Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 6.2
The role of humins and especially of glomalin upon aggregation
Recent research has revealed that the content of glomalin decreases more gradu-
ally when no-tillage technology replaces classical tillage and when crop residues
are left in place as a source for humifi cation. However, each advantage is usually
linked to a disadvantage - in this case, a proliferation of weeds. Although applica-
tions of herbicides prevent weed growth, they endanger the quality of groundwater
as well as water in rivers. Farmers are now fi nding themselves in the middle of
another paradox when they use fungicides to control troublesome crop plant dis-
eases (molds, mildews, and smuts). With fungicides killing
Glomales
, the fungus
that produces glomalin, the fi nal result would be that farmers would strive to make
a living growing poor-yielding crops on a structureless soil. Here a lot of research
needs to be done.
