Every plant, every crop and every living being fulfils certain functions in our ecosystem. In order for all functions in our soil to be optimally fulfilled, it requires the interaction of many different living organisms. Fungi, bacteria and microorganisms feed on the root excretions of various plants and in turn provide the plants with an optimal supply of nutrients and minerals. The more diversity there is, the more balanced, stable and subsequently fertile the soil.
Supporting measures: Crop rotation, catch crops, undersowing, mixed sowing, winter greening, agroforestry, hedges.
(instead of monocultures) - by increasing plant diversity, you also increase root diversity and stability in the microbiology. Each plant has its own root excretions and thus also feeds certain microbes. A diverse crop rotation therefore also leads to more diversity of soil life. This creates the basis for humus to develop in the soil itself.
Fallow land does not occur in nature. Instead, soil is covered with living plants all year round. The principle here is that the more diversity there is, the more successful the build-up of humus will be. As with diverse crop rotation, it is also important with intercrops that the microbiology in the respective soil depth is nourished by root excretions due to the varying depth of roots in the soil. In addition, the soil is naturally loosened and aerated and at the same time it is better protected against erosion (wind, water).
Undersowing extends the greening period of the main crop. As a result, the arable land is greened immediately after harvesting and there is no situation where soil is uncovered. In addition, undersowing contributes to the optimal utilisation of solar energy by forming another layer close to the soil.
(instead of monocultures) - this refers to the simultaneous cultivation of several crops that can grow at the same time and positively influence each other. Examples: Maize + beetle bean or wheat + false flax or sunflower + buckwheat. By increasing root diversity, humus build-up is promoted.
While obvious plant growth almost comes to a standstill during the winter months, growth continues in the soil and with it the nourishment of soil life through root excretions. In the process, soluble nutrients are bound and are thus available again for the next growing season. This is why vegetation is essential for successful humus build-up, even in winter, because in fields that lie fallow in winter, a large proportion of the nutrients are lost through leaching or release into the air, and soil life is literally starved.
The integration of woody plants and hedges into arable land has a number of advantages. There is a reduction in run-off and the formation of an effective windbreak. In addition, the microclimate around groves and hedgerows is improved, which effectively prevents the soil from drying out. In addition to improving the water and nutrient balance, CO2 is stored in the long term and important habitats are provided for wildlife.
Only by converting solar energy and CO2 from the atmosphere into sugars and oxygen can plants store carbon in their mass or pass it on to the soil in the form of root excretions. This is one of the few ways carbon can be removed from the atmosphere. It can be stored in the soil in the form of humus for centuries! To store as much carbon as possible and build up as much humus as possible, we need strong plant growth. Consequently, the field should be alive with vegetation all year round, with, in the best case, several layers of plants (undersowing, agroforestry, etc) making the most of the sunlight!
Supporting measures: Intercropping, undersowing, mixed sowing, winter greening, agroforestry, hedges, healthy plants, compost, plant charcoal.
Fallow land does not occur in nature; instead, soil is covered with living plants all year round. The principle here is that the more diversity there is, the more successful the build-up of humus. As with diverse crop rotation, it is also important with intercrops that the microbiology in the respective soil depth is nourished by root excretions due to the varying depth of roots in the soil. In addition, the soil is naturally loosened and aerated and at the same time it is better protected against erosion (wind, water).
Undersowing extends the greening period of the main crop. As a result, the arable land is greened immediately after harvesting and there is no situation where soil is uncovered. In addition, undersowing contributes to the optimal utilisation of solar energy by forming another layer close to the soil.
(instead of monocultures) - this refers to the simultaneous cultivation of several crops that can grow at the same time and have a positive influence on each other. Examples: Maize + beetle bean or wheat + false flax or sunflower + buckwheat. By increasing root diversity, humus build-up is promoted.
While obvious plant growth almost comes to a standstill during the winter months, growth continues in the soil and with it the nourishment of soil life through root excretions. In the process, soluble nutrients are bound and are thus available again for the next growing season. This is why vegetation is essential for successful humus build-up, even in winter, because in fields that lie fallow in winter, a large proportion of the nutrients are lost through leaching or release into the air, and soil life is literally starved.
