What is the least damaging to the soil microbiome- light tillage or herbicide?
- Thread starter HernanC
- Start date
Lee Rinehart
Member
We know the soil microbiome is a complex community, and species may react differently to various treatments. For instance, under tillage, fungi mycelium can be compromised with a reduction of activity, and it takes time for them to re-establish. Some studies have shown that tillage is far worse than herbicides as it breaks down soil structure. Whereas some herbicides cause an uptick in some microbes as they feed on them (Harris, et al. 1994). Glyphosate, for one, has been shown to have no effect at label rates in a meta study (Nguyen et al. 2016).
Does anyone else have thoughts?
Does anyone else have thoughts?
Linda Poole
NCAT Regenerative Grazing Specialist
Hi Hernan,
If you're talking about Malva neglecta, sheep, goats and chickens think mallow is yummy, and every part of the plant is edible by humans too! Weeds: why try to beat them if you can eat them?
www.gardenbetty.com
If you're talking about Malva neglecta, sheep, goats and chickens think mallow is yummy, and every part of the plant is edible by humans too! Weeds: why try to beat them if you can eat them?
Mallow Weed: The Wild Edible That's Also a Love Potion
Nutritional powerhouse, medicinal herb, and... ancient aphrodisiac?! Common mallow is much maligned in the garden as just another weed, but there's more to this wild forage than you think. Not only is the entire plant edible (from roots to fruits), it was once described as having magical sexual...
www.gardenbetty.com