Smart farming for sustainable soils

LIST scientists and Luxembourg farmers are working hand in hand to test smart cropping practices that could reduce emissions, build healthier soils and improve resilience to drought – all through real-world testing on local farms.

How can farmers maintain productivity while preserving soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions? This is the core question of the ADAPT research project carried out by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) in partnership with the University of Aberdeen.

Innovative cropping to build soil resilience

At the heart of the project lies the concept of “smart cropping”: combining legumes and cereals in new ways to increase soil carbon storage and improve resilience to drought. The research team is investigating whether such combinations can increase soil organic carbon (SOC), reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as nitrous oxide (N₂O) and maintain yield even in drier years.

But measuring changes in soil carbon is notoriously difficult and slow. Consequently, the researchers are combining monthly gas measurements in the field with biological indicators in the lab, laying the groundwork for future modelling at the national scale.

“This is not just about reducing emissions. It’s also about enhancing soil fertility and resilience, so that farmers can continue producing in a changing climate,” said Kate Buckeridge, Principal Investigator of the project at LIST.

Farming innovation rooted in real-world conditions

Funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and the Ministry of Agriculture, ADAPT is undertaking an innovative approach by shifting away from controlled environments and instead testing its methods directly on the fields of two farmers, one in the north and one in the south of Luxembourg.

“Thanks to the strong support of the farmers, we can address their challenges and assess the potential of these practices under real-life conditions. This approach is essential to understanding not only the scientific impacts but also the practical realities that the farmers themselves face,” explains Kate Buckeridge.

A long-term view that is grounded in science

Running until 2026, ADAPT aims to build robust, objective knowledge on how smart cropping strategies could be applied across Luxembourg’s agricultural systems, considering both environmental impacts and on-the-ground feasibility.

“Our role is to produce science-based insights that are reliable and relevant,” added Kate Buckeridge. “By working directly with farmers, we can test what’s practical and evaluate both the benefits and the constraints.”

ADAPT reflects LIST’s commitment to supporting a climate-smart agricultural transition—through innovation that begins in the soil and grows from the field up.

Learn more: www.list.lu/en/research/project/adapt