b'COVER CROP CORNERDoes Your Soil Have Good Aggregate Structure? Lets Find OutMODERN AGRONOMIC PRACTICES often hinder the natural establishment of stable soil aggregates.DO YOUR OWN AT-HOME SOIL However, cover crops offer a powerful solution. DuringAGGREGATE TESTStheir growth phase, cover crops release root exudates that nurture soil biology, creating a harmonious environmentOption 1: The Slake Testalongside water, air, and shelter. The ingenious utilizationMaterials Needed:of these root exudates by microbial communities leads Air-dried soil aggregateto the development of granular habitats known as root Container of waterrhizosheaths. These structures provide aeration, retain 2 to 4-millimetre mesh holderKEVIN ELMY,moisture, and safeguard microbes. Remarkably, nitrogen- Instructions:is founder of Coverfixing microbes foster anaerobic conditions, facilitating1.Prepare the Soil Aggregate: Crops Canada. His book Covernitrogen fixation. Ensure that you have an air-dried Cropping inAs main crops shift into their reproductive phase,soil aggregate ready for the test. The Western Canada is available throughthey reduce exudate release, focusing carbon on growth.aggregate should be as dry as possible to Friesen Press,These mature exudates are more resilient to microbialachieve accurate results.Amazon, and digitally throughbreakdown, benefiting subsequent plant generations upon2.Assemble the Equipment: Apple Books,seed dispersal. However, a decline in microbial activitySet up your testing area with a container Kindle, and Google Play. For moreand liquid carbon availability prompts soil biology toof water and the 2-to-4-millimetre mesh info on Coverconsume the binding agents that form soil aggregates,holder. This holder will be used to hold the Crops Canada visit covercrops.ca weakening them. soil aggregate.To counteract this aggregate degradation, maintaining3.Place the Soil Aggregate: cover crops in their vegetative stage throughout theGently place the air-dried soil aggregate growing season becomes pivotal. This practice sustainsinto the mesh holder. Make sure the a steady influx of liquid carbon, which fuels microbialaggregate is evenly spread out within the expansion. When the season concludes, microbesholder.reinforce the aggregates formed during growth by adding4.Lower into Water: more binding agents. This strengthens aggregates,Carefully lower the mesh holder containing ensuring resistance against water-induced disintegrationthe soil aggregate into the container while promoting gas exchange. of water. Submerge the aggregate The cover crops development of healthy rhizosheathscompletely in the water.around growing roots generates micro and macropores5. Observe the Reaction: within aggregates. These pores facilitate swift waterWatch closely how the soil aggregate penetration, effective air exchange, and water retentionreacts to being placed in the water. Look during dry periods while creating air pockets duringfor the following signs:saturation. When cover crop roots decay, the rhizosheath Desired Outcome: The water shouldenvelopes the macropores, further contributing toenter the aggregate freely, and you may aggregate stability. observe air bubbles being released from This process poses more challenges in sandy soils andwithin the aggregate. The soil aggregate arid climates, making the role of cover crops even moreshould maintain its structure and critical. Nevertheless, the central principle remainsintegrity.unwavering: ensuring the presence of cover crops in their Undesired Outcome: If the soil aggregatevegetative stage during the growing season. These coverstarts to break apart or disintegrate crops release root exudates, nurturing a liquid carbon(slake) upon contact with water, it pathway vital for microbial growth, thereby preservingindicates low aggregate stability.aggregate structure. 50SPUDSMART.COMFall 2023'