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Rooting of green manure crops in pictures
Soil compaction and structural damage have a major negative impact on crop yield and quality. In times of tight fertilization space and increasingly severe weather extremes, the soil structure has become even more important.
An inventory (2015) showed that soil compaction occurred on 45% of all plots. The compacted spots can be removed with great precision with the current drought. The water storage and infiltration is disrupted, the plants take root more difficult and the absorption of nutrients is hindered. Intensively rooting green manures can improve compacted soils considerably.
Big differences
The amount and depth of rooting varies considerably per green manure. The champion in rooting depth is fodder radish† A thick taproot grows at the top of the soil, which creates a lot of space and breaks open superficial compaction. The fine hair roots go up to 2 meters into the ground. As a result, fodder radish also captures many minerals from the deeper layers, which benefit the main crop.
mineral sequestration
Intensive rooting therefore not only ensures an airy and open structure, but also optimal mineral retention. A large package of roots also provides a lot of effective organic matter. So base your choice of green manure not only on the above-ground, but also on the underground development!
View all recommended green fertilizers for 2018 here.
The image shows the differences in the rooting of green manures.
