Overview

Delta-T Devices' PR2 profile probe was used by Cranfield University to explore the effects of various tillage regimes on water movement through soil.

Project detail

Matt Pitt has a deep interest in modelling hydraulic data and is part-way through a fascinating PhD project centred on the ways in which various tillage regimes affect the long-term properties of soil.

“My research aims to assess if non-inversion tillage practices improve water transport in soil during and near saturation – where percolation leads to recharge” explains Matt. “Such improvements (if found) may aid water movement during rainy season to prevent waterlogging, increase recharge to aquifers and reduce water loss off-site.”

Matt’s investigations are taking place in the Southeast of England where climate change and population increases are creating critical environmental and water industry challenges. 32% of the UK’s land is arable and therefore optimising water regulation within agricultural soils is an important factor in securing future water supplies and environmental protection.

Matt continues, “The UK Government’s recent Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme has actively encouraged reduced tillage practices – and any empirical evidence we can find of the long-terms benefits of this approach may help achieve increased adoption.”

His PhD is being partly sponsored by large water supplier Affinity Water who are interested in potentially using Matt’s findings to further enhance their own sophisticated water dynamics / availability modelling.