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Dr Kenneth Loades

2018 - In situ root identification through blade penetrometer testing - Part 2: field testing

Ken Loades

Ken Loades

 +44 (0)344 928 5428

  Kenneth.Loades@hutton.ac.uk

The James Hutton Institute
Invergowrie
Dundee DD2 5DA
Scotland UK

Biography

My own research includes the sustainable management of soils and the interaction between roots and soil for both soil stability and crop root performance. Soil is a finite resource which we therefore need to protect when you consider that 95% of our food comes from soil. However, the pressures from intensive food production and losses of soil through erosion means we must increase the sustainable management of our soils. Soils are critical for not only growing food but also filtering water and reducing flooding which requires management for many services they provide to the environment as a whole.  If you want to find out more then additional information can be found here

Communicating the importance of research is something that has always been important to me and something that is becoming increasingly important today. I have always actively participated in communicating science to everyone, from members of the public and school children to the larger scientific community and decision makers in relation to policy. More recently I am the Soils and Crops sector lead for the SEFARI Gateway, which enables me to communicate to wider audiences the importance and outputs from the Scottish Government funded research.

Research Papers (DOI)

Leading Ideas

  • Soil

Area of Strategic Research Programme

Further information the Scottish Government's Strategic Research Programme is available

  • Theme 2: Productive and sustainable land management and Rural Economies
  • 2.1 - Crop and Grassland Production and Disease Control
  • Theme 1: Natural Assets
  • 1.1 - Soils
  • 1.1.1 Soil and its ecosystem function
  • 1.1.2 Soil resilience to change
  • 1.4 - Integrated and Sustainable Management of Natural Assets
  • 1.4.2 Identifying and understanding multiple benefits and trade-offs

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