Cover crop influence on pore size distribution and biopore dynamics: Enumerating root and soil faunal effects.

ABSTRACT: Pore structure is a key determinant of soil functioning, and both root growth and activity of soil fauna are modified by and interact with pore structure in multiple ways. Cover cropping is a rapidly growing popular strategy for improving agricultural sustainability, including improvements in pore structure. However, since cover crop species encompass a variety of contrasting root architectures, they can have disparate effects on formation of soil pores and their characteristics, thus on the pore structure formation. Moreover, utilization of the existing pore systems and its modification by new root growth, in conjunction with soil fauna activity, can also vary by cover crop species, affecting the dynamics of biopores (creation and demolition). The objectives of this study were (i) to quan

SUBMITTER: Lucas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9491155 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature