615 Plant genetics drive microbial diversity & abundance
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#RealisticRegenAg | As the season winds down here in southern Alberta, I’ve been busy teaching both diploma and degree students at Lethbridge Polytechnic (formerly Lethbridge College). As is my annual tradition, I’ll be slowing down my newsletter and podcast production during the fall and taking an extended break over the holiday season. You can expect one final newsletter in early December, with the next edition coming your way in February.
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I’m on the committee organizing this event and will have more detail for you in December. In the meantime, mark this date in your calendar. We aim to have one day conference with great speakers and information you can bring back to your farm and, just as importantly, lots of time to network and see the latest the industry has to offer.
Texas A&M AgriLife researchers identify novel approach to minimize nitrogen loss in crops
It seems that no matter what you add to the soil the existing soil community drives the processes. That’s why this article piqued my interest. Researchers are now investigating how plant genetics influence microbial diversity and abundance in the soil. In this case, they are focusing on sorghum plants that promote biological nitrification inhibitors (BNI).
“The BNI trait will suppress nitrification, a microbial process that converts fertilizer-derived ammonium in the soil to nitrate, preventing its escape as nitrates in water or nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas.”
Essentially, instead of adding an inhibitor that only works temporarily, they’re identifying plants that naturally provide this inhibitor to the soil, working throughout the season. How cool is that? Check out the article for more.
Microbes matter during pasture restoration
Similar research is being conducted on alfalfa in this article.
““The historical thought around [why pasture productivity declines over time] is chemical auto-toxicity or soil sickness developing through the production of secondary chemicals (from) alfalfa,” said Bennett. Another possibility is that genetics in the alfalfa variety can trigger a biological response in the soil. “We know there is lots of different breeding for (disease) resistance in alfalfa varieties,” Bennett said. The resistant genes in the alfalfa could affect how the plant interacts with bacteria in the soil. “There is evidence that some alfalfa varieties respond differently to (specific) beneficial microbes.””
In other words, breeding for disease resistance may inadvertently lead to varieties that don’t interact well with beneficial microbes. In the past, breeding was based on what we could see above ground, without much understanding of the impact below ground. Roots and microbes are hard to observe, but new technology is beginning to change that. Perhaps in the future, we’ll develop plants that do more for the soil than we ever imagined.
https://www.producer.com/livestock/microbes-matter-during-pasture-restoration
The Latest Science on Soil Health
Next up, I’d like to share two articles from Robert Pavlis, the gardener I’ve mentioned before. His latest article on soil health is an excellent primer. Microbes don’t just exist because we put them there—they thrive when there’s food for them. Add more food, and you get more microbes. The two articles I’ve discussed above also illustrate that specific plants, and their genetics, play a huge role in determining which microbes thrive in the soil.
https://www.gardenmyths.com/latest-science-on-soil-health/
Brix, Molasses and Pests – New Science or Fantasy?
Ever heard the claim that healthy plants don’t get attacked by insects or disease? While brix meters are great for measuring the sweetness of grapes to guide harvest timing, they aren’t particularly useful for predicting plant resistance to pests or disease.
https://www.gardenmyths.com/brix-molasses-pests-new-science-or-fantasy/
Researchers make a case for protecting field boundaries
What does help keep pests at bay are natural areas around fields. I’ve previously talked about the “messy areas” surrounding fields and their beneficial halo effect. This article explores new research aimed at helping farmers understand what kinds of “messy” areas are beneficial and which might harm their crops.
https://www.producer.com/news/researchers-make-a-case-for-protecting-field-boundaries
Shared Accommodation
There’s some interesting news about integrating cattle and solar panels. A large-scale project in Alberta is now using vertical solar panels. This design allows access for maintenance and enables cattle to graze freely on the vegetation in between. The study will also examine how the shade from the panels affects plant growth, particularly in reducing water use.
https://grainswest.com/2024/09/shared-accommodation/
Survey: Consumers place diminishing value on “regenerative” methods
To wrap up I have a few articles on regenerative outside the farm. Consumers like the idea of it, but when told it will cost them more money, they quickly retract their support.
https://agdaily.com/crops/survey-consumers-place-diminishing-value-on-regenerative-methods
Regenerative agriculture is sold as a climate solution. Can it do all it says?
This article aligns with much of what I’ve been saying on the podcast and in my book Practical Regeneration.
“… a lot of the enthusiasm in regenerative agriculture involves the idea of storing more carbon in soil to slow global warming. That makes many soil scientists wary. “That’s when one’s Spidey senses ought to tingle, because those claims are challenging to back up,” says Eric Slessarev, professor of ecology at Yale University.”
Read or listen to the original radio segment from All Things Considered here:
https://www.npr.org/2024/09/10/g-s1-17179/regenerative-agriculture-climate-change-soil-carbon
