Access to experimental cultivation fields - Ruukki

The experimental fields for cultivation enable plot- and strip-scale research on peat, organic, and mineral soils. These fields support a wide range of trials, such as grass and crop experiments focusing on different plant species, varieties, fertilizers, or soil amendments.

The experimental fields are divided into mineral soils (approx. 29 ha), organic soils (13 ha), and organic farming plots (4 ha). Basic soil analyses and nutrient reserves are determined every five years, providing a basis for selecting suitable areas for fertilizer trials, for example.

Water regulation and drainage research can be conducted on a 6 ha plot, which includes 2 ha sections with conventional drainage, controlled drainage, and sub-irrigation systems. One of the mineral soil fields is under organic cultivation, allowing for organic variety trials.

Field-appropriate cultivation and harvesting equipment is available for research trials. Equipment testing is also possible on the experimental fields.

Each trial and its implementation are negotiated separately. The service may include, by agreement, trial planning, field treatment and cultivation, yield monitoring, harvesting, and measurements according to the research plan. Research data is delivered as agreed.

Soil samples, plant samples, yield measurements, and greenhouse gas measurements as agreed.

Researchers, research groups, research communities, research networks, research projects, research organizations, companies.

• Physical, remote or hybrid access.
• Minimum reservation duration: one growing season.
• Shorter durations are possible for equipment testing.

• Importing plant diseases, pests, and GMO plant material into the area is only allowed in accordance with legislation and through separate case-by-case negotiations.
• Importing harmful invasive species is prohibited, and the import of other non-native species must be agreed upon separately.
• Use of chemicals must be negotiated separately (only permitted substances or those approved for testing).
• Plant health of plant materials brought in from elsewhere must always be verified with plant health certificates.
• Research must not cause long-term harm or reduce the usability of the infrastructure after the study period.
• Modifications must be made taking drainage into account.

• Desired soil type, nutrient levels, previous crop, fertilization, plant protection, and number or timing of harvests.
• Required samples before, during, and after the trial.
• Number of treatments and replications.
• Required observations and measurements during the trial.