From hansm001@maroon.tc.umn.eduFri Mar 17 12:30:41 1995 Date: Fri, 17 Mar 95 09:47:57 CST From: Thomas Hansmeyer To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Humus This is a very interesting debate. In thinking about and discussing soil quality, organic matter is usually mentioned within the research circles. And discussion is ongoing as to which portion of the soil organic matter reactes (changes up or down) in a grant oriented reseach time scale. That which seems to be lacking in the discusion is the role of microbes. Including the types of microbes and how to foster there existence. I find it amazing the the Luebkes were able to increase there organic matter levels 13% over only 10 years. If I have understood the claims, this was accomplished on a farm scale, using that carbon which available specifically from the Luebke farm. I guess I am asking if the Luebkes needed to import Carbon from other sources? Which gets into further debate as to whether enough carbon exists within the current system to allow all of agriculture to increase the OM to healthy levels, 5% or so. The Thompsons from Iowa have made arrangments with the local village to use the carbon, in the form of organic waste, as a cost effective amendment to their soil. Would all farmers need to compete for these contracts, or could the carbon be produced on-farm. -- Thomas Hansmeyer St. Paul MN hansm001@maroon.tc.umn.edu From steved@ncatfyv.uark.eduFri Mar 17 14:53:26 1995 Date: Fri, 17 Mar 1995 12:49:50 -0600 (CST) From: Steve Diver To: hansm001@maroon.tc.umn.edu Cc: sanet-mg@wolf.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Humus > This is a very interesting debate. In thinking about and discussing soil > quality, organic matter is usually mentioned within the research circles. > And discussion is ongoing as to which portion of the soil organic matter > reactes (changes up or down) in a grant oriented reseach time scale. That > which seems to be lacking in the discusion is the role of microbes. > Including the types of microbes and how to foster there existence. Siegfried Luebke is a microbiologist and much of their work is based on the role of microbes in soils. They've released a video titled "Microbial Life in the Soil" that includes incredible micro-photography of the clay-humus crumb. One analogy is that of a beautiful cave-like structure with "lots" of surface area due to the undulations on the stalagmites. [Incidentally, the WSAA in asssociation with MOA released a video titled "Life in the Soil" that has a similar focus; i.e., poorly managed soils and healthy soils compared via micro-photography]. In related work, the Luebkes prepared microscopic slides dyed with acrodyne orange and flouresced under UV light to show the presence of microbes in soils and composts managed appropriately. The chroma test and buffered pH test are other indicators of microbial activity. > I find > it amazing the the Luebkes were able to increase there organic matter > levels 13% over only 10 years. If I have understood the claims, this > was accomplished on a farm scale, using that carbon which available > specifically from the Luebke farm. I guess I am asking if the Luebkes > needed to import Carbon from other sources? The Luebkes run an organic dairy sheep and vegetable farm. Their forage-based rotation (alfalfa-grass mix) is important for both the sheep (which provide animal manure to compost), and as a source of green chop for use in compost. The third compost ingredient needed is either farm-produced straw, or alternatively, municipal yard waste like wood chips and tree trimmings. This municipal yard waste is highly valued by compost-making farmers in Europe. > Which gets into further debate > as to whether enough carbon exists within the current system to allow all > of agriculture to increase the OM to healthy levels, 5% or so. It is my impression the microbial inoculants play a major role in building the %O.M. and humus levels to these levels. Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer was instrumental in introducing the practice of microbially inoculating green manures at plowdown. The B.D. Field Starter he devised (and is still available through The Pfeiffer Foundation in New York) contained 55 different types of microbes. The Luebkes have since modified the original recipe, which they initially obtained years ago. Instead of a standard 3-4 week green manure waiting period, the Luebkes are planting back into digested residues within a few days. Does this have implications for grain farming in regions where leguminous green manures are frowned upon becasue they put on N too late in the spring and therefore corn planting is delayed beyond the preferred soil moisture period as a result of lag time for green manure breakdown? > The > Thompsons from Iowa have made arrangments with the local village to use the > carbon, in the form of organic waste, as a cost effective amendment to > their soil. Would all farmers need to compete for these contracts, or > could the carbon be produced on-farm. > -- > Thomas Hansmeyer > St. Paul MN > hansm001@maroon.tc.umn.edu Veganic compost comes to mind as one solution. First, put up a stock of hay or straw. Next growing season, make green chop from a pasture or cover crop and then build a compost pile using chopped, stored dry fodder. A small amount of soil or finished compost would be an important amendment. Veganic compost was described by Daziel O'Brien in "Intensive Gardening." Animal manures, on the other hand, seem to be a vital component of good quality compost, however, so without first-hand experience or research, I wonder how veganic compost would compare. Good questions! Perhaps each day we sprout a new bud or fill out a finely-divided leafy branch on the "Sanet Sustainable Agriculture Learning Tree" Steve Diver Fayetteville, AR