Location: Plant Science Research
Title: Sunrise on soil – Getting to the root of soil healthAuthor
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Submitted to: Hay and Forage Grower
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2023 Publication Date: 4/12/2023 Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J. 2023. Sunrise on soil – Getting to the root of soil health. Hay and Forage Grower. https://issuu.com/hayandforagegrower/docs/23-apr-may-hfg?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ. Interpretive Summary: Deep roots are an important attribute of robust forage stands. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described the management impacts on extent of rooting and how deep roots can be utilized to sustain forage stands during drought periods. Although deep rooting serves to extract water from soil, those deep roots may not necessarily be contributing to carbon accumulation at depth due to the activity of soil microorganisms that consume this carbon. Net carbon accumulation will be depth dependent, and soil type and environmental conditions will likely modify responses. Technical Abstract: Deep roots are an important attribute of robust forage stands. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described the management impacts on extent of rooting and how deep roots can be utilized to sustain forage stands during drought periods. Although deep rooting serves to extract water from soil, those deep roots may not necessarily be contributing to carbon accumulation at depth due to the activity of soil microorganisms that consume this carbon. Net carbon accumulation will be depth dependent, and soil type and environmental conditions will likely modify responses. |
