How can we improve soil organic matter content in the Mediterranean region in a cost-effective way? What new solutions for securing soil functionality and soil fertility can be proposed in this regard? 

The EIP-AGRI Focus Group on soil organic matter content (SOM) in Mediterranean regions brought together 19 experts to find an answer to these questions. They started their work in January 2014 and delivered the final report in March 2015. 

The group started with a comprehensive survey of techniques for increasing SOM content and/or securing soil functionality and fertility, analyzing their pros and cons, dividing them in five clusters of practices: 

• optimized use of resources of organic carbon 
• optimized soil management 
• optimized crop selection and management 
• possible use of bio effectors and microbial inoculants 

• development of tools to properly assess the soil organic matter (SOM) content and soil quality, with a special focus on its biological component