1. www.gwpcee.org
Drought management by
agricultural practices and
measures increasing soil water
holding capacity (Activity 5.1.)
by Pavol Bielek (activity leader)

2. IDMP CEE Final Workshop; 21-22 April, 2015, Bucharest, RomaniaApril 20152 www.gwpcee.org
Activity leader, partners, duration
Pavol Bielek : activity leader (Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia)
Partners : J. Hladík (Research Foresth Institute for Soil and Water Conservation, Praha, Czech Republic), A. Kedziora
(Institut of Agricultural and Forest Environment, Poznan, Poland), P.Bielek (Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra,
Slovakia), R. Mihelic (University of Ljubliana, Ljubliana, Slovenia)
Duration : 2013 - 2015
The main challenges. To bring verified ideas for water retention increase
by measures of soil using in agriculture as mittigation activity against
drought and floods as well. Applicable everywhere in agricultural country.
Objectives. From field experiments (in 4 countries) to bring results on soil
water holding capacity increase by: (1)subsoiling, (2) organic matter
application into the soil, (3) conservation tillage to the deep of 10 cm, (4)
composting tillage and (5) no-till farming.
Basic information

3. IDMP CEE Final Workshop; 21-22 April, 2015, Bucharest, RomaniaApril 20153 www.gwpcee.org
1.Published 2 articles in newspaper (Rolnícke noviny,
2013, 2014 SK) focused on support of soil water
holding capacity increase.
2.Organized one day expert meeting on „Water in the
country) in Prague (Czech Rep., 2014).
3.Book published on „Compendium to practically
oriented soil Science“, (author P.Bielek), Nitra, SK, 244
pp., partly focused on targeted problems.
4. Problems are incorporated into the university study
(Nitra, SK – PhD study, student works, lectures).
Implementation process

4. IDMP CEE Final Workshop; 21-22 April, 2015, Bucharest, RomaniaApril 20154 www.gwpcee.org
1. Theoretical background study focused on soil water holding
capacity increase.
2. Design of technology how to increase the soil water holding
capacity by specific methods of soil use (in project verified
farming systems).
3. Proposals how to extend obtained results in larger territories
(best is using of soil information systems to identify needs).
4. Proposals how to organize extention and support systems of
implementations on national and international levels (EU).
5. All is presented in national and in joint final reports.
Final outputs

5. IDMP CEE Final Workshop; 21-22 April, 2015, Bucharest, RomaniaApril 20155 www.gwpcee.org
Till now, verified approaches (subsoiling mainly)
have been recommended only for use in specific
conditions of extremly heavy soils. It was proposed
from agricultural plant production point of view (no
as water regimes regulations). Also another verified
measures have not been tested enough on soil
water holding problems.
There is new idea to use proposed measures as
water management practices by activities of farmers
and to support of farmers by sector of agriculture.
Added value

6. IDMP CEE Final Workshop; 21-22 April, 2015, Bucharest, RomaniaApril 20156 www.gwpcee.org
1. Soil survey data must be collected with respect to
proposed technologies.
2. Maps and information systems have to be designed
for implementations.
3. Results need to be transfered to agricultural
extention services on regional and national levels.
4. Proposed technologies need to be implemented
into the water management plans as significant
activities of farmers.
Lessons learned and transferability

7. IDMP CEE Final Workshop; 21-22 April, 2015, Bucharest, RomaniaApril 20157 www.gwpcee.org
Existing field experiments can be used for the future by
everybody who want to use it (researchers, students, etc.)
• Computerized information systems creation for propose of
technologies use on country levels. Principles must be
generalized on international levels (as continuing of this
project).
• Handbook on soil water holding capacity increase must be
published for general use by decission makers and farmers
(as continued activity of this project).
• Proposal for policy regulations and subsidiary systems on EU
and national levels is necessary to prepare and recommend
(as continued activity of this project).
Follow up

8. IDMP CEE Final Workshop; 21-22 April, 2015, Bucharest, RomaniaApril 20158 www.gwpcee.org
If you do what you always did, you will get
what you always got.
Henry Ford
We want to thank for GWP Project which enabled a little
accept this excellent idea.
Participants of the 5.1.Activity