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Abstract. An increasing challenge for agriculture in times of climate change is to sustainably ensure or increase the yield capacity of crop production. Low-yielding sites are particularly at risk in this respect.

One strategy to counteract is to promote the use of the subsoil through intensification of rooting. This article describes a technical procedure of strip-wise subsoil melioration with application of compost in a layer of 30-60 cm (www.soil3.de). These strips are each 30 cm wide and 70 cm apart. The hypothesis is that roots above and between these stripes grow inside the meliorated area and get access to water and nutrient stock. It should be an insurance for plants under dry conditions. After only one melioration longtime and sustainable effects regarding biomass and yield development are expected.

A technology has been developed for this patented process. The melioration is carried out in one pass by an implement in an arrangement of 3 rows resulting in a working width of 3 m.

In field trials, rotten bio-compost from households, green waste compost, and straw cuttings in three different ranges were tested. The melioration process was arranged in September / October. No additional soil preparation or other restrictions for farming is necessary.

Common crop crop-rotations with wheat, barley, oats, maize, and sugar beets have been cultivated. Results from multi-year field trials in different regions of Germany verify yield increases of up to 20% still 6 years after melioration. An overview of these trials and results will be presented.