Buckwheat as a Cover Crop in Florida: Mycorrhizal Status and Soil Analysis

Abstract

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is an excellent choice as a cover crop. Buckwheat grows quickly and is utilized as a cover crop for weed suppression, a nectar source for native pollinators, and for soil nutrient enrichment, primarily phosphorus. Even though buckwheat is not commonly grown in Florida’s subtropical zone, it has the potential to be grown as a cover crop supporting sustainable agroecosystem. The purpose of this research was to analyze the suitability of buckwheat as a cover crop in Florida in conjunction with a comprehensive assessment of its response to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation, soil types, and its effect on soil nutrient enrichment. Buckwheat was planted at the Florida International University organic garden (Miami, FL, USA) in early November and harvested in mid-December. After incorporation of buckwheat residues, soil analyses indicated the ability of buckwheat to enrich soil with major nutrients, in particular, phosphorus and nitrogen. Correlation analysis on aboveground buckwheat biomass and soil characteristics showed that high soil pH was the major limiting factor that affected buckwheat growth. Results also showed that buckwheat forms symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; buckwheat root colonization ranges from low to medium. Symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased inorganic phosphorus uptake and overall buckwheat growth.