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Lodi, California

Hi,

I just thought, that, naturally, when a plant is established and deprived of water, the roots will scavenge deep into the soil to extract the water that it despritly needs. So, if you want your covercrop to really break down the lower layers of the soil, couldn't you simply deprive the plant of water for a few weeks once it is established? My spring covercrop hasn't recieved water for about two or perhapse more weeks, and is doing fine due to the fact that it is acting as a living mulch.

3/22/2014 10:59:16 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

That is an excellent idea. I know that farmers around here worry about shallow root systems on the corn during wet springs, because it makes it easier for the wind to knock it down. Dry weather forces deeper roots. And deeper roots on the cover crop will get organic matter deeper in your soil.

3/22/2014 11:17:32 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Ashton. The key here I believe is in the type of crop and the degree of transpiration demands it has in its climatic environment.

Moderation is the key. Reading the plants and reducing plant stress when ever possible will always be rule number 1 in my book. You really would not wish to stress any plant or crop beyond its comfort zone.

A good general rule to follow is: If the crops ability to mitigate the environment's harsh effects(excessive transpiration) is compromised then its growth potential will be forever limited. This directly relates to FS size and dry weight of all plant mater including the roots.

Russ

3/22/2014 12:56:43 PM

BC, Canada

PG. It isn't really that simply. Moderation in all things I guess. Deprive a plant of water, it may create deeper roots, or it may die. I would say it really depends on your soil, on your cover crop type, on your water table and on your weather, and possibly on the cost of your water. Here on BCs coast I don't water until well into May most years - rainy area, low temps and lots of ground water coming down the hill. Other areas, other watering programs. If you are in an area where alfalfa will grow you will have deep roots. The longer the crop has been in the ground and growing the more likelihood of deeper roots. A lot of variables for sure.
The worst mistake many novice gardeners make is to lightly watering frequently and that just wets the surface. This does make for shallow roots and is the ideal way to make sure all the weed seeds sprout.
If you till or break the ground deep before the cover crop there will be a better chance for those roots to travel down. I also like mulches and organics in the soil in the off season to encourage all those little worms and microbes that make pathways through the soil.
Trial, observation, compare. gold standard of science.
Overall I would say if you don't water and the cover crop starts looking stressed, and you still need it in for a while, do a solid deep watering.

3/22/2014 1:22:53 PM

BC, Canada

PS
here's an article about roots I had bookmarked;

http://www.robertkourik.com/media/FAQ.pdf

3/22/2014 1:25:40 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Tell that to a cactus... one of the most shallow rooted plants and deprived of water.

3/22/2014 8:50:43 PM