Moderator: Vicki Morrone, Outreach Specialist for Organic Fruit and Vegetable Growers, MSU

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1 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO Michigan Greenhouse Growers EXPO December 6-8, 2011 DeVos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI Organic Soil Management Where: Gallery Overlook (upper level) Room A CCA Credits: SW(3.0) Moderator: Vicki Morrone, Outreach Specialist for Organic Fruit and Vegetable Growers, MSU 8:30 am ABC s of Soil Biology Florian Chirra, Extension Educator, The Ohio State Univ. 9:15 am Cover Crop Management on A Vegetable Farm-Different Farms, Different Systems Tom and Vicki Zilke, Zilke Vegetable Farm, Milan, MI Lee Arboreal, Eaters Guild Organic Farm, Bangor, MI 10:15 am Compost-Getting It TO and ON the Vegetable Farm Rebeca Titus, Titus Farms, Leslie, MI 11:00 am On-Line Cover Crop Selector Tool-How It Works Victoria Ackroyd, Crop & Soil Science Dept., MSU Dean Baas, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, MSU Extension

2 11/29/2011 ABC s Of Soil Biology ABC of Soil Biology Florian Chirra OSU Extension Williams County The ideal soil is made up of 50% pore space, 45% mineral and 5% organic matter. ABC s Of Soil Biology Pore Space: Holds water Holds air (oxygen) Clay soils lack large pore space, thus restricts water and air infiltration and movement, thus limits root growth and activity of beneficial soil organisms. Sandy soils lack small pore space which limits the soil water holding capacity. Pore Space ABC s of Soil Biology Soil compaction effect on root growth Pore Space Corn grows a foot over night after cultivating Soil Organic Matter Organic matter consist of decomposing plant and animal matter and living plant roots. Made up of: Living, Dead and Very Dead Chemical composition of organic matter varies from but generally made up of 60 70% carbohydrates (polysaccharides), 15 to 20% lignin and 15% proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, waxes, and pigment. 1

3 11/29/2011 Soil Organic Matter Active fraction: represents the most easily decomposed parts of soil organic matter. Compounds containing simple sugars breakdown fast (1 2 years) Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin: structural materials of the plant cell wall (2 5 years) Stable fraction: roughly = humus Humus responsible for giving soils that rich, dark, spongy feeling and properties such as water retention, and CEC (10+ years) Living Soil Organism Earthworms improve water infiltration and helps to aerate the soil. Arthropods (Insects) Birds and Animals Living Soil Organic Matter Litter transformers: Arthropods: insects, spiders, mites, springtails, and millipedes. Shred and consume plant litter Mutualists: Mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen fixing bacteria and some free living microbes co evolved together with plants to form mutually beneficial associations with plants Living Soil Organic Matter Decomposers; Bacteria, actinomycetes, and saprophytic fungi degrade organic compounds and some pesticides. Bacteria degrade the more readily decomposed materials (low in C:N ratio) C:N ratio» Decomposition of low C:N ratio, 20:1 (animal manure) release N» Decomposition of high C:N ratio, 200:1 (straw/sawdust) require N Fungi more complex materials Grazers and predators Protozoa, mites, nematodes graze on bacteria or fungi Release plant available nutrients as they consume microbes Living Soil Organic Matter Micro organisms can be divided into 4 groups Bacteria Fungi Protozoa Nematodes Each group of organisms plays and important role. Even within each group there is great diversity in form and function Living Soil Organic Matter Organisms live in the micro scale environments within and between soil particles. Differences over short distances in ph, moisture, pore size, and the types of food available create a broad range of habitats. The soil environment. 2

