How to increase SOM?

Cover cropping

Cover crops are additional crops grown between main crops in the rotation.

Cover cropping benefits:

• increases the annually produced biomass,

• maximises roots and shoots time in the soil

• maximises annual photosynthesis

• feeds soil organisms,

• sequesters carbon,

• catches nutrients thus reduces leaching,

• helps prevent soil erosion,

• suppresses weeds

Rotational management

Having a well balanced rotation and including legumes to rotation improves main crops yields within that rotation. More grain = more straw = more organic material into soil.

Residue management

Crop residues are a good raw carbon source.

Increased crop residues= higher worm population = higher level of carbon sequestration.

Importing organic fertilisers

All listed below are organic fertilisers which add raw carbon to soil and through decomposition by worms and soil microbes increase soil organic matter.

• Farm yard manure

• Slurry

• Sewage sludge

• Compost and vegetable waste

NB! Beware of "leakage" in terms of carbon programs. Learn more about leakage from Glossary of terms page.

Limit carbon losses

Every time the soil is moved, oxygen is put into it which activates mineralisation process due to which carbon and other nutrients are released from the organic matter. Limiting soil disturbance keeps carbon in the soil.

No till farming has other benefits as well- like reduced soil erosion, improved soil structure and water holding capacity, reduced fuel usage etc.