Institute of Forest Ecology
Topic
Regenerative agroforestry farming as a means of climate change mitigation? Analysis of carbon and nitrogen cycling in the field
PhD. program
Ecology and Biodiversity Protection
Year of admission
2026
Name of the supervisor
Ing. Peter Ferus, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen
Annotation
Regenerative farming, characteristic with no-tillage approach and permanent plant cover, represents an effective means for organic carbon accumulation in the soil, hence reduction of its turn-over to carbon dioxide. Then, minimal application of mineral fertilizers in this farming system puts a pressure on decrease of ineffective nitrogen loss through nitrous oxide, further important green-house gas. Moreover, introduction of woody components (alley cropping agroforestry) can multiply this positive effect on the element cycling. This dissertation concentrates on study of GHG reduction potential of an original regenerative agroforestry model based on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.). Evaluation of the carbon accumulation in the plant production, its proportion remaining in the field (harvest rests, leaf shed) and decomposition rate (CO2, CH4), is particularly aimed. Furthermore, attention to the soil nitrogen dynamics, fixation and loss in the gaseous form (N2, N2O, NH3) in the course of season/rotation, will also be given.