Field companion species can improve soil carbon bonding

Plant species Adding in the field is one way to improve carbon binding to the soil. In practice, it is about planting companion plants in the fields in addition to the main species. According to a recent research project, these companions also benefit the soil of the field – without loss of harvest.

The multi -beneficial solutions for agriculture to the climate -proof food system project revealed that companion plants added to the main species of the field’s main species have a positive effect on the efficiency of soil microbial use, which in turn can promote carbon storage.

The effect is due to the increase in plant biomass and the improvement of microbial interaction.

Helsinki university professor Anna-Liisa Laine He says that in the Viikki campus experimental setting, in addition to the main species, barley was tested with one, two, four and eight companions.

The companion species were white clover, alsike clover, red clover, blue, Timotei, chicory, reed and Italian.

“The field test was founded in 2019, when barley was sown. It was then looked at how the diversity of vegetation affects the test screens with different companion combinations. ”

It turned out that already four barrels of the barley bring about the same practical benefits as the use of eight companions.

“This is, of course, good news for farmers, because adding eight species could be too laborious. Although one test is not afraid to give any recommendation, I think you can try your companion plant species in your field. Especially when there are no risks. ”

At EU level Cultivation is striving for healthy soil. However, it is difficult to precisely determine which indicators the soil is healthy. In research, it is most meaningful to look at the change produced by the divisional treatment, says Laine.

“We study soil processes in different ways: the structure of microbial communities and the efficiency of microbial carbon use.”

If the species are different in terms of characteristics, it provides an advantage in the ecosystem according to biodiversity theory. Adding different species to the field, there are also different root architecture and root chemistry that can affect microbes.

“In the Viikki experiment, we chose companion plants based on that some of them are low -root and some deep -rooted species. It is assumed that the diversity of the root system brings the benefit to the vegetation. ”

Soil and climate expert of the Confederation of Agricultural and Forestry Producers (MTK) Heikki Aro says that soil health is an important competitiveness factor for Finnish agriculture.

“The functioning capacity of the country’s microbes and the ability of the soil to tie and store carbon are the foundation of good growth in the country.”

Simultaneously growing multiple plant species in the fields is not a whole new thing. Oats were once used as a support plant of a pea, which made it easier to thresh in the fall.

“The cultivation of collector and cover plants is increasing as part of changes in support policy. If the functioning of arable farming technology and the profitability of cultivation can be safeguarded, I do not see an obstacle that the cultivation of companion plants cannot expand as part of the crop rotation, ”says Aro.