Frederik Bøe

Research Scientist

(+47) 958 71 316
frederik.boe@nibio.no

Place
Ås O43

Visiting address
Oluf Thesens vei 43, 1433 Ås

Biography

Education:
PhD on the topic of soil health at Wageningen University and Research (2020–2025).

Master’s degree in Environment and Natural Resources with a specialization in environmental pollutants and ecotoxicology from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (2017).

Areas of Expertise:

  • Soil health

  • Documenting environmental effects of agricultural practices, with a focus on the transport of soil, nutrients, and pesticides in soil and water

  • Environmental measures in agriculture (cover crops, cultivation practices, buffer zones, etc.)

Selected Projects:

  • Norwegian Agricultural Environmental Monitoring Programme (JOVA).

  • Kjelle field trial plots (2014-), Direct seeding and cover crops to improve Norwegian soil health (JorNor) (2021-2023). 

  • EU projects: Precilience (2024-2028), TerraSafe (2024-2029), SoilCare (2016-2021).

Read more

Abstract

No abstract has been registered

To document

Abstract

Soils are the foundation of agricultural production, ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Bridging soil knowledge gaps and improving the knowledge system is crucial to meet the growing EU soil policy ambitions in the face of climate change and the ongoing trend in soil degradation. The objective of this article is to assess the current state of knowledge, knowledge use and knowledge gaps concerning sustainable soil management in Europe. This study is based on interviews with 791 stakeholders and 254 researchers and on a comprehensive review of >1800 documents carried out under the European Joint Programme on agricultural soils. Despite differences in stakeholder groups, the conclusions are rather consistent and complementary. We identified major knowledge gaps with respect to (1) soil carbon stocks, (2) soil degradation and fertility and (3) strategies for improved soil management. Transcending these three areas, particularly the loss of soil organic carbon, peatland degradation and soil compaction, are most critical, thus, we stress the urgency of developing more models and monitoring programmes on soils. Stakeholders further report that insufficient transfer of existing soil research findings to practitioners is a hindrance to the adoption of sustainable soil management practices. In addition to knowledge production, soil knowledge gaps may be addressed by considering seven recommendations from the stakeholders: (1) raising awareness, (2) strengthening knowledge brokers, (3) improving relevance of research activities and resource allocation for land users, (4) peer-to-peer communication, (5) targeting advice and information, (6) improving knowledge access, and (7) providing incentives. We argue that filling and bridging knowledge gaps should be a priority for policymakers and the insights provided in the article may help prioritise research and dissemination needs enabling a transition to more sustainable soil management in Europe.

Abstract

In high-latitude arable systems (63.9°N), short growing seasons and cold climates often constrain regenerative practices. This study investigates how cover crop (CC) diversity influences the synergy among root development, carbon (C) persistence, and nutrient (N and P) dynamics within a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)-oat (Avena sativa) rotation. Over three years, we evaluated a gradient of CC intercropping complexity using a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: (1) Control (barley/oat without NPK), (2) Biochar-Fertilizer (barley/oat + NPK + 1.8 Mg ha-1 year-1 biochar), (3) Monocrop (barley/oat), (4) Ryegrass (barley + ryegrass), (5) Clover (barley + ryegrass + white/red clover), and (6) Chicory (barley + ryegrass + red clover + chicory + bird’s-foot trefoil). We quantified root biomass, soil organic matter (SOM) fractions, specifically Mineral-Associated Organic Matter (MAOM) and Particulate Organic Matter (POM), aggregate stability, nutrient stocks, and microbial abundance via qPCR. The CCs sown shortly after barley were successfully established, with an average biomass of 1525 kg/ha, without compromising cereal yields, thereby confirming their viability in Nordic climates. A central finding was that root development served as the primary driver of organo-mineral associations. Ryegrass- and Clover-based systems produced significantly higher root biomass, which correlated strongly (p < 0.01) with MAOM stocks and total P acquisition. These systems stored 12 Mg/ha more MAOM-C and 1.1 Mg/ha more MAOM-N than the control at 0-20 cm depth. The inclusion of diverse functional traits in the complex five-species mixture significantly improved soil physical structure, yielding higher aggregate stability and lower bulk density. While CCs accumulated approximately 7 kg P/ha, the diverse mix optimized nutrient availability, whereas simpler mixtures showed higher C:P ratios, suggesting potential microbial P immobilization. Microbial abundance was consistently higher in multi-species treatments, indicating a more active biological environment. Ongoing analysis integrates cereal physiological data, focusing on the photosynthetic efficiency of oats in response to cultivation? regimes. Our findings bridge the gap between root morphology, plant physiology, and long-term SOM persistence, providing a strategic framework for using functional crop traits to enhance soil resilience and nutrient efficiency in cold-climate regions.

Abstract

Avrenningsforsøket på Kjelle (2014–2025) undersøker tap av jord og næringsstoffer fra flate kornarealer med under 2 % helling. Forsøket måler overflate- og grøfteavrenning for behandlingene høstpløying, vårpløying, høstkorn og høstsådd fangvekst. Målingene viser at grøfteavrenningen utgjorde om lag 80 % av den totale avrenningen, og var hovedveien for tap av både jord (62 %), fosfor (72 %) og nitrogen (84 %). Vårpløying viste seg samlet sett å være det mest effektive tiltaket, med lavest gjennomsnittlig tap av jord (23 kg/daa), totalfosfor (148 g/daa) og nitrogen (1,5 kg/daa). Dersom de to første årene utelates på grunn av nygrøfting, reduseres det gjennomsnittlige jord- og fosfortapet med henholdsvis 40 % og 20 %. Resultatene for 2024/2025 viser at høstsådd fangvekst (havre, vikker og fôrreddik) ga god beskyttelse mot erosjon og fosfortap, med verdier på nivå med eller bedre enn vanlig vårpløying. Fangvekst medførte imidlertid det høyeste nitrogentapet av samtlige behandlinger (over 1,6 kg N/daa), hvor nesten hele tapet skjedde gjennom drensgrøftene. Vårpløying var dermed det mest effektive tiltaket for å begrense nitrogentapet.

Abstract

Resultater fra elleve år med målinger på Kjelle på Bjørkelangen (2014–2025) viser at tidspunktet for jordarbeiding har avgjørende betydning for vannmiljøet, også på arealer med liten helling. Vårpløying (overvintring i stubb) reduserer tapet av partikkelbundet fosfor og jord sammenlignet med høstpløying. Forsøk med høstsådde fangvekster viser god erosjonsbeskyttelse, men indikerer samtidig risiko for mobilisering av løst fosfor og nitrogen gjennom fryse- og tineprosesser.