For today’s farmer, visual assessment or an annual soil analysis alone is no longer enough – fields require more precise and continuous monitoring. One of the key processes that determines both yield and quality is soil mineralisation. By understanding how nutrients are released in the soil and when they become available to crops, fertilisation can be made smarter, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
What is mineralisation?
Mineralisation is a natural process in which the nutrients contained in organic matter are released into plant-available forms through the activity of soil microorganisms. The speed of mineralisation depends on several factors: temperature, moisture, soil aeration, soil pH, and the quantity and quality of organic matter. In temperate climates, mineralisation is seasonal. With Paul-Tech’s soil station, it is possible to monitor this process in real time.
For farmers, understanding mineralisation is essential as it helps optimise fertiliser use and improve soil fertility.
How does monitoring mineralisation help farmers?
Savings can be made on fertilising autumn-sown crops by knowing the nutrient status of the soil before sowing. Paul-Tech’s soil station provides this overview through nutrient and NO₃-N graphs (see figure). Pre-sowing mineralisation appears on the graphs once crops have used up the applied fertiliser and their growth slows down. At this stage, ageing plants begin to break down. The effects of previous crop residues and manure are also visible. Under favourable temperature and moisture conditions, organic matter decomposes quickly.
The type of crop also matters: nitrogen is released rapidly from legume residues, followed by brassicas, while cereal residues take longer to break down.
If noticeable increases in nutrient levels occur before harvest, the nitrogen requirements for the next crop can be reduced significantly. Excess nitrogen can weaken winter crop survival and, if not taken up by plants, will be leached from the soil. Where spring crops follow in the rotation, the nitrogen released through mineralisation can be retained in the field with cover crops.
Summary
Monitoring the process of mineralisation is an essential tool in modern agriculture, helping farmers work more knowledgeably, efficiently, and sustainably. Paul-Tech’s soil station provides valuable support here, enabling you to track mineralisation across seasons and fields, and make decisions based on facts rather than assumptions. Real-time data gives you the confidence that your field is getting exactly what it needs – no more and no less.
👉 Want to see how Paul-Tech’s soil station can help you track mineralisation and other soil processes? Book a free demo with us, and we’ll find the right solution for your fields.