Soil Health: “Regenerative Farming” for Healthy Plants
What are Cover Crops? A cover crop is a crop planted primarily to manage soil erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife in an agroecosystem (Lu et al. 2000), an ecological system managed and largely shaped by humans across a range of intensities to produce food, feed, or fiber. A multi specie vegetation cover is a bio-mimicry of nature.
What is NO-TILL Farming? No-till farming is a way of growing crops or pasture from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage.
What is NO-TILL Farming? No-till farming is a way of growing crops or pasture from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage.
Benefits of Combining NO-TILL Farming & Cover Crops
Health of Soil
Increase Organic Matter and minerals available to plants
Food for micro organisms which feed the plants
Converting inorganic minerals into organic mineral plant availability Diversity of growing plants to the soil
Soil Structure Preservation
Top Soil, Reduced Erosion, Provide plant root growth to extend deeper into the soil
Habitat for Micro Rizal fungi and bacteria
Infiltration Water Capacity
How much water can the soil hold? Organic matter a large key. 1% increase in organic matter increases soil water holding capacity of 28,000 gallons of water per acre [~.625 inches of rain].
Infiltration Rate Capacity
How fast can the water infiltrate into the soil?
Reduces runoff of minerals, chemicals, and soil erosion
Soil Temperature impact on Plants
Having ground cover reduces soil temperature, reduces moisture evaporation rate, reduces soil erosion, and increases plant growth by better moisture utilization.
Weed Control and Suppression
Less chemical usage, less crop input cost
Increase Organic Matter and minerals available to plants
Food for micro organisms which feed the plants
Converting inorganic minerals into organic mineral plant availability Diversity of growing plants to the soil
Soil Structure Preservation
Top Soil, Reduced Erosion, Provide plant root growth to extend deeper into the soil
Habitat for Micro Rizal fungi and bacteria
Infiltration Water Capacity
How much water can the soil hold? Organic matter a large key. 1% increase in organic matter increases soil water holding capacity of 28,000 gallons of water per acre [~.625 inches of rain].
Infiltration Rate Capacity
How fast can the water infiltrate into the soil?
Reduces runoff of minerals, chemicals, and soil erosion
Soil Temperature impact on Plants
Having ground cover reduces soil temperature, reduces moisture evaporation rate, reduces soil erosion, and increases plant growth by better moisture utilization.
Weed Control and Suppression
Less chemical usage, less crop input cost
