Fuchsenbigl
The Fuchsenbigl Field Station is an agricultural long-term research infrastructure located in Austria, including several field experiments. Current research objectives are the investigation of soils (e.g. soil organic matter and nutrient dynamics) and crops affected by different soil management (e.g. tillage, mineral and organic fertilization). Cultivated crops include cereals (e.g. winter wheat, barley, rye), sugar beet, maize and potatoes.
The objective of the chosen field experiment for the BENCHMARKS case study site is the assessment of the effects of different tillage intensities/practices.
Local focus
Long-term tillage field experiment established in 1988, with a randomised block design with three replicates (plot size 720m2), that investigates the following tillage treatments:
- Conventional tillage (CT): regular mouldboard ploughing to 25-30 cm soil depth in autumn
- Reduced tillage (RT): soil treatment with cultivator to a depth of 15-20 cm in autumn
- Minimum tillage (MT): soil treatment with rotary-driller to a depth of 5-8 cm
Data collected at the site
- Chemical soil data: pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (Nt), cation exchange capacity (CEC), carbonate content, plant available nutrients phosphorous and potassium (P, K)
- Physical soil data: texture, bulk density, aggregate stability, water capacity, pore volume, water permeability
- Biological soil data: substrate induced respiration, potential nitrogen mineralization
- Crop data: yields, nutrient contents
Update
The second sampling session took place in March 2025. It was an intense two-day effort, but the team truly enjoyed the experience — as you can see in our update on LinkedIn AGES BENCHMARKS Sampling.
Fuchsenbigl
The Fuchsenbigl Field Station is an agricultural long-term research infrastructure located in Austria, including several field experiments. Current research objectives are the investigation of soils (e.g. soil organic matter and nutrient dynamics) and crops affected by different soil management (e.g. tillage, mineral and organic fertilization). Cultivated crops include cereals (e.g. winter wheat, barley, rye), sugar beet, maize and potatoes.
The objective of the chosen field experiment for the BENCHMARKS case study site is the assessment of the effects of different tillage intensities/practices.
Local focus
Long-term tillage field experiment established in 1988, with a randomised block design with three replicates (plot size 720m2), that investigates the following tillage treatments:
- Conventional tillage (CT): regular mouldboard ploughing to 25-30 cm soil depth in autumn
- Reduced tillage (RT): soil treatment with cultivator to a depth of 15-20 cm in autumn
- Minimum tillage (MT): soil treatment with rotary-driller to a depth of 5-8 cm
Data collected at the site
- Chemical soil data: pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (Nt), cation exchange capacity (CEC), carbonate content, plant available nutrients phosphorous and potassium (P, K)
- Physical soil data: texture, bulk density, aggregate stability, water capacity, pore volume, water permeability
- Biological soil data: substrate induced respiration, potential nitrogen mineralization
- Crop data: yields, nutrient contents
Update
The second sampling session took place in March 2025. It was an intense two-day effort, but the team truly enjoyed the experience — as you can see in our update on LinkedIn AGES BENCHMARKS Sampling.
AGES Tillage Trial (In German)
Soil profile chernozem (In German)
Physical soil properties in the Fuchsenbigl trial (In German)
