Laboratory results from soil tests 2020

Soil samples were taken from the Syntropic Agriculture research site in the summer of 2020 (at a depth of 0-20cm) and compared with samples from a neighbours land (which is under traditional BAU practice of annual tillage). Both sites are part of a local system of ancient almond terraces. The neighbouring land conditions are very similar to those we began with before implementing Syntropic Agriculture in 2017. After hundreds of years of almond cultivation in this area, most of the local farms have been abandoned. The soil has degraded from so many years of agricultural exploitation, local farmers can no longer make a living off almond production and the price of labour for harvesting and processing almonds is too high. Syntropic Agriculture was implemented here to research methods of regenerating the land and local ecosystem, presenting an alternative for these abandoned terraces and along with improving production. Below we present the results of soil samples taken after 3 years under Syntropic Agriculture. The Syntropic trial shows significant increase of C stock of 14.08 tC.ha-1 over 3 years along with other changes in fertility.

Neighbouring Almond Terrace

Multiple soil samples taken in June 2020 from an almond terrace next to our farm which is currently abandoned although still ploughed every year. Results show organic matter content, fertility, micro-elements and physical characteristics (unfortunately gravel size test results were unavailable)

La Loma Viva Almond Terrace - Syntropic Agriculture research site

Multiple soil samples taken from 0-20cm depth on part of an almond terrace that was converted to Syntropic Agriculture in April 2017. Results show organic matter, fertility, micro-elements and physical characteristics in summer 2020.