Bio organic farming for chicory

What

Chicory is one of the crops that respond also well to Bio organic farming practices. Chicory is prone to have a high nematode damage of the roots, especially in sandy soils. Through the use of inorganic fertilizers, soils loose their carbon content and the important groups of microbes- predominantly bacteria - which were suppose to control the nematodes. This results in the crop getting stunted and nutrient deficient due to the lack of hair roots. The crop dies of earlier than it suppose to be. The soil microbiome become less diverse and unbalanced. Brix levels of the crop plummet and diseases and pest attacks happen.

How

The diverse microbial product SBM should be applied to the soil before or during planting of Chicory. In situations were crop residue can be incorporated, like Napier grass much better. Organic matter or roots serves as food for microbes and several benefits plays out in the soil. Root development is not only better but nematodes gets suppressed to benefit root penetration deeper into the soil resulting in higher yields. Organic nutrients become available and ph gets buffered. Soil compaction layers gets uplifted and water holding capacity improves as well as water penetration results in less water runoff. Phosphates become dislodged and available. In this situations soil carbon percentage increases. The crop will stay much healthier for longer. Second and sometimes third applications of SBM later in growing season protect crop against reinfestations of nematodes and diseases. Apply 100lt SBM per ha in 3 applications. First application at 40lt SBM per ha with any organic matter incorporated. Then again at 30 to 45 days after planting, 40lt per ha. Third application of 20lt per ha at 60 days after planting.