Work Package 3. Explore and model the physical and biological architecture of soils and the spatio-temporal interactions between soil-inhabiting organisms (including plants), molecules and particles.

PIs: Andy Whitmore and Richard Whalley

Key hypotheses: Soil strength reduces the ability of plants to efficiently utilise nutrients. The physical environment in the rhizosphere can be manipulated to minimize yield losses.

Key targets:

• Develop a methodology for distinguishing between hypotheses using models.
• Develop new concepts on how to integrate physical stress over the growing season.
• Quantify the effects of soil strength on plant productivity.
• Develop a coupled physically-based model of nutrient and DOC/DON dynamics in soil.

This WP explores and models the behaviour of agricultural ecosystems in relation to (i) the physical architecture of soils, (ii) the spatio-temporal interactions between soil-inhabiting organisms (including plants), molecules and particles (including water and water-borne pollutants), and (iii) biogeochemical cycles across a range of scales from rhizosphere through catchment to global to elucidate and model the quantitative links between land management activities and emissions to air and water. It will make use of the long-term field resources held at Rothamsted and provide understanding that underpins the provision of a wide range of economically important ecosystem services from UK soils.

The WP has 2 key components:

1. The role of soil strength in determining soil quality and function, especially in plant productivity.
2. Modelling soil physical and biogeochemical processes.