[292] ‘MTSU On the Record’ plants ‘cover crops’ to regulate soil temperature

MURFREESBORO — Agricultural research that could lead to greater crop production will be the subject on the next “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Samuel Haruna, an assistant professor of plant and soil science, will air from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, and from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

Haruna’s work to date seems to suggest that planting “cover crops” and “perennial biofuel crops” can help regulate soil temperature and lead to better cash crop production.

“Cover crops” are crops that farmers plant among their cash crops to protect against extreme soil temperatures. They accomplish this by reducing soil water evaporation and adding organic matter to the soil. Examples include oats, barley, rye grass and clovers.

“Perennial biofuel crops” are considered to be potential replacements for corn in the manufacture of ethanol. Examples include miscanthus and switchgrass.

“Crops are more susceptible to changes in soil temperature than they are to changes in atmospheric temperature because that’s where the roots are,” Haruna said. “That’s where they take up nutrients. That’s where they take up water. So if you change the soil temperature ever so slightly to what the plants are not used to, then you begin to have problems with crop growth and crop productivity.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to http://bit.ly/mtsu-otr.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.