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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Spécificité des besoins de recherche sur la qualité des sols en Agriculture Biologique. Bilan d’un séminaire transdisciplinaire INRA-ITAB

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In November 2018, ITAB (Institute of Agriculture and Organic Food) and INRA (National Institute for Agronomic Research) organized a transdisciplinary seminar to bring together stakeholders to: i) share issues associated with soil management in Organic Farming (OF) systems, ii) collectively define the main research questions to be addressed; and iii) facilitate the construction of networks or projects. More than 150 participants attended the seminar, which was designed using the method of citizen facilitation of the community forum type (Town Hall Meeting) allowing all parties to express themselves and a live summary by experts. The seminar identified important knowledge gaps on soils in OF systems and research needs. The 20 questions resulting from these exchanges relate to: i) the overall functioning of soils, more particularly the major biogeochemical cycles Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus (CNP) and biological interactions; ii) the long-term effects of agricultural practices more or less specific to OF systems; (iii) soil protection; and iv) soil diagnostic and management tools. Most of the issues identified are generic and require multidisciplinary research, especially when responding to systemic issues. The seminar identified needs in terms of device and research observatory that provide the references necessary to validate or adapt to OF systems the tools and methods of evaluation and soil management available for conventional systems. The main questions identified during the seminar are discussed and confronted with recent dynamics in terms of soil research and development.