Higher carbon content of the soil increases yield
2 Nov 2009
Unit: Praktijkonderzoek Plant & Omgeving, Plant Research International

 "Increasing the carbon content of the soil increases yields." This is the conclusion of Steven Groot, Research Coordinator Organic Propagation Material at Plant Research International, after the Go-Organic 2009 conference. 
 
"The renewed interest in the effect of carbon content on yield is a good thing", says Wijnand Sukkel of PPO. "This point has been overlooked in recent years."
In the Netherlands quite some research is being conducted into the effect of organic matter on the soil. It is known to have a positive effect on the moisture-holding capacity of the soil as well as on erosion sensitivity. According to Sukkel, the yield increasing effect is often forgotten.

Groot thinks that improvement of the moisture-holding capacity can be interesting for the Netherlands. "It is less dry here than in Australia but we also have dry periods."
Sukkel remarks that it is also significant in view of climate change. "A rainstorm causes less damage when the soil can absorb the water. Now, the soil is often so compact that the water remains on top."

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Steven Groot
Plant Research International
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Wijnand Sukkel
Praktijkonderzoek Plant en Omgeving
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