Originally Posted By: ALclearcut

Originally Posted By: Remington270
Originally Posted By: ALclearcut
Question: Does the clover planted in a mix with cereal grains continuously provide nitrogen that the grains can also use? Or does the nitrogen fixing ability of the clover plant provide nitrogen only to the clover? I know clover is often used as a cover crop that is then tilled under to provide nitrogen to a cereal grain planted over it, but can the clover provide nitrogen to a cereal grain while the clover is still alive?


I'm no botanist, but I think the benefit of nitrogen fixation for other plants is only
after the clover dies.



That is what I am assuming as well.

Yes this is part of the nitrogen cycle. You could also consider it a green manure process.
Legumes are just very efficient at removing nitrogen from the soil and air due to their relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria. When they die it is released.



Last edited by Waldo; 10/28/17 03:05 AM.