Dynamic accumulator is a term used in the
permaculture
Permaculture is an approach to land management and settlement design that adopts arrangements observed in flourishing natural ecosystems. It includes a set of design principles derived using Systems theory, whole-systems thinking. It applies t ...
and
organic farming
Organic farming, also known as organic agriculture or ecological farming or biological farming,Labelling, article 30 o''Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2024 on organic production and labelling of ...
literature to indicate plants that gather certain
minerals
In geology and mineralogy, a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid substance with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form.John P. Rafferty, ed. (2011): M ...
or
nutrients
A nutrient is a substance used by an organism to survive, grow and reproduce. The requirement for dietary nutrient intake applies to animals, plants, fungi and protists. Nutrients can be incorporated into cells for metabolic purposes or excret ...
from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their
tissues, then used as
fertilizer
A fertilizer or fertiliser is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from liming materials or other non-nutrient soil amendments. Man ...
or just to improve the
mulch
A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil. Reasons for applying mulch include conservation of soil moisture, improving soil fertility, fertility and health of the soil, reducing Weed control, weed growth, and enhancing the v ...
.
While this idea is quite common and often
taprooted plants are used for this reason in
companion planting
Companion planting in gardening and agriculture is the planting of different crops in proximity for any of a number of different reasons, including Weed control, weed suppression, pest control, pollination, providing habitat for beneficial ins ...
, there is no scientific data supporting it, and the definition itself varies quite depending on the author. The closest thing with a proven scientific base are
hyperaccumulators.
The first to use the term ''dynamic accumulator'' in the above definition was probably Robert Kourik in his book ''Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape—Naturally'' (1986). Kourik later said that he wished he hadn't published that list of dynamic accumulators because it was anecdotal and unscientific. Later, many
permaculturists have used dynamic accumulators in their design systems and methods, such as Eric Toensmeier, Dave Jake and
Toby Hemenway.
See also
*
Hyperaccumulator
A hyperaccumulator is a plant capable of growing in soil or water with high concentrations of metals, absorbing them through their roots, and concentrating extremely high levels of metals in their tissues. The metals are concentrated at levels th ...
*
List of hyperaccumulators
*
Permaculture
Permaculture is an approach to land management and settlement design that adopts arrangements observed in flourishing natural ecosystems. It includes a set of design principles derived using Systems theory, whole-systems thinking. It applies t ...
References
{{reflist
External links
The Facts about Dynamic AccumulatorsDoes Comfrey Really Improve Soil?What is a dynamic accumulatorAre dynamic accumulators a thing?
Organic gardening