Reduce or eliminate tillage. Tillage improves the aeration of the soil and causes a flush of microbial activity that increases the speed of decomposition of organic matter. The incorporation of oxygen into the soil essentially helps to ignite and burn the organic matter like a fire burns wood.
Reduce soil erosion. Most of the organic matter in a soil is in the topsoil. When soil erodes, organic matter goes with it. Saving soil and organic matter go hand and hand.
Fertilize Properly. Proper fertilization encourages growth of plants, which increases root growth. Increased root growth can help build or maintain soil organic matter, even if much of the top growth is removed.
Cover crops can help build or maintain soil organic matter. The best results are achieved if growing cover crops are combined with a reduction in tillage practices.
This week I would like to continue with the discussion of plant genetics with a focus on genetic diversity. Genetic diversity refers to the range of different inherited traits within a species. In a species with high genetic diversity, there would be many individuals with a wide variety of different traits. Genetic diversity is crucial for a population to adapt to changing environments such as disease, insects, weather patterns, soil conditions, etc. Genetic diversity is akin to your retirement plan. - By Kevin Mueller, Senior Agronomist, WI CCA of the Year
The United States early in its history had seen the importance of collecting plant germplasm from this nation and around the world. (Germplasm are living genetic resources such as seeds or tissues that are maintained for plant breeding, preservation, and research.) Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were huge believers in collecting seed from countries where the US had ambassadors stationed.
By Kevin Mueller, Senior Agronomist, WI CCA of the Year