4 11/29/2011 Living Soil Organic Matter (Bacteria) Are the first microbes to digest new organic plant and animal residue Bacteria are the most predominate species in a tilled field Aerobic (Oxygen) Anaerobic (No Oxygen) Living Soil Organic Matter (Bacteria) Are classified by: shape, air, Gram staining methods, growth and reproduction. Function: Decomposers consume simple sugars and carbon compounds Mutualists form partnerships like Rhizobia Pathogens Energy developers get energy from N, S, Fe or H; convert energy in soil OM into useful forms for the rest of the organisms in the soil Bacteria Important in the N cycle: Mineralization break down organic N and release NH 4 + (aerobic) Nitrification Nitrosomona convert NH 4 to NO 2 and Nitobacter converts NO 2 to NO 3 (aerobic) Denitrification Pseudomonas NO 3 to N 2 (anaerobic), wet soils Nitrogen fixation Rhizobia anaerobic bacteria fix N in legumes nodules Special Bacteria Actinomycetes grow hyphae like fungi and are similar to fungus in their function Earthy smell More active at high ph Degrade hard to compose compounds such as chitin, lignin, kertin Forming stable humus Fungi Three groups of soil fungus: Decomposers convert dead OM into fungal biomasses, CO 2, and small molecules Pathogens Verticillium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora. Mutualist/Mycorrhizal means fungus root Penetrates the root cells and form specialize structures called arbuscules that are the site of nutrient exchange between the plant and fungus Fungi Mycorrhizal fungi help plant roots be more efficient at gathering N and P through hyphae Hyphae can reach where root hairs can t bringing N, P and possibly water to the plant Physically bind soil particles Mycorrhizal fungi are the most predominate in a no till field with continuous cover. Mycorrhizal fungi produce sticky substance called Glomalin. 3

5 11/29/2011 Mycorrhizal Glomalin Is an amino polysaccharide or glycoprotein created by combining a protein from mycorrhizal fungus with a sugar from plant root exudates. Mycorrhizal fungi exists more in a no till situation. Because no till is more stable conditions, and with cover crops a more constant source of carbon. Fungal hyphae binding soil particles together into aggregates. Protozoa and Nematodes Protozoa single celled microbes that feed on bacteria, other protozoa, fungi, and OM. Classified into 3 groups: Flagellates use 1 to 4 whips to move, feed on bacteria Ciliates hair like cilia to move feed on other protozoa and bacteria Amoebae move by temporary foot feed on bacteria Protozoa and Nematodes Protozoa consume bacteria and release N in form of ammonium NH 4+ near the root of the plant. Bacteria consume NH 4+ any remaining plant uses Can consume 5 million in one day Regulate bacteria and algae Helps decomposition rates and soil aggregation Protozoa and Nematodes Nematodes are round worms with tapered ends. (head and tail) Small enough to fit into most soil pores Few responsible for plant diseases Feed on plants and algae, bacteria, and other nematodes. Highest concentration in conventional field lowest in organic field Earthworms Two types that effect agriculture soil: Shallow soil dwellers and deep burrowers Deep burrowers Night Crawlers Have vertical burrows that may extend 5 6 feet deep Pull plant residue down into mouth of barrow Construct middens mixtures of plant residue and fecal matter to serve as protection and food reserve Shallow burrowers red worms, fish worms Live in top 12 inches of soil Active in spring and fall enter resting state summer and winter 4

6 11/29/2011 Earthworms Impact on soil properties: through feeding, casting and burrowing activity. Create channels for water infiltration, air flow and root development. Improve soil structure and tilth Mixing of organic materials in the soil Dead Soil Organic Matter Crop Residues Provides food for the living C/N Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin Very Dead Soil Organic Matter Humus Non water soluble stabilizes microaggregates Is not consume by microorganisms Tillage vs No till Tillage Increase bacteria Consume amino polysaccharides and glomalin Decrease in macroaggregates Decrease in soil organic matter Less water infiltration More erosion More soil crusting Decrease in earthworms Tillage vs No till No till + Cover Crop Increase fungi Develop amino polysaccharide and glomalin Increase macroaggregates Increase water infiltration Less erosion Less soil crusting Less weed and pathogens Increase earthworm populations 5

