Conventional farming often makes use of herbicides to prevent weed growth. However, herbicides often persist in the soil long after their application period, negatively affecting crop health and growth. Soil chemistry and drainage can react with the unique chemistry of different herbicide products, greatly affecting crop output.
Herbicides and Crop Growth
When herbicides persist in the soil at high levels, they can cause significant injury to crops. Repeat exposure can reduce yield and quality, and may even lead to crop death. The high presence of herbicides in crops can also negatively affect the health of humans or livestock who eat them later.
Herbicide Persistence and Soil
A variety of soil factors play a major role in ensuring that herbicides do not persist in the soil after their application season. While you may not be able to control the type of soil you have, proper drainage can ensure that soil microorganisms help break down herbicides in a timely manner. Soil that has proper moisture, oxygen, pH and mineral nutrient levels thanks to proper drainage is essential for microorganism health. Tillage of any kind can also reduce herbicide persistence — which is why many no-till and minimum-till farms try to avoid the use of herbicides altogether.
The use of micro-drainage solutions can improve soil composition and drainage, ensuring that herbicide levels do not remain elevated. By taking steps to improve soil quality, you can increase the effectiveness of your farming techniques to maximize the quality and yield of your crops.