Tank mixing molasses

Some interesting research seems to point to the fact that stable soil om is formed not from plant material directly but by bactetia residue which use the plant material as a food source. In the lab you could get good increases in om from just sugar without any plant material. Trying to slow down decomposition of plant material is counter productive as it may go to co2 before the microbes get to it.
Completely f**ks up current thinking if true and maybe we don't need to feed the soil but the bacteria. May be why molasses helps and a few litres could beat a cover crop?
 

rob1

Member
Location
wiltshire
Some interesting research seems to point to the fact that stable soil om is formed not from plant material directly but by bactetia residue which use the plant material as a food source. In the lab you could get good increases in om from just sugar without any plant material. Trying to slow down decomposition of plant material is counter productive as it may go to co2 before the microbes get to it.
Completely fudges up current thinking if true and maybe we don't need to feed the soil but the bacteria. May be why molasses helps and a few litres could beat a cover crop?
interesting but wouldnt the sugar be a bit like a druggie having a hit and then withdrawal rather than a steady feed from plant material or the bugs to live on
 
Probably but the point I think really is that it's not the quantity of plant matter but the quality we must must focus on I.e perhaps a more sugar focused cover crop.
Interesting to keep tabs on though just proves we are all learners and experts are often no wiser.
 
I read that research summary. Doesn't N lock up after cultivation work the same way? First bacteria consume N during rapid crop residue digestion, but as the bacteria cycle N becomes accessible again to next crop. Now with C; bacteria consume it during digestion and when they cycle it becomes accessible again, in a more stable form in this case (and some lost as CO2 from cellular respiration). Or am I too tired for this right now?
 
I read that research summary. Doesn't N lock up after cultivation work the same way? First bacteria consume N during rapid crop residue digestion, but as the bacteria cycle N becomes accessible again to next crop. Now with C; bacteria consume it during digestion and when they cycle it becomes accessible again, in a more stable form in this case (and some lost as CO2 from cellular respiration). Or am I too tired for this right now?
I sometimes think if you accidentally find something works just keep doing it and don't try to work out why. Knowledge may empower but only if you are awake long enough.:sleep:
 

SimonD

Member
Location
Dorset
I sometimes think if you accidentally find something works just keep doing it and don't try to work out why. Knowledge may empower but only if you are awake long enough.:sleep:
Do it because you think it's right or adding value. Don't worry about the masses as everyone will do what they believe is right for themselves and I wouldn't be concerned with justification.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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