Soil Care for profitable and sustainable crop production in Europe

European crop production is facing the challenge to remain competitive, while at the same time reducing negative environmental impacts. Currently, production levels in some cropping systems are maintained by increased input (e.g. nutrients and pesticides) and technology, which masks losses in productivity due to reduced soil quality (Reeves 1997; Jones et al. 2012). Such increased use of agricultural inputs may reduce profitability due to their costs, while also negatively affecting the environment, both due to unsustainable use of energy and resources in producing inputs (Rockström et al., 2009) and as a consequence of their application. The quality of agricultural land is also threatened by human action, leading to, often subtle and gradual, physical, chemical and biological degradation of the soil (Attard et al. 2011; Cassman 1999; Gasso et al 2013; Sapkota et al. 2012). This includes soil threats such as erosion, compaction, salinization, soil pollution, loss of organic matter and loss of soil biodiversity. Soil improvement is necessary to break the negative spiral of degradation, increased inputs, increased costs and damage to the environment (Sørensen et al. 2014).