A new scientific discovery has been made on the impact of past crop residue in the soil and its effect on current crops on the same piece of land.
The University of Bern discovered wheat yield and discovered it had traces of chemicals from the previous maize cultivated on the land.
According to research, certain compounds that are secreted by maize roots have an impact on soil quality. This impact can enhance wheat yields planted after maize in the same soil by more than 4% in some locations.
Researchers from the University of Bern have shown this. Several field trials have revealed that these effects are very varied. Still, they may contribute to more sustainable grain farming over the long run without extra pesticides or fertilizers.
What factors affect the wheat yield on the same land used for maize?
In earlier studies, scientists at the Institute of Plant Sciences (IPS) at the University of Bern discovered that the benzoxazinoids, which maize plants release through their roots, alter the composition of microorganisms in the soil on the roots and subsequently affect the growth of succeeding plants that grow in the soil.
What are the environmental factors affecting wheat production after maize production?
Increased crop output and decreased pest levels were also observed. The study’s co-authors, Klaus Schläppi of the University of Basel and Matthias Erb, Professor for Biotic Interactions at the Institute of Plant Sciences, said that while a yield increase of 4% may not sound particularly significant, it is still significant given how difficult it has become to increase wheat yields without adding additional inputs.
Source: University of Bern
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