Further research project for the study of Pulp and Paper Mill Sludge as a Means of Water Protection in Agriculture funded by the Water Protection Programme. The project investigates the utilization of soil improvement fiber produced from fiber sludge from the forest industry as a means of water protection in crop cultivation.
The project has two parts. Monitoring continues in the Jokioinen field trial, which started after repeated fiber treatment in the fall of 2020. Some field plots received fiber in the fall of 2015 and 2020, and the rest are untreated control plots. Soil monoliths taken from the field are subjected to a rain simulation test, turbidity and nutrient concentrations are measured from the water filtered through the monoliths. In the experimental field, the effects of fiber on the soil and in plants are monitored.
In the Tuusulanjärvi catchment area, the concentrations of suspended solids and nutrients are monitored in the ditch water from the fields (80 ha) that received fiber treatment in the autumn of 2020 and 2021. The results are compared with the runoff results of the untreated catchment area. Water quality is monitored with continuous water quality meters. Monitoring is the responsibility of the Water Protection Association of Vantaanjoki and Helsinki Region.
Communicating the results to farmers and advisers as well as representatives of administration, research and agricultural education plays an important role in the project.
The fiber project is part of a project funded by the Ministry of the Environment and coordinated by the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), where Syke is responsible for structural lime studies.
The gypsum, fibre and structure lime guide for farmers
Gypsum, fiber and structure lime: Useful materials for farming and guidance
Soil improvement fibre increases the organic matter content of the field and improves its growing conditionsThe video is subtitled in English. You can change the subtitle language in the settings at the bottom of the video.
