Researchers from the Estonian University of Life Sciences are participating in the international MultiSoil project, which aims to improve soil health and support sustainable agriculture across Europe.
Coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), the project brings together 15 partners from eight countries. Estonian partners include the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, and the University of Tartu.
The goal of MultiSoillink opens in new page is to develop and test agricultural practices that improve soil and plant health, support biodiversity, and help reduce the use of chemical plant protection products. The project combines scientific research, field trials, and stakeholder engagement to create practical solutions that farmers can apply in their daily work.
Activities in Estonia focus mainly on soil health issues related to potato, maize, and cereal cultivation. In cooperation with agricultural companies, several demonstration trials will be established to compare different cultivation technologies, variety mixtures, and green manure crops, as well as to assess their impact on soil condition and plant health.
“For farmers, it is important to find science-based and practical solutions that help maintain soil fertility while coping with climate risks and the limited use of plant protection products,” said Kaire Loit, Associate Professor of Molecular Phytopathology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
Comprehensive soil monitoring will be carried out at the trial sites, and drones equipped with multispectral cameras will be used to assess plant health. Farmers, advisors, and other stakeholders will be actively involved in the project to ensure that the developed solutions meet the needs of Estonian agriculture as effectively as possible.
The project runs from 1 September 2025 to 28 February 2030 and is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.
Agricultural producers can join the project activities by filling out a registration formlink opens in new page.
More information: www.multisoil.eulink opens in new page
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Associate Professor in Molecular Phytopathology
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