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  • From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>, Market Farming <marketfarming@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] Fwd: [SANET-MG] soil organic matter in tropical vs. temperate soils
  • Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:51:12 -0500

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [SANET-MG] soil organic matter in tropical vs. temperate soils
Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:26:22 -0500
From: Joel Gruver <jgruv@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

Hello Jim,

I haven't personally conducted research on soil organic matter farther south than North Carolina but there is lots of evidence in the scientific literature that SOM levels can be enhanced in sub-tropical and tropical soils through the implementation of cropping systems that grow more SOM (especially roots) and reduce losses:

here are a few references you may want to look at:

http://ipmsouth.com/2010/04/20/alabama%E2%80%99s-old-rotation-proves-crop-rotation-improves-yields/

“Cover crops grown on cropland in the southeastern United States build
SOC, improve soil physical and chemical characteristics, supply
additional N, and reduce erosion of topsoil during the high rainfall
winter months,” say the authors. “After 99 years, the Old Rotation
indicates that winter legumes increase amounts of both carbon and
nitrogen in soil, which ultimately contribute to higher cotton yields.”

http://xbiblio.ecologia.edu.mx/biblioteca/Cursos/Manejo/Craswell_Lefroy.pdf

"Although the myths of lower quantity and quality SOM in tropical soils compared to temperate soils have been countered (Sanchez 1976; Greenland et al. 1992), there are some broad differences in the soil C dynamics between tropical and temperate zones, as there are between agricultural and non-agricultural systems. The breakdown rate of OM Powison 1976) to measurement of labile C with high can be significantly faster in the tropics, although there are no major differences in the pattern and products of breakdown (Jenkinson and Ayanaba, 1977). Correspondingly, the inputs of C to tropical systems can be much greater, which may explain the lack of a general difference in total organic C between temperate and tropical areas."

Organic Matter Dynamics in Soils of the Tropics-From Myth to Complex Reality
Greenland, D. J. Wild, A. Adams, D.
SSSA SPECIAL PUBLICATION, 1992, VOL 29, pages 17

I am on the road currently and don't have access to this SSSA pub electronically but can send you a copy when I get back home.

Joel

Joel Gruver
School of Agriculture
Western Illinois University
jgruv@hotmail.com




  • [permaculture] Fwd: [SANET-MG] soil organic matter in tropical vs. temperate soils, Lawrence F. London, Jr., 12/31/2010

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