Download HEALTHY SOIL, Healthy soil…

Healthy soil…
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HEALTHY SOIL,
HEALTHY PLANTS
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Rich Tobiasz
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“NATURAL” SYSTEMS
1. Soil and soil nutrients
A. Nutrient cycle
B. Timing of application
C. The role of cover crops
D. Air and water
2. Bacteria, fungi (decomposition); fungi (mycorrhiza for
nutrient absorption
3. Worms-decomposition
4. Beneficial insects: Seed predation
5. Crop rotation
6. Intercropping
FOREST & PRAIRIE SOIL
Provides a medium for good root growth
Provides adequate nutrients for plant uptake
Provides an opportunity for mycorhizzal fungi to
develop, thus supporting the roots’ nutrient
uptake
Suppresses disease directly (compost)
Promotes healthy plants
May reduce disease
May reduce pest issues
VEGETATION
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Native vegetation determines the kind and
amount of organic matter in the soil
Forest: Duff (leaves and twigs)-decay quickly
with small residue and low organic matter
Prairie: Wild prairie grasses and native legumes
have deep roots with long decay resulting in
high humus (organic material)
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS
Texture
 Gravel: well drained
 Sand: drains readily
 Silt: microscopic, retains moisture
 Clay: submicroscopic, holds water very tightly
 Loam: Two of above particles
 Predominant one names loam: sandy loam
 12 classes in Illinois
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IDEAL SOIL
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Good soil is necessary for root growth & nutrient
uptake
Loose, without too much sand or clay; well
drained
Fertile: 17 essential nutrients in appropriate
amounts; SUFFICIENT ORGANIC MATTER
pH-6.2-6.8 (except for specialty crops, e.g.
blueberries, etc.)
Replace existing soil or build a raised bed and
bring in the ideal soil
SOIL CONCERNS: Root Growth
Coarse sand & gravel: Discourage growth
 Clay: Holds more water, but is there too
much of a good thing?
 Heavy traffic may result in compaction and
thus poor drainage and air movement
 What is the water holding capacity? 1’ of
medium textured soil will hold 2.5-3” of
water; plants use 1” per week July/Aug
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ORGANIC MATTER: HUMUS
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The end product of the breakdown of organic
material
Helps hold water (sand and gravel)
Promotes well-drained soil; helps minimize
compaction
Makes soil easier to cultivate
Promotes good root growth
Supplies nutrients
Must be added to the soil EACH YEAR
SOIL NUTRIENTS
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Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
Carbon: Carbon dioxide, also dried plant
materials
 Hydrogen: Water
 Oxygen: Carbon dioxide and water
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17 Essential Nutrients
3 from atmosphere: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
3 primary soil: Nitrogen (Leaf), Phosphorous
(Flower, root), Potassium (Hardiness)
3 secondary soil: Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur
8 soil micronutrients: Iron, Copper, Zinc,
Manganese, Boron, Molybdenum, Chloride,
Nickel
Nitrogen
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78% of earth’s atmosphere, unavailable directly to the
plant
N required for amino acids, protein synthesis; mobile
within plant-deficiency in lower leaves first
Sources: Nitrate (NO3-), Ammonium (NH4+)
Preferences based on plant type, but best results from a
mix of both
Mycorrhiza may permit use of larger organic compounds
directly
Legumes fix atmospheric N
Leaching and volatilization lead to losses
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Phosphorous & Potassium
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Phosphorous (P): Flowering and fruit production, DNA,
RNA, energy (ATP)
Found in soil humus, taken up as
orthophosphate(H2PO4- or HPO4-2)
Manures and rock phosphate
Deficiency as purple discoloration on leaves
Potassium (K): Plant hardiness and water movement,
ATP synthesis, stomatal CO2 absorption
Manures and greensand are sources
Deficiency on lower leaves first
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Micronutrients
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NUTRIENT MOVEMENT
Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) form
chelates with decomposing organic material in the soil
Fe: Respiration and photosynthesis; deficiency-chlorosis
Zn: Enzyme activity; deficiency-interveinal chlorisis, stem
shortening and poor fruit yield
Cu: Respiraton, photosynthesis, lignin; deficiency-chlorosis in
young leaves
Mn: Photosynthesis, enzyme activation; deficiency-interveinal
chlorosis
Boron (B): Cell wall integrity; deficiency-bud drop, internal cork
Chloride (Cl-): Functions along with K in osmotic neutralization;
deficiency-younger leaves show chlorosis and may wilt
Greensand and decomposition of organic materials generally
provide the necessary micronutrients
PLANT
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Negative log of the H+ ion concentration
1-14 range with 1 being very acid, 7 neutral and
14 very alkaline (basic)
Most plants prefer 6.0-7.0 range
May need to adjust based on the crop you grow,
e.g. blueberries require acidic soil 3.5-5.5
Limestone can correct acid soil
Sulfur can correct alkaline soil
Sphagnum and peat moss for acidity
Does not occur overnight AND IS NOT
PERMENANT
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Soil Soln.
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Labile Pool
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Bulk Minerals
Soil Organic Matter
MICROORGANISMS:
The “Living Soil”
pH
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Calcium(Ca): Cell wall structure, elongation and division
Taken up by root; Affected by pH and Cation Exchange Capacity
(CEC)
Animal manures, lime are sources
Deficiency shows up in growing regions, relative with watering –
blossom end rot
Sulfur (S): Synthesis of amino acids and chlorophyll
From rainwater of SO2 oxidation
Deficiency as uniform chlorosis
Magnesium (Mg): Chlorophyll component
In soils in clay minerals
Source-dolomite
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Calcium, Sulfur, Magnesium
Prefer high numbers in soil
Bacteria, fungi, worms, insects
 Nutrient recyclers
 Fix nitrogen
 Improve soil structure
 Extend roots for plants: Mycorrhizae
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MYCORRHIZAE
Beneficial fungus/plant root association
Mutual
 Extend absorption of water and nutrients
 Lots to be learned yet, but try to maximize
Use native top soil
Aerate well
Avoid vermiculite and perlite
Avoid overusing inorganic fertilizers,
phosphorous
Avoid unnecessary fungicides
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So…feed the soil
Mineral Nutrients: limestone (pH), rock
phosphate (phosphorous) and greensand
(micronutrients and potassium)
 Organic matter: Green manures, crop
residue, animal manures, compost
 And the “living soil” will take the two
components above and become a selfsustaining “healthy” soil
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COMPOST
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Breaks down plant materials using bacteria and fungi;
worms (Vermicompost)
THERMOPHYLLIC: Temperatures of 150-1600
degrees F (bacteria); kills most weeds, 1310 F+ for
manure; 122-1280 F is ideal for fast composting
MESOPHYLLIC: Lower temperatures, slower, may
contribute more to a “living soil” but may also permit
the growth of weed seed in the mix;
COMPOST-MAKING THE PILE
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C:N RATIOS (high N)
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Vegetable Wastes
Coffee Grounds
Grass Clippings
Cow Manure
Horse manure
Horse + litter
Poultry manure
Poultry + litter
12-20:1
20:1.
12-25:1
20:1
25:1
30-60:1
10:1
13-18:1
Contain the material (boards, wire, or a commercial unittumbler), but permit air to enter (aerobic bacteria heat the
pile)
Build it on soil (as opposed to asphalt)
Layers (may include manure, soil)
Green material: Grass clippings, sod, vegetable scraps,
coffee grounds
Brown material: Dried materials
C:N ratio between 25:1 and 30:1
Others: Egg shells, newspaper
DO NOT ADD: Fat, grease, dairy products, domestic
animal waste, disease plants, herbicide (cold piles), black
walnut
C:N RATIOS (high C)
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Leaves
Corn stalks
Straw
Bark
Paper
Wood chips
30-80:1
60:1
40-100:1
100-130:1
150-200:1
100-500:1
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USING COMPOST
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Add to soil in the spring for fertility
Mulch
Add to the soil when double cropping to
renew fertility
May be mixed with soil for potting mix;
disease suppression of Pithium spp.
(damping off disease)
COMPOST CAVEATS
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GREEN MANURE CROPS
VERMICULTURE
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Uses worms to compost vegetable material
Redworms, earthworms
Boxed, with air holes
Vermicompost is nutrient rich
Similar materials to standard compost
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GREEN MANURE
Types of green manures
1. Winter rye
2. Oats
3. Buckwheat
4. Clovers
5. Hairy vetch
6. Field peas
7. Alfalfa
Maintain an aerobic environment; turn the pileAnaerobic decomposition smells
Keep the pile moist (40-60%, “Like a wrung out
sponge”)-Dry materials decompose slowly
Maintain C:N ratio; too much C heat production
drops, too much N may increase pH and be toxic to
some aerobes
Keep the particles small-It is easier to break down
Size is important-3x3x3 to 5x5x5
Sometimes called cover crops
Planted spring or fall (somewhat specific)
May be interplanted with other crops
Tilled into the soil
May be included in a crop rotation scheme
They work by taking up soil nutrients, growing
plants that “trap” the energy of the sun, and then
are broken down by the living soil, providing
nutrients for the plants you are growing in the fall
or during the next season
ANIMAL MANURE-Positive
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Good source of nutrients
Inexpensive (sometimes free)
Easy to handle (for the most part)
When mixed with animal bedding, includes a
good source of Carbon
Should only use manure from forage eating
species, e.g. bovine, horse, goat, sheep, rabbit,
chicken (disease in domestic dogs, cats)
May be composted prior to application
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ANIMAL MANURES-Negative
Non-specific amount of nutrients that
differs from species to species and
amongst same species
 What was the feed source for the animal
 May contain viable weed seed
 May contain pathogens, so composted
manure may be preferable
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ANIMAL MANURE APPLICATION
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90 Day window for above ground crops
120 day window for below ground crops
Spread evenly over to avoid concentrating nutrients
Tilled into the soil for maximum contact with “the living
soil”; may bring up weed seed
X # per 100 sq. ft.
Composted if possible
Nutrient content: Poultry > cattle > swine
SOIL PREPARATION-Tilling
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Large areas: Mulboard, disc, chisel plow, drag
Smaller areas: Rototiller
Turns soil over, mixes based on depth
Incorporates manures, leaf mold, compost
May bring weed seed to the top; but may be
used as weed control for shallow till
May damage soil structure
May compact soil (larger tractors)
ROTATION PLANS
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3-4 year plan for rotation of families, e.g.
alliums, brassica (longer is better)
Incorporate a fallow year if possible (5th year)
Keep records of what was planted where
(Excel spreadsheet)
Include cover crops in the scheme
Consult the tables in the Cornell book
CROP ROTATION
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The practice of alternating the annual crops
grown on a specific field in a planned pattern
or sequence in successive crop years to that
crops of the same species or family are not
grown repeatedly without interruption on the
same field.
INTERCROPPING
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Two or more crops growing on the same ground at
the same time
Provides diversification
May provide nutrients; nitrogen
from legumes
May provide shade; lettuce
beneath beans
May double as weed control
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