WCN Dec e

‘
Nut crops may require a lot of water,
but soil conservationists advocate
farming systems designed
around permanent crops that offer
greater carbon sequestration potential
than heavily tilled annuals.
’
JAN 5, 2022
See page 61
physical, chemical and biological characteristics.
Organic matter builds soil
structure, the physical architecture that
facilitates movement of water and air
through the soil profile. Organic matter
adheres to clay surfaces, forming
organo-mineral colloids that prevent
further decomposition. Mineral and
organic matter complexes bind together
forming stable soil aggregates separated
by pore spaces that hold water and air.
Soil with stable aggregation and
plenty of porosity prevents runoff by
allowing fast water penetration and
infiltration during heavy rainfall or
irrigation. Organic matter and improved
structure increase the soil’s
water holding capacity, allowing the
field to retain more water to sustain the
crop during drought. Organic matter’s
adhesive properties also prevent water
and wind erosion, conserving topsoil
while protecting the surrounding environment
from nitrate, phosphorus and
pesticide residue contamination. Excess
water captured during major storms
can replenish aquifers rather than runoff
into streams, eroding the landscape
along the way.
Organic matter’s chemical characteristics
provide important benefits to
crop production by buffering pH and
increasing nutrient availability. Plant,
animal and microbial remains decompose
into carbon molecules with both
positive and negative charge sites. The
reactive sites attract and hold cations,
Continued on Page 30
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