6 / 72
SHORT
TAKES
Finally, a variety that promises a new
way to stop parasites in their tracks.
Researchers designed and patented
a new type of soybean that can fight
back against nematode parasitic
infestations, according to a
Kansas
State University
press release.
Parasites rely on a certain gene in
the crop to survive; the new variety
will silence that gene and, therefore,
halt nematode reproduction.
This form of defence is “more
durable and broadly applicable than
traditional resistance,”
Timothy
Todd
, instructor of plant pathology
at Kansas State, said in the release.
Soybean cyst nematodes are the
number one biotic limiter on soybean
yields in Ontario, says
Owen Wally
,
research scientist at
Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada
(AAFC).
“The good news is that most of the
varieties grown in Ontario are
resistant,” says Wally. “That being
said, (they’re) not perfect; the nema-
todes can adapt.
“There’s always a need for new
sources of (nematode) resistance.”
Nematode infestations first
appeared in Ontario in the
Chatham-Kent region