Written by: Kiara Marie Wassoodew
Welcome to another edition of Good News Friday! Today I will cover sustainable farming, and recent developments in the field!
Negative Impact of Inorganic Fertilizer
Synthetic fertilizers can have beneficial effects on the soil quality and plant health. However, at the same time, the overuse of inorganic fertilizers can be very harmful to the environment. For one, overuse of synthetic fertilizers can alter the nutrient content and composition of soil, damaging its overall health. This can contribute to issues of soil infertility and soil erosion. Additionally, with high solubility levels, synthetic fertilizers are more likely to leak into the groundwater system, resulting in harmful chemicals being consumed by both livestock and people. Additionally, producing synthetic fertilizers frequently relies on fossil fuel combustion, which in turn contributes to the greenhouse effect and the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers releases the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, compounding this effect.
Plant Genetic Discovery
Given the dangers of overusing synthetic fertilizers, there is a growing need to research the potential for more viable and sustainable mechanisms of farming. In the U.K., a group of researchers discovered a biological phenomenon in plants that could be capitalized to achieve the goal of sustainable agriculture. The researchers describe the phenomenon “endosymbiosis” as a mechanism by which microorganisms inhabiting plant roots can facilitate nutrient uptake and absorption from the soil. Endosymbiosis is not a universal phenomenon, but certain plants have relied on this symbiotic relationship in order to meet nutrient absorption needs. In a Medicago truncatula, the researchers discovered a mutation that allowed this legume to better absorb and uptake nutrients. By introducing this mutation into other grasses like wheat, they were able to confirm that this mutation specifically conferred improved nutritional uptake.
Potential Impacts
The identification of this gene has yielded a lot of discussion regarding the future of farming. For one, this gene could be introduced on a large scale into plants that do not have this mutation to encourage the development of symbiotic relationships between plants and microbes, and effective interactions between microbes and the soil. By capitalizing on these interactions which help meet the nutritional needs of plants in an organic and sustainable way, we can move away from depending on inorganic, nitrogen-based fertilizers, and encourage healthier soil, cleaner water, and improved plant growth.
Before deciding whether or not this is a viable option for improving sustainable farming practices, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks of introducing this mutation into other plant populations. If these genetically mutated plants with improved nutrient absorption are growing in close proximity to other plants lacking this capacity, there are two threats that can unfold. For one, the gene can cross the plant species barrier and enter a new plant population which could have unintended consequences. Second, the endosymbiotic, mutated plant may be more capable of nutrient absorption and uptake, which could result in resource scarcity for other “weaker” plants, and a subsequent loss in plant diversity. Finally, there is also an equal risk that introducing a mutation which heightens the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients could cause over-absorption of nutrients. This might render the plant toxic for consumption by both livestock and humans. Therefore, by carefully analyzing, planning, and monitoring the introduction of a genetic mutation into a plant population to encourage endosymbiosis, one can guarantee the growth and evolution of sustainable farming.
That’s all for this week! Check back next week for more positive environmental news. In the meantime, if you’d like to share some Good News with us, please feel free to get in touch!
Sources:
https://sustainability-news.net/sustainability/uk-scientists-explore-natural-soil-micr
obe-interactions-for-sustainable-farming/#:~:text=The%20team%2C%20led%20by
%20Dr,similar%20results%20under%20field%20conditions.
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/274
https://farmerline.co/the-impact-of-fertilizers-on-the-environment-inorganic-vs-org
anic/#:~:text=Over%2Dreliance%20on%20inorganic%20fertilizers,and%20increas
ed%20susceptibility%20to%20erosion.