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Soy in 1000 gardens
A citizen science project that aims to build a large collection of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that can help farm soy in Flanders.
The power of soy beans
Soybean is one of the most important plant derived protein sources for food and feed. In addition, soybean cultivation also improves soil quality and reduces nitrogen pollution making it a sustainable crop. However, it is currently challenging to cultivate soy in Belgium with an acceptable yield, in part because soybean requires interaction with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. No commercially available bacterial inoculants are endemic and are therefore not adapted to the Belgian soil and environmental conditions.
1000 gardens
In this project, we engage 1000 citizens to grow soy in their own garden. We will isolate endogenous Rhizobium bacteria from soy plants grown in Belgian soil and integrate data regarding soil type, microorganisms, and soy variety for the development and implementation of guidelines on optimal cultivation methods for soy in our region. In the long-term, this should help to produce tailor-made seeds inoculated with nitrogen fixating bacteria that are adapted to local soil conditions and can improve soy yields.
In addition, this project aims to improve public know how and awareness about the benefits of legumes for health, sustainable gardening, and agriculture.