1. If I grow corn, cassava, hemp with manure + NPK, what happens to soil?
- Only chemical NPK: soil becomes acidic, compacted, microbes decline.
- Combine manure + compost + NPK: soil keeps organic matter, stays fertile.
2. How do Thai farmers manage soil health?
- Mix compost + biochar (from husk, cassava stalks, maize cob).
- Plant green manure (Sesbania, Sunn hemp).
- Use microbes (Trichoderma, EM, Bacillus).
3. What is dolomite, how much to use?
- Dolomite = Ca + Mg mineral, neutralizes acidity.
- pH < 5 → 500 kg/ha; pH 5–5.5 → 200–300 kg/ha.
4. What is green manure?
- Legume crops (Sesbania rostrata, Sunn hemp).
- Plow under at flowering (Sesbania 45–60 days, Sunn hemp 60–90 days).
- Can also cut & mulch (no-till), but nitrogen release is slower.
5. Sesbania vs Sunn hemp?
- Sesbania: 45–60 days, fixes 80–100 kg N/ha, fast recovery.
- Sunn hemp: 60–90 days, 60–120 kg N/ha + more biomass.
6. What are Trichoderma, EM, Bacillus?
- Trichoderma = fungus, suppresses disease.
- EM = Effective Microorganisms, speeds compost, reduces odor.
- Bacillus subtilis = beneficial bacteria for roots & soil.
7. What is biological fumigation?
- Natural vapor treatment from chili, garlic, lemongrass, neem, or microbes.
- Used to repel pests, disinfect, reduce odor.
8. Crop rotation in Buriram?
- Traditional: rice (rainy), cassava/sugarcane (dry), peanut intercrop.
- Modern:
- Dry season: Cassava + peanut.
- Pre-rain: Sesbania/Sunn hemp → plowed in.
- Rainy: Rice/Maize + soybean/peanut.
- Late rainy: Sunn hemp cover.