ENVIRONMENT AND SYSTEMS MODELLING

Combining expertise in integrating empirical and modelling approaches to characterise agricultural impacts on resource sustainability and scope for mitigating those impacts

Surveillance and monitoring

GRAZING LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS

We are at a crucial time for livestock agriculture where we need to maximize production and minimize pollution, but great care must be taken when assessing systems due to the complexity of the algorithm required for sustainable intensification.

Surveillance and monitoring

SYSTEMS MODELLING

Our research focusses on evaluating the sustainability of modern agricultural practices and the trade-offs with the provision of environmental goods and services