On October 24th, the National Institute of Horticultural Research (InHort) held a conference titled “Innovations in Ecological Plant Cultivation,” organized in a hybrid format from Skierniewice, Poland. The event began with a warm welcome from Professor Dorota Konopacka, who introduced the main topic of the conference.
From the Excalibur project, the results of the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for soil quality assessment were presented to approximately 370 professionals, including farmers, agricultural advisors, researchers, and representatives from manufacturing companies, who attended the conference both in person and online. Prof. Eligio Malusà showcased a multivariate analysis approach (SIMCA) applied to soil data for developing a DSS capable of classifying soil quality. The audience expressed significant interest in how the biological characteristics of the soil, specifically the size and biodiversity of the nematode population, could influence soil quality assessment.
The questions posed by participants regarding the availability of the QR code used to present the analysis results and classify soil quality underscored the value of this straightforward and practical tool.
Undoubtedly, this event has become one of the most significant platforms for exchanging ideas and experiences in the realm of innovative solutions for organic farming.
