Soil Replenishment in drought and high heat and high humidity
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Meadowlark
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I found this interesting info from the soil tests.
Nutrient Density
Before replenishment:
What is Nutrient Density?
Nutrient density is the amount of select nutrients, or the nutritional content, found within a known amount of food. Nutrient dense crops are the desired outcome simply because the nutritional value per unit of food is greater in nutrient dense crops, increasing the nutritional quality of the food produced. Nutrient dense crops have also proven to have a health benefits, a longer shelf life, greater yield and density, highly intense flavors, and a greater resistance to disease and pests.
Multiple studies conducted to determine the nutritional content of crops indicate that, over the last 50 years, the nutrient density of food has fallen considerably. The depletion of nutrients in soils over time, without appropriate replenishment, has led to a decline in nutrients present in crops and thus caused a decline in dietary nutrients in humans. Consequently, more food must be eaten to get the same nutrients in sufficient amounts as compared to our ancestors. Given the current and escalating threat of food insecurity, malnutrition, and obesity this is a gravely concerning issue. Maximizing the biological potential of plants in order to produce abundant, nutrient rich, healthy food to eat is the main objective when growing a garden. A well fed, high functioning garden produces nutrient dense crops with a larger volume of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants in nutritionally beneficial ratios. If we are to improve human health around the world, we must improve soil health, and by extension increase the nutritional value of the food we eat. Understanding the influence of soil on your plants and managing the soil for quality over time is crucial to enhancing the nutritional potential and capacity of your plants.
Nutrient Density
Before replenishment:
Medium High
66%
After Sunn Hemp replenishment:High
94%
What is Nutrient Density?
Nutrient density is the amount of select nutrients, or the nutritional content, found within a known amount of food. Nutrient dense crops are the desired outcome simply because the nutritional value per unit of food is greater in nutrient dense crops, increasing the nutritional quality of the food produced. Nutrient dense crops have also proven to have a health benefits, a longer shelf life, greater yield and density, highly intense flavors, and a greater resistance to disease and pests.
Multiple studies conducted to determine the nutritional content of crops indicate that, over the last 50 years, the nutrient density of food has fallen considerably. The depletion of nutrients in soils over time, without appropriate replenishment, has led to a decline in nutrients present in crops and thus caused a decline in dietary nutrients in humans. Consequently, more food must be eaten to get the same nutrients in sufficient amounts as compared to our ancestors. Given the current and escalating threat of food insecurity, malnutrition, and obesity this is a gravely concerning issue. Maximizing the biological potential of plants in order to produce abundant, nutrient rich, healthy food to eat is the main objective when growing a garden. A well fed, high functioning garden produces nutrient dense crops with a larger volume of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants in nutritionally beneficial ratios. If we are to improve human health around the world, we must improve soil health, and by extension increase the nutritional value of the food we eat. Understanding the influence of soil on your plants and managing the soil for quality over time is crucial to enhancing the nutritional potential and capacity of your plants.
Meadowlark
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Image "Before"
Image "after"
Image "after"
Meadowlark
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The only difference is the 8 weeks of Sunn Hemp growth shredded into the soil.
Notice also the Iron went up considerably. Could be difference in soil sampling. I have noticed in the past one test can have strange readings on a given nutrient.
I'm not sure why the Sunn Hemp would increase potassium, but I'm also not at all concerned for the root crops that will come from that area next spring.
p.s. What did you think of that "Nutrient Density" before and after?
Here is mine from last year.
My test doesn't test for nitrogen as you can see. Not sure why they dont. I have the little pills and vials that can check it as high, medium, or low but I don't worry much about it myself since I water and fertilize through a dripline and can adjust it.
I'm not sure how your test figured up the optimal K, Ca, Mg but with my test it is not a static number. Those hinge of the cation exchange capacity number. I don't see that on your test. Here is some reading that explains better than I can.
Also as you can see and @Chuck will like this too, my soil is loaded with calcium and magnesium but I still have blossom end rot problems with the first set fruits, then it just goes away. I think because I push the nitrogen a little too high but I'm not positive.
My test doesn't test for nitrogen as you can see. Not sure why they dont. I have the little pills and vials that can check it as high, medium, or low but I don't worry much about it myself since I water and fertilize through a dripline and can adjust it.
I'm not sure how your test figured up the optimal K, Ca, Mg but with my test it is not a static number. Those hinge of the cation exchange capacity number. I don't see that on your test. Here is some reading that explains better than I can.
Also as you can see and @Chuck will like this too, my soil is loaded with calcium and magnesium but I still have blossom end rot problems with the first set fruits, then it just goes away. I think because I push the nitrogen a little too high but I'm not positive.
I don't see the nutrient density on the test. Not sure I understand what they are getting at but isn't that the nutrients that go into say a potato to consume and the nutrients have to be in the ground which is what the soil test is about.
I don't know how they came up with a percentage number. Maybe they are referring to the amount of nutrients that you added to the soil because they were a little low such as the sulfur and iron?
Something else I don't see is the organic matter. Which I'm sure you added alot of.
Meadowlark
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The nutrient density is behind a button on next page...which you can't see photo.
I found that extremely interesting and I want to do more reading on the subject specifically "Multiple studies conducted to determine the nutritional content of crops indicate that, over the last 50 years, the nutrient density of food has fallen considerably. The depletion of nutrients in soils over time, without appropriate replenishment, has led to a decline in nutrients present in crops and thus caused a decline in dietary nutrients in humans. "
Very much exactly why I believe so strongly in soil replenishment.
