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West Texas | After 20 years in switchgrass, the OM content has stabilized at just under 3%.
Doesn't seem like much, but previously it ran below 1%. Makes the difference between sand and sandy loam, IMO.
This whole area of the plains west of Big Spring and all the way up past Lubbock pretty much has the same soil type. It will all blow out, given half a chance.
I use 40" rows, because that's what the research guys advised, and because you don't want to drive on cut switchgrass stubble. The roots are aggressive, and I cut them back with 20" sweeps, which also encourages fresh growth from the crown.
When I take moisture profile readings, I habitually draw cores from five and six feet, because I've found those dang roots will go as far down as I can probe. When we drilled a new water well in that field, the driller reported he was finding roots at 20'. | |
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Residue management in perennial crops questions.
