Low pH Low EC High OM content High C:P High C:N Low concentration of heavy metals

1. Valorisation of sod-cuttings and choppedmaterial from nature management: Opportunities for potting media, composting or as a soil improver Viaene J., Reubens B., Vandecasteele B., Willekens K., De Neve S. Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 109, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumGhent University, Department of Soil Management, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium • Sod-cuttings and choppedmaterial= by-productsfrom naturemanagement • Highervalorisationpotential? • Potential resource foragriculture? • Science & stakeholder driven research to guarantee market introduction OBJECTIVE Sod-cuttingsfromheathland Multiple stakeholder meetings identify: 1. Possibleapplications & requirements • 2. Stumblingblocks to on-farmcomposting • Quantity, availability and geographic location • Need for specialised equipment • Large time and work investment • Unclear legislation • 3. Benefits of compostingsod-cuttings and choppedmaterial • Solution forshortage of C-richfeedstockmaterials • Improves OM content of the soil but avoidsnutrientleaching Chopperedmaterialfromheathland Aftersieving: fraction > 20 mm METHODOLOGY & RESULTS Aftersieving: fraction 2 - 20 mm Aftersieving: fraction < 2 mm Physico-chemical analysis  stablematerials! • Low pH • Low EC • High OM content • High C:P • High C:N • Low concentration of heavy metals • Low potentialbiodegradation needtobe mixed withothermaterials in compost • Immobilisation of mineral N  canbeapplied to avoidnutrientleaching Sod-cuttings and choppedmaterial • High OM content • High C:N • High C:P Supply LogisticsLegislation/policyEconomicfeasibility  Improve OM content of arablesoils • Avoidnutrientleaching • Soilimproverswith high C:P Demand ? ? Nature conservationareas Agriculture CONCLUSION Further experiments will be performed to test the potential of these materials as feedstock for on-farm composting (technical research) and the potential for cooperation between stakeholders from nature management and agriculture (socio-economic research). This research is one case study within the participative GENESYS-project where a similar approach is followed for different organic by-products. jarinda.viaene@ilvo.vlaanderen.bewww.ilvogenesys.be