As with most plants in the legume family, Glycine max, soybeans, grow in cooperation with soil-dwelling bacteria. These bacteria live in nodules on the roots of legumes. They take nitrogen gas from the air and convert it to a form plants can use. This process is often referred to as “fixing nitrogen.” When the legume dies and its roots begin to decompose, residual nitrogen in the nodules becomes available to other plants. Minnesota farmers take advantage of nitrogen fixation when they plant soybeans in rotation with corn. The soybeans fix nitrogen in the soil; the following year the succession plants use the nitrogen.
The largest concern in using soybeans as a cover crop or “green manure” is going to be finding organic and Non-GMO seeds.
Requirements
Table of Contents
Soil: Loams, tolerates poor drainage Climate: Any
Planting
Per acre: 90 pounds Per 1000 square feet: 2½ pounds Seed Depth: 1½ inch
"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease" ~ Thomas Jefferson