7 On-Line Cover Crop Selector Tool-How It Works Victoria Ackroyd Department of Crop & Soil Sciences, Michigan State University A478 Plant and Soil Sciences Building, East Lansing, MI Phone: x1230 Dean Baas Michigan State University Extension and W.K. Kellogg Biological Station 3700 E. Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners, MI Phone: x260 The Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) Cover Crop Decision Tool is a web-based system to assist farmers in selecting cover crops to include in row crop rotations. The Tool has been implemented for Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Tool can be accessed at About the MCCC: The Cover Crop Decision Tool is a project of the MCCC. The MCCC is a diverse group from academia, production agriculture, non-governmental organizations, commodity interests, private sector, and representatives from federal and state agencies. The MCCC collaborates to promote the use of cover crops to address soil, water, air, and agricultural quality concerns in the Great Lakes and Mississippi river basins. MCCC member states/provinces include Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Manitoba, Ontario, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota. Learn more about the MCCC at About the Cover Crop Decision Tool: The Cover Crop Decision Tool is an initiative by the MCCC to consolidate cover crop information by state to help farmers make cover crop selections at the county level. Information for each state/province is developed by a team of cover crop experts including university researchers, Extension educators, NRCS personnel, agriculture department personnel, crop advisors, seed suppliers and farmers. The team reviewed and refined information from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) ( publication Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3 rd edition ( to refine application within their state/province. The information and ratings contained in the Cover Crop Decision Tool is the team consensus based on literature, research results, on-farm experience and practical knowledge. Instructions for using the Cover Crop Decision Tool Step 1 Location Information Select your state/province from the State/Province dropdown menu in the Location Information box. 1

8 Step 2 Location Information Enter your county or All Counties Average from the County drop-down menu in the Location Information box. Note: All Counties Average displays the average seeding dates for all counties within the state or province. After completing steps 1 & 2, the seeding chart shown here displays the following information: Cover Crop Categories Cover Crop Names Use within the state/province: (C) Common Use: Considerable state knowledge about species/use. (E) Emerging Use: Limited state knowledge about species/use. Seeding Dates: Green Bar Reliable Establishment Planted during these periods, a cover crop should attain sufficient growth to provide benefits. Yellow Bar Freeze Risk to Establishment Planted during these periods, a cover crop will grow but an early freeze may limit growth and benefits. Red Bar Frost Seeding When conditions are right, a cover crop can be frost seeded during this period. All other boxes are optional, the more information you include the better your cover crop options will be screened to meet your needs. Step 3 Cash Crop Information (optional) Select the cash crop from the drop-down menu. Select the anticipated cash crop planting and harvest dates from the calendars provided. 2

9 The area shaded in blue is the cash crop growing period. Planting a cover crop during this period will require special planting techniques such as aerial seeding or interseeding into the cash crop. Step 4 Field Information (optional) Select the field soil drainage class or if farming muck whether is saturated or well drained. This soil drainage class can be found in your county Soil Survey. Select Yes or No for Artificial Drainage (Tiles, Ditches, etc.) for soil drainage classes below Somewhat Poorly Drained. Select No, Brief up to 7 days or Long 7 days + from the Flooding/ Ponding menu. Completing Step 4 will cause the tool to screen out cover crops (faded out) that are not appropriate for your field conditions. The remaining cover crops may be considered for use. A cover crop that will not perform well under these field conditions. A cover crop that will perform well under these field conditions. 3

10 Step 5 Cover Crop Attributes (optional) Select up to three cover crop attributes (benefits you want to get from growing a cover crop) from the attribute menus. Completing Step 5 will cause the tool to screen out cover crops (faded out) that are not appropriate for the benefits you want to get from your cover crop. The remaining cover crops may be considered for use. The ratings for each of your selected attributes are displayed. The ratings are: 0 Poor 1 Fair 2 Good 3 Very Good 4 Excellent Step 6 Cover Crop Information Sheet (optional) An information sheet may be created by selecting a remaining cover crop from the Select cover crop to create information sheet drop-down menu and clicking the submit button. Information is given for: Considerations for using the cover crop in this location Planting Termination Performance and Roles Cultural Traits Potential Advantages/Disadvantages Information resources about the cover crop Acknowledgements: This project has been funded by: a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant in partnership with the Conservation Technology Information Center; the Great Lakes Regional Water Program; Michigan State University s Project GREEEN; Michigan State University Extension/W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University; Purdue University; Ohio State University; University of Minnesota; Iowa State University; and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. 4