February 24, 2025
Soils provide the foundation for productive and sustainable farming systems. By analyzing the different properties of soils in farm fields, scientists can identify management practices that will improve the health and quality of crops or make them more susceptible to pests and contaminants. Using these insights, they can provide specific recommendations to farmers on how to improve the health of their soils and crops.
To meet this goal, members of the Nexus Organic Farming Systems (OFS) project collected soil samples from a diverse set of fitotoldos across the Colca Valley, and from their on-farm research trials investigating different types of soil amendments. The samples were shipped to Purdue University in the United States where scientists are now evaluating a diverse set of soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Results will be shared with participating farmers and used to develop training programs that will help all farmers in the Colca River Valley.
Lori Hoagland
Professor, Purdue University
Horticulture And Landscape Architecture
Nexus Institute Co-Director
E-mail: c4e-nexus@purdue.edu
Walter Daniel Leon-Salas
Associate Professor, Purdue University
Purdue Polytechnic Institute
Nexus Institute Co-Director
E-mail: c4e-nexus@purdue.edu
Dennis Macedo
Associate Professor, UNSA
Agronomy
Nexus Institute Co-Director
E-mail: dmacedova@unsa.edu.pe