Hello bdnow,
Jose,
Hugh Lovels recent post re the dangers of just building soils with OM and
compost with out regard to environmental energy levels etc (is that a fair
brief synopsis?) raises more questions for me as to the desired outcome from my
trials in vineyard mulch application.
Compost contains minerals & nutrients that are not readily available to
plants cf soluble salt fertilizers, contained in the cells of the
organisms that composted the plant material. Therefore they should not in
theory boost nitrate levels as readily as soluble fertiliser.
Have you encountered the problems Hugh warns of with excessive compost or
OM application to soils. Elaine Ingham talked about Prairie soils in the
USA containing 10 -14% OM and having incredibly diverse soil
microbiology, now exhausted by modern agriculture and less than 1%
OM.
Australian soils are very old, much of the original mineral characteristics from
the parent material has been leached out and 2% OM would be considered
pretty good. Do you have any experience of boosting OM to higher levels
by compost/OM addition or as the outcome of years of BD management. What
outcomes have been achieved?
I would be happy with competitive weed control and delete herbicides,
Improved plant nutrition resulting in better yields,
Improved soil structure & texture and soil food web
--
Best regards,
John mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
