Cover crop research for soil health in the citrus grove includes studying eco-mowing.
Research is on-going at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to explore the effects of cover crops on soil health in citrus groves. It’s believed that optimal soil health can help citrus trees Part of that research is looking at eco-mowing, according to a Citrus Industry article. Explore the details below.
Eco-Mowing and Soil Health
UF/IFAS soil microbiologist Sarah Strauss is part of the team researching the benefits of cover crops, compost, and eco-mowing for soil health. “My research as a soil microbiologist focuses on trying to understand interactions between the microbes in the soil and citrus,” she said in the article, adding that the research is aimed at finding “…ways to utilize microbes to help citrus plants grow.”
Eco-mowing involves placing the cuttings from cover crops under the canopies of the citrus trees rather than leaving them in the middle rows. She added that the research is “looking at mixes of cover crops. Some of those mixes include legumes … and then also combining those treatments with this idea of eco-mowing … One of the main reasons we’re looking at this is we’re trying to look at ways to increase the buildup of soil organic matter and soil health.” It’s thought that it will increase microbial activity and improve nutrient and water retention.
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.
