2019 Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium Enhancing Soil Health Naturally James Theuri Small Farms Educator jtheu50@illinois.edu
Soil Health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans SOIL IS A LIVING FACTORY Above and below connection Recycles nutrients, etc Photo: Rodale Institute SOIL HEALTH >> Think root environment and soil-inhabiting organisms
Characteristics of a Healthy Soil Biologically: Water-absorbing, Water-retaining, Well aerated High numbers of beneficials Micros- and macros- Rooting appropriately No dead end for root growth Earthworms make channels in soil mix up organic matter enhance root development and nutrient levels >> mineralization
Characteristics of a Healthy Soil Chemically ph 6.0 to 6.8 Optimal amounts of nutrients High cation exchange capacity High levels of OM + stable humus Free of toxic compounds
Characteristics of a Healthy Soil Physically - High levels of stable aggregates Optimal mix of pore sizes Well-drained; high water-holding ability Low bulk density Compact-free, crust-free No platey structure Texture Tilth Fertility Drainability
Soil-Improving Practices Build soil carbon Living roots feed the Soil Food Web; build aggregates Increase biodiversity Crop diversity >> less insect and disease problems Promote optimal soil structure physical, chemical, biological Reduce compaction; manage salinity
Retain more and more carbon in soil Rodale Institute
FST Soil Carbon Data Kutztown, PA Credit: Rodale Institute
What can be done to improve soil health? Rodale Institute
Crop Rotations
Crop Rotations Chosen well: can improve/maintain good soil physical & chemical characteristics Mix deep-rooted extensive rooted high residue Photo: Bing Manages pest/disease problems
Crop Rotations Rotate different genera crops Increase nutrient recycling Improve soil structure Photo: Bing
Crop Rotations Cornell University recommendations Example: legume crop >>> sweet corn also, legume tap roots can be long Plan sequences that promote healthier crops Use sequences that aid in suppressing weeds Use deep-rooted plants
Good Crop Rotation System modifies hard-setting and surface sealing reduces compaction aids in nutrient retention manages soil-borne diseases & insect pests Photo: Bing
TILLAGE
A Tillage Drawback
TILLAGE - Impacts of Tillage Destroys aggregates Exposes OM to decomposition Causes compaction Damages soil fungi Reduces habitat for Soil Food Web members Disrupts soil pore continuity Increases soil surface salinity Plants weed seeds Rodale Institute
No-Till, Minimum Till Farming Pros Soil structure retention Cover crop biomass production Less loss of OM & soil moisture Fewer weed problems; habitat for insects Cons Planting can be a challenge Perennial weeds could thrive Soil compaction Soils (may) not warm fast enough
Seed or Transplants? Seed: quicker planting Voles can be troublesome (esp. if planting into vegetation) Transplanting allows later date of planting Into plastic mulch or bare ground Via transplanter (waterwheel) or by hand Voles and Killdeer - not problematic Plants are established when planted
Planters Hatfield Planter Photo credit: M Roegge Photo credit: FarmWeekly
Transplanter
Reduced Till, No-Till Managed tillage maintains soil health zone tillage
Tips to Success with No-Till Production Start small on crop you are already familiar with Don t push to plant Ensure your equipment is no-till ready allow time to adjust your equipment for optimal planting start free of weeds e.g., use cover crops
Choose Crops Suitable Sweet corn, green beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers, cole crops, vine crops (pumpkins, melons, etc.), green beans All large-seeded crops or transplants Not suitable Carrots and other small-seeded crops Lettuce, etc. Precision required (depth, spacing, etc.)
Build The Soil Keep soil covered as much as possible Disturb soil as little as possible Keep growing plants on the land Diversify what is grown on the land Texture Tilth Fertility Drainability
Biological Soil Amendments Compost, Manures, other OM additions improve soil quality, soil health Great in heavy tillage operations e.g., in plasticulture BSAs increase soil health benefits (increased OM): microbial diversity, increased nutrients, slow release of mineral nutrients, H 2 O-holding capacity, improved aeration, reduced bulk density, reduced diseases/pests
Manures & Compost Manure: allowed by NOP, certain conditions food safety is a concern Check state laws on manure use e.g., max. 20 tons per acre per year in IL, (IN?) not to apply on frozen or snowed ground distribution, sale, storage
2008 Rodale institute Compost is the controlled decomposition of organic residues into a humus-like end product. 25:1 / 40:1 mix of brown (C-based) materials and green (N-based) materials 50-65% moisture Made in windrows, piles or containers (large or small) Temperatures 131-170F or more during active decomposition (15 Days) Usually requires repeated mixing (5 times in 15 days) Takes 8 weeks to 2 years (depending on the above factors)
Improving Soil Health Photo: Rudy Garcia, USDA
Compost Application
Result, after compost & cover crops (clover, black medic, orchardgrass)
Cover Crops CC s fit well in no-till systems Need opportunity to seed in fall Many benefits
Cover Crop Benefits Cleaner fruit Weed control N 2 production Easier field access Insect habitat Water preservation Improved soil health
Cover Crop Selection Based on goals Weed control, nutrients, erosion prevention, Residue coverage Cereal rye, Triticale, Barley, Wheat, Oats N 2 production (legumes) Nutrient scavenging Oilseed radish, Annual Ryegrass, Cereal Rye Erosion management Oats, Cereal Grains, Annual Ryegrass, Clovers
Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC)
Cereal Rye Allelopathy Great soil builder; nitrogen scavenger Produces more biomass than other small grains difficult to get soil to dry under? Deeper rooting than most other small grains Good mat to reduce dirty fruit at harvest How to kill? Can have issues with voles Very cold hardy and can be planted late (Nov.) Seeding rate 1-2 bu/a
Crimson Clover Annual Clover Great soil builder Excellent nitrogen producer (legume) Rapid vigorous growth Establish late summer/early fall Seeding rate 10-20 lbs/a Inoculate seed Small seed is easy to over-seed and establish into existing crops
Annual Ryegrass Very deep rooted Can be difficult to kill in spring Inexpensive seed cost Seeded in August for best overwintering 15-20#/ acre
Tillage Radish Reduces compaction Easily winterkills; adds OM to soil Photo credit: gibneyce.com
Roller-Crimper to Kill Cover Crop
Hairy Vetch Hairy Vetch - legume, will provide all necessary N for pumpkin crop, must inoculate When to plant 20-30#/acre Inoculate w/ bacteria When to/ how to kill More vole problems
Hairy Vetch & Cereal Rye University of Missouri
Traffic Management Limit traffic to designated areas certainly, minimal movement when wet Areas in between remain un-compacted Compacted areas: subsoiler de-compaction
Sorghum-Sudan Grass CC Planted Aug 15; photo Sept. 30; frost-killed Oct. 3 Temp. 22 o F) Garlic planted no-till in October
Broccoli planted no-till into flail-mowed sunn hemp and cowpea cover, Aug. 20, photo: Sept. 30
Are you feeding and caring for your soil livestock?
Resources Soil Health for Vegetable Production in Australia https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/ data/assets/pdf_file/0008/69812/soil-health-vegetableproduction.pdf Rodale Institute - https://rodaleinstitute.org/ - The Biology of Soil Health (Youtube video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6xdfl_g8js - Organic Farming for Soil Health (powerpoint): http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/organic-farming-and-soil-health - Regenerative Organic Agriculture and Climate Change http://rodaleinstitute.org/regenorgagricultureandclimatechange_20141001.pdf USDA-NRCS https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/ University research-based info (links ending in.edu xxxxxx.xxx.edu) Soil management and Soil Quality for Organic Crops https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/7248.pdf
The Future is Organic! To be a successful farmer one must first know the nature of the soil. Oeconomicus Xenophon, 400 B.C.
Foliar Fertilizers, Biostimulants: limited research Too many products, suddenly Do your own trials Foliar-applied calcium for blossom end rot?