system. By planting a cover crop mix with a low C:N ratio, N is released more timely and the corn crop also benefits from the timed release of the organic N. Remember that C:N ratio is closely related to CC maturity, so plan to terminate the CC while it is in the vegetative stage. By now, soil biological populations and processes are well on their way. Soil aggregates are stabilizing and pores are opening. Water infiltration and holding capacity are on the rise. Nutrients are cycling and accessible from alternate pathways. Result… production potential! Soil health- continued capacity of soil as a vital living system, whereby carbon, nutrients and “The water are cycled efficiently, assuring primary production and environmental quality are optimized.” Indiana Soil Health- Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative- Prepared by: Fisher - NRCS-Indiana Agronomy Acknowledgments: Thanks to the reviewers - Dr. Eileen Kladivko, Mike Plumer, Dr. Hans Kok and Dan Towery, Tony Bailey, Shannon Zezula, farmers who shared pictures and Lucy (the dog) for modeling. January 2014
system. By planting a cover crop mix with a low C:N ratio, N is released more timely and the corn crop also benefits from the timed release of the organic N. Remember that C:N ratio is closely related to CC maturity, so plan to terminate the CC while it is in the vegetative stage. By now, soil biological populations and processes are well on their way. Soil aggregates are stabilizing and pores are opening. Water infiltration and holding capacity are on the rise. Nutrients are cycling and accessible from alternate pathways. Result… production potential! Soil health- “The continued capacity of soil as a vital living system, whereby carbon, nutrients and water are cycled efficiently, assuring primary production and environmental quality are optimized.” Indiana Soil Health- Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative- Prepared by: Fisher - NRCS-Indiana Agronomy Acknowledgments: Thanks to the reviewers - Dr. Eileen Kladivko, Mike Plumer, Dr. Hans Kok and Dan Towery, Tony Bailey, Shannon Zezula, farmers who shared pictures and Lucy (the dog) for modeling. January 2014
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