Rapid Return on Investment: Defining Rates of Soil Health Improvement during Organic Transition in the Southeast
Project Director
Alex L. Woodley
Year Funded
2020
Award Number
2020-51106-32417
Funded Institution
North Carolina State University
Grant Program
ORG (Organic Transitions)
USDA NIFA Report (alternate)
Project Overview
Research was undertaken to determine the capacity of organic inputs and practices to restore soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and other soil health indicators in sandy soils of the southeastern coastal plain. All studies were conducted on Norfolk sandy loam, a major and widely farmed soil type characterized by low SOC and fertility.
Farmer Takeaways
(1) Soil organic carbon (SOC) analysis of soils farmed organically for 1 to >15 years did not show increasing SOC with time under organic management; this suggests that conversion to organic may not build SOC in the sandy soils of the southeastern U.S.
(2) Regular use of cover crops in conjunction with organic soil amendments can build active and total SOC and mineralizable organic N in these soils.
(3) Legume and nonlegume cover crops, compost, and biochar have complementary and potentially synergistic effects on SOC, soil health, and crop production.
(4) Legume cover crops may stimulate weed competition against crops, and biochar may mitigate this effect by temporarily tying up N during the critical weed-free period.
(5) Cover crops play an important role in restoring and sustaining soil microbial activity.
Project Outputs
Teasley, F., Woodley, A., Heitman, J. L., Ricker, M. C., Kulesza, S. B., & Suchoff, D. (2024) Why Do Soil Health Indicators Vary in Response to Management Practices? [Abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX.