Farming Today This Week

Charlotte discovers some of the hidden complexities of the soil and finds out how growing food can put it under pressure, at the National Soil Resources Institute in Bedfordshire. Professor Jane Rickson, from the Institute, discusses how tilling soils can lead to erosion and compaction, and we hear how some farmers are moving away from traditional ploughing to avoid these problems. Professor Rickson also explains that the Institute is searching for new fertilisers to replace those made using finite resources like minerals and natural gas. And, she reveals why she gets excited about earthworms.

Presenter: Charlotte Smith
Producer: Sarah Swadling.