Biology of Soil Compaction Leading Edge
Soil compaction is a major problem on all agricultural soils. For years, agricultural engineers said that soil compaction was a result of heavy wheel traction. They were partially correct. Tillage and destruction of the soil structure is the major cause of soil compaction but really this is a biological problem caused by a lack of living roots in the soil. The turnover of soil roots increase soil organic matter (SOM), allowing soil particles to form macroaggregates.
Using Cover Crops to Convert to No-till
For years, farmers have struggled to make no-till farming work. Typically, it can take 7 to 9 years to convert from conventional tillage to no-till. Today, we know that no-till is only maybe 40% of the solution. The other 60% involves improving soil health by using cover crops to convert to no-till.
Understanding Soil Microbes and Nutrient Recycling
Soil health is all about feeding the plants using soil microbes. Soil microbes in a conventional till soil are dominated by bacteria while healthy soils have a balance of fungus and bacteria. Each soil microbe is a soluble bag of fertilizer and there are 1,000 to 2,000X more microbes around healthy roots than there are in the bulk soil without roots.
Sustainable Crop Rotations with Cover Crops
The most common question I get almost every day is what cover crop is the best, or what cover crops should I use on my farm? This fact sheet evaluates several crop rotations and shows how cover crops can be used in each one.
Improving Water Quality using Cover Crops
Eutrophication (excess phosphorus in Lake Erie and Chesapeake Bay) and hypoxia (too much nitrogen in the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico) are common and growing environmental problems facing farmers today. All soluble nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are tied up by plant roots and soil organic matter. The Chesapeake Bay region has improved water quality by 42% in the last 10 to 15 years.