Farmers' role in sustainable agriculture - Investing in new genetics

Feb 19, 2024

By Farms.com

A panel of agricultural experts convened to discuss the imperative of farmers' involvement in advancing sustainable agriculture through investment in new genetics. Jeff Jackson, representing SeedNet, urged collective responsibility in variety development to ensure industry resilience and growth.

The panel, comprising industry stakeholders, underscored the significance of supporting genetic innovation to address emerging challenges like climate variability and pest management. They emphasized the role of incentivizing plant breeders and funding research initiatives to foster innovation and ensure farmers' prosperity.

Sheri Strydhorst voiced concerns about funding constraints impacting essential trials, stressing the need for industry solidarity to safeguard critical variety development processes. Greg Stamp raised questions about the sustainability of producer-funded programs, urging alignment with long-term industry interests.

Morgan Webb highlighted the importance of genetic purity in seed production for crop quality and integrity, cautioning against neglecting pedigree standards.

The panel concluded by advocating adherence to laws and proper seed acquisition channels to ensure fair compensation for developers and industry advancement.

Video: Root Exudates, Soil Biology, and How Plants Recruit Microbes | Field Talk Friday

Field Talk Friday | Dr. John Murphy | Root Exudates, Soil Biology, and How Plants Recruit Microbes

Most of us spend our time managing what we can see above ground—plant height, leaf color, stand counts, and yield potential. But the deeper you dig into agronomy, the more you realize that some of the most important processes driving crop performance are happening just millimeters below the surface.

In this episode of Field Talk Friday, Dr. John Murphy continues the soil biology series by diving into one of the most fascinating topics in modern agronomy: root exudates and the role they play in shaping the microbial world around plant roots.

Roots are not passive structures simply pulling nutrients out of the soil. They are active participants in the underground ecosystem. Plants constantly release compounds into the soil—sugars, amino acids, organic acids, and other molecules—that act as both energy sources and signals for soil microbes.