The integration of woody plants and hedges into arable land has a number of advantages. There is a reduction in run-off and the formation of an effective windbreak. In addition, the microclimate around groves and hedgerows is improved, which effectively prevents the soil from drying out. In addition to improving the water and nutrient balance, CO2 is stored in the long term and important habitats are provided for wildlife.
A plant only develops its full photosynthesis potential when it is healthy and strong. Then it optimally fulfils the function of storing carbon from the air. However, if the plant is damaged by disease or stress, then carbon sequestration does not function at 100%. It is, like a defective machine, not fully operative. It is therefore important to understand that only healthy plants that are optimally supplied with all nutrients, water, etc. also optimally supply the soil and the microbiome with carbon.
Compost is practically finished humus, and can therefore contribute significantly to the build-up of humus. The larger the amount of compost, the faster the humus build-up. The most important criterion here is the availability of compost. If this can be obtained from waste residues or green cuttings from an urban environment, this is ideal. The composting of manure or organic "waste" from the farm (green waste, etc.) is also recommended. However, it is important to combine the compost application with other measures, such as reduced tillage, winter greening, crop rotation, etc. Otherwise the humus content will be depleted again quickly.
Vegetable charcoal is charred organic matter (often charcoal) that is finely ground and incorporated into compost or soil (only with prior activation through enrichment with nutrients and microorganisms). It is the most important component of "Terra Preta" - the most fertile soil in the world, first found in the Amazon region.
The addition of plant charcoal can decisively improve the quality of compost, as the loss of carbon and nitrogen is significantly reduced. Due to the large surface area of the charcoal, all nutrients are perfectly stored until they are needed for humus build-up or plant nutrition. Furthermore, it has been proven that vegetable charcoal can remain stable in soils for several centuries.
Any intervention in the soil disturbs plants and soil organisms and releases nutrients. If these are not immediately bound again (by living roots), they are gassed into the atmosphere or washed out. Fungi react particularly sensitive because their network of hyphae is injured with every intervention. Microorganisms, too, are often very tied to their habitat and are no longer able to adapt to the suddenly changed conditions (aerobic or anaerobic), especially when the soil is turned. Furthermore, the use of agrochemicals (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, etc.) also has a disturbing effect on the balance in the soil. Any intervention in the soil therefore leads to disturbance of its living organisms and loss of nutrients and fertile humus.
Supporting measures: Reduce tillage, direct sowing, mulch sowing, reduction of agrochemicals.
Minimum tillage (instead of plough, cultivator, hoe and harrow) - the less the soil is tilled, the lower the oxygen input and the more stable the built-up humus remains. Ideally, there is no tillage at all (e.g. EcoDyn system) - the seed is sown into existing green covers using slit seeding.
No-till is a cultivation method that does not require tillage before sowing. During sowing, the soil is opened in slits by special machines and devices, the seed is sown and then covered again with soil. The rest of the field remains uncultivated. Not only main crops can be sown using the no-till method, but also various catch crops that have positive effects on the following main crop. Depending on the combination of main crop and catch crop, in some cases it is even possible to sow the main crop directly into the catch crop.
Like other techniques for reduced/minimal tillage, mulch sowing also helps to protect the soil and the organisms living in it as much as possible and to protect their habitat. Thus they contribute significantly to soil health and, in ideal conditions, also to humus build-up. Another advantage of mulch sowing is that the organic matter remains in the soil and can serve as a source of carbon and nitrogen. Mulching also keeps the soil permanently covered, which promotes fermentation on the soil surface, protects the soil from drying out and the important microorganisms from UV light.
The use of chemical sprays and fertilisers can have a very negative impact on the soil microbiome and the living conditions of the fungi, bacteria and microorganisms that live there. These living organisms are essentially responsible for the hygienisation, fertility and also the humus build-up in the soil. Any disturbance of these soil organisms should therefore be avoided in order to be able to guarantee their functions for maintaining soil health.
The more of these measures are applied, the more effectively humus is built up. To also keep these farming measures up in the long run is essential so that humus is not subsequently depleted again. To actively build up humus means moving towards the ecologisation of land management. The positive effects with regard to the environment, soil, water and climate protection have been proven.
More about: 10 benefits of humus building agriculture