I found that extremely interesting and I want to do more reading on the subject specifically "Multiple studies conducted to determine the nutritional content of crops indicate that, over the last 50 years, the nutrient density of food has fallen considerably. The depletion of nutrients in soils over time, without appropriate replenishment, has led to a decline in nutrients present in crops and thus caused a decline in dietary nutrients in humans. "
Very much exactly why I believe so strongly in soil replenishment.
I agree.
Meadowlark
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Here we go again... Next year's onion and potato harvest will come from this area which had corn and okra previously this year.
Sunn hemp broadcast seed a week ago and it almost immediately sprang to life. It will be over 10 ft tall, with zero weeds, by the end of this October. Onion planting will commence in early Nov. pending availability of plants.... potatoes next Feb.
Sunn hemp broadcast seed a week ago and it almost immediately sprang to life. It will be over 10 ft tall, with zero weeds, by the end of this October. Onion planting will commence in early Nov. pending availability of plants.... potatoes next Feb.
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@Meadowlark, you had me looking into Sunn Hemp and mentioned that we need to stay above about 60 F. Today we won't even hit 60 F as a high but we're finally getting some rain.
Meadowlark
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I wouldn't give up on it so easy, Mr. Yan. That quote of mine was to reach the 10 to 12 ft. level in growth according to my research. Many northern areas can get 4 ft and above.
Related research:
4. Which plant hardiness zones are suitable for growing sunn hemp?
Although sunn hemp is of tropical origin, it has been cultivated in temperate zones as far north as Washington state.
SS-AGR-444/AG443: Questions and Answers for Using Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) as a Green Manure Cover Crop (ufl.edu)
"only need 8 to 12 weeks of frost-free growth conditions to receive these results"
It is fantastic stuff...so far in my experience which granted is limited. I'm using it every chance I get.
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It looks so tempting, but this is England. This year it would have done great, really hot and dry for weeks on end, but I bet if I planted it next year we would have a long, cold, wet summer 
Meadowlark
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A couple of more points from the above reference:
2. Why grow sunn hemp as a cover crop?
Sunn hemp is used to increase rotational crop yields and reduce invertebrate pest pressure. Sunn hemp residue adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil and may enhance soil microbiota. Most studies of vegetables planted after sunn hemp have found increased vegetable yields. Sunn hemp also suppresses weeds and nematodes. Its residue contains plant defense compounds, called allelochemicals, that inhibit or delay germination of weed seeds and the life cycle of nematodes.
15. Can I use sunn hemp as mulch?
Sunn hemp has good potential as mulch when grown in proximity to its use location, such as between vegetable beds or fruit tree rows. Sunn hemp is best planted and mulched where suppression of weed seed germination is desired and small-seeded crops are not seeded with direct exposure to the sunn hemp residue.
I'm definitely going to grow some just for mulch...in fact am doing so right now. The weed suppression factor is impressive.
2. Why grow sunn hemp as a cover crop?
Sunn hemp is used to increase rotational crop yields and reduce invertebrate pest pressure. Sunn hemp residue adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil and may enhance soil microbiota. Most studies of vegetables planted after sunn hemp have found increased vegetable yields. Sunn hemp also suppresses weeds and nematodes. Its residue contains plant defense compounds, called allelochemicals, that inhibit or delay germination of weed seeds and the life cycle of nematodes.
15. Can I use sunn hemp as mulch?
Sunn hemp has good potential as mulch when grown in proximity to its use location, such as between vegetable beds or fruit tree rows. Sunn hemp is best planted and mulched where suppression of weed seed germination is desired and small-seeded crops are not seeded with direct exposure to the sunn hemp residue.
I'm definitely going to grow some just for mulch...in fact am doing so right now. The weed suppression factor is impressive.
Meadowlark
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With the Sunn Hemp going to seed, I decided to harvest it earlier than planned. It reached a height of about 10 ft and started producing yellow flowers. Now its lots and lots of green manure to be composted and disced into the soil.
Meadowlark
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Rince and repeat... I thought I'd dust off this old thread since the heat and humidity conditions are somewhat extreme across much of the Midwest USA and especially here in East Texas where it is 100/100 every day now.
Sunn Hemp planted in tired soil loves the heat...the hotter the better. This patch will be 10-12 ft tall in two months...when it will be shredded.
Sunn Hemp planted in tired soil loves the heat...the hotter the better. This patch will be 10-12 ft tall in two months...when it will be shredded.
You mentioned it going to seed. Is this an invasive crop if it gets that far?
Meadowlark
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Certainly not in Ohio. Perhaps in a tropical environ I could see it that way, but here in Texas it has not been a problem at all.
I've always understood too much Nitrogen is bad.
And also wondering if you let this bloom will it mess up Hemp grown for THC?
big rockpile
And also wondering if you let this bloom will it mess up Hemp grown for THC?
big rockpile
Meadowlark
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How much is too much, according to what you have always understood? Does it matter if it is organically generated or synthetic, according to what you have always understood?
I have absolutely no idea nor concern if its blooms "mess up Hemp grown for THC. "
However, if you are concerned you might find these links helpful in answering your question:
"Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) is an annual plant of the pea family. It is native to the Indian subcontinent, where it has been cultivated since prehistoric times. Sunn hemp is grown for its high-quality fiber, as a green manure, as a soil improver, and as a disease break in cereal or other crop rotations. It is not a true hemp."
Sunn | plant
sunn, (Crotalaria juncea), also called sann hemp or Indian hemp, annual plant of the pea family (Fabaceae) and its fibre, one of the bast fibre group. Sunn is likely native to the Indian subcontinent, where it has been cultivated since prehistoric times. The sunn plant is not a true hemp. The...
www.britannica.com
Sunn hemp does not produce cannabinoids while hemp does.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG443