András Makó, a researcher of the Soil Physics and Water Management Department, successfully applied for the basic research OTKA tender announced by NKFIH with the research plan "Development of new soil structure indicators to characterize the hydrophysical effects of soil degradation processes", for which we congratulate.

“Erroneous farming practices and land use, or even the various pollutants emitted, have a negative impact on our natural resources. In our research, we intend to study changes in the water management properties of soils among the wide range of environmental impacts in five soil degradation processes (acidification, alkalisation, prolonged water cover and/or frequent drying-wetting cycles, contamination with surfactants). As a result of the research work, we can expect to be able to better explain the complex relationship between the structural condition of the soil and the water management properties of the soil in addition to the selected soil degradation processes. We also want to draw practical conclusions and advice on the conservation of soil structure in order to promote sustainable water management."