Ardo CSR rapport 2023 - Flipbook - Page 49
We are Ardo
The path to a more
sustainable food system
Minimal environmental
impact
Agronomy
MIMOSA+
Food safety, quality
and innovation
Respect for
our employees
Relationship with
our stakeholders
5 Plant nutrition – Reducing fertilisation
The use of nitrogen-based fertilisers in agriculture is associated with various
environmental issues, including greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation
and water pollution. Following our MIMOSA+ principles, we assist our
farmers in optimising crop yields and product quality while minimising the
use of mineral fertilisers.
Plant life and growth is based on the availability
Leguminous reduce the risk of excess nitrogen
of 14 elements, including nitrogen, potassium,
polluting the soil and groundwater. They
phosphate and many more. To optimise plant
require little or no nitrogen-based fertiliser,
growth, we need to find a good balance between
indirectly impacting our CO2eq emissions, as
these nutrients. However, the needs for these
the production of such fertilisers relies heavily
elements vary in time. Therefore, the challenge of
on fossil fuels. Additionally, the nitrogen-fixing
fertilisation is to coordinate nutrient availability
bacteria in the root nodules of these crops
with plant needs. Soil mineralisation is especially
allow them to convert atmospheric nitrogen into
difficult to predict and influenced by many
ammonia. It nourishes the plant and, in turn,
factors (organic matter content, pH, type of soil,
enriches the soil with nitrogen for subsequent
humidity, etc.).
crops.
Conducting regular soil analyses can help
Ultimately, it is our ambition to reduce the use of
optimise plant growth by avoiding unnecessary
fertiliser on all our crops to minimise the carbon
nutrient supply caused by uncoordinated
impact while still maximising crop yields.
fertilisation.
Our agronomist explains the importance of plant
nutrients during our Let's Meet in the Field event
Fe
Ca
B
Ni
P
S
Zn
Mo
N
At Ardo, over half of our growing area is
dedicated to peas, beans and soybeans.
These leguminous crops are considered
environmentally friendly for several reasons.
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Mg
Cl
Cu
K
Mn
The balance between nutrients is
essential for optimal growth
Good governance
