Serving the Farming Industry across the Midlands for 35 Years
Poor soil health and structure can exacerbate the environmental impact of crop production – as well as impairing crop performance.

Poor soil health and structure can exacerbate the environmental impact of crop production – as well as impairing crop performance.

Compacted soil structures could be contributing to the equivalent of 1.5t/ha of carbon dioxide being lost from fields every year in the form of nitrous oxide, believes independent soil specialist Neil Fuller.

“Soil management has a profound effect on root development which can influence how the crop responds to nitrogen and other nutrients. Climate change and its effects on crop production involve a complex set of interactions that require serious thinking about.”

The relationship between soil structure, nutrient interactions and sustainable production  is largely misunderstood, believes Mr Fuller.

“Ground pressure and soil compaction are major contributors in the equation. The better the soil structure, the healthier the plants, the greater their ability to compete with weeds and the less nitrogen they are likely to require.

“Soil compaction or poorly incorporated organic matter, such as straw, can lead to dense anaerobic layers. Subsequently, nitrogen sitting in cold wet soil can turn to nitrous oxide, which has the potential to be lost from the soil at the rate of 5kg/ha/year.”

Inhibit growth

While this loss might not be noticed agronomically, it has the greenhouse gas equivalent of 1.5 t/ha of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere every year which is highly significant.

“Compacted soil structures also inhibit root growth, which in turn affects how plants work with beneficial microbes that are responsible for building stable soil aggregates, making nutrients more available and priming disease resistance mechanisms. 

“This can have a major impact on a variety’s ability to express its full potential, particularly in the critical first 30 days, resulting in an early growth check which can result in lower nitrogen use efficiency, compounding the problem further. 

“Compaction of the top ten centimetres is particularly important as this is where the fine branched roots are most active in seeking out nutrition.”