The third article in this series describes how previous efforts to increase food production have focused on the parts of plants that grow above ground. Although varieties of plants such as “dwarf” plants that put more energy into grain production than stalk production have been successful at increasing crop yields, these plants have ultimately resulting in the use of more fertilizers, pesticides, and water, which results in greater environmental problems and doesn’t do much to help poor farmers who cannot afford expensive fertilizers and irrigation systems. Thus, new efforts in plant breeding are focusing on what grows below ground - getting back to the roots.
THE FACTS:
Four strategies for enhancing roots are described, they are:
1. Tailoring a plant’s roots to the environment in which it is being grown. For example, deep roots can access water far below the ground in areas where there is drought or water is scarce, whereas shallow roots might be preferred in areas in which nutrients are found in the soil at the surface.
2. Some roots are known to release compounds that will protect the plant from toxic minerals in the soil. Other roots make compounds that help the roots absorb more nutrients from the soil. Scientists are cross-breeding grains such as wheat to try to produce strains that are the most protected and take up the most nutrients.
3. There are some fungi that live among the roots of plants and provide them with nutrients. Scientists are trying to use these fungi to be able to grow plants in soil that is poor in nutrients.
4. Legumes such as beans, lentils, and soy are higher in protein than grains such as wheat, maize, and rice because legumes are able to “fix” nitrogen from the soil (absorb and incorporate nitrogen into protein), whereas grains are not. Legumes can do this because they live with microbes among their roots that fix the nitrogen for them. Scientists are trying to find ways to get grains to be able fix nitrogen to reduce the need for fertilizers (one of the main things that fertilizers provide is “fixed” nitrogen) and to increase the protein content of grains.
OUR THOUGHTS:
So, maybe you’re not into cross-breeding the green beans in your garden. However, this is a good reminder that what happens below the ground and out of sight is just as important to a plant as what life is like above ground. Cultivating good soil in your garden by composting, for example, can lead to healthier roots, more tasty veggies, and less need for water and fertilizers.
Four strategies for enhancing roots are described, they are: 1. Tailoring a plant’s roots to the environment in which it is being grown. For example, deep roots can access water far below the ground in areas where there is drought or water is scarce, whereas shallow roots might be preferred in areas in which nutrients are found in the soil at the surface. 2. Some roots are known to release compounds that will protect the plant from toxic minerals in the soil. Other roots make compounds that help the roots absorb more nutrients from the soil. Scientists are cross-breeding grains such as wheat to try to produce strains that are the most protected and take up the most nutrients. 3. There are some fungi that live among the roots of plants and provide them with nutrients. Scientists are trying to use these fungi to be able to grow plants in soil that is poor in nutrients. 4. Legumes such as beans, lentils, and soy are higher in protein than grains such as wheat, maize, and rice because legumes are able to “fix” nitrogen from the soil (absorb and incorporate nitrogen into protein), whereas grains are not. Legumes can do this because they live with microbes among their roots that fix the nitrogen for them. Scientists are trying to find ways to get grains to be able fix nitrogen to reduce the need for fertilizers (one of the main things that fertilizers provide is “fixed” nitrogen) and to increase the protein content of grains. OUR THOUGHTS:
So, maybe you’re not into cross-breeding the green beans in your garden. However, this is a good reminder that what happens below the ground and out of sight is just as important to a plant as what life is like above ground. Cultivating good soil in your garden by composting, for example, can lead to healthier roots, more tasty veggies, and less need for water and fertilizers.