Re: Roots and Leaves (Soil Respiration)

In a message dated 12/8/98 6:40:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,
sdeans@pcug.org.au writes:

<< Subj:	 Roots and Leaves
 Date:	12/8/98 6:40:26 AM Eastern Standard Time
 From:	sdeans@pcug.org.au (Stewart Deans)
 Sender:	owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com
 Reply-to:	pumpkins@mallorn.com
 To:	pumpkins@mallorn.com
 
 Hi,
 
 Last season I grew a reasonable size pumpkin in a relatively small elevated
 patch.   At the end of the season I took a vertical section through the patch
down
 about 18 inches and noticed that I could not find any roots below about 9
 inches. Early in the season I was concerned that the soil was too gluggy as I
found
 a lot of roots close to the surface. I think the moisture may be preventing
 oxygen penetrating deep into the soil.  I suspect the OM levels and suspended
clays may have contributed so I have taken steps to lower both.
 I also use underground watering but it does not seem to assist in getting
 deep root growth.
 
 Stewart
 Canberra  Aust
 the nation's capital
 sdeans@pcug.org.au >>

Oxygen:

Can't remember whether I brought this up before in my Microbial Soil
Improvement letter.  Oxygen is a byproduct of the good bacterial in your soil
as it consumes organic material.  This process is called Soil Respiration and
could be another benefit of increasing the good bacteria in your soil.

George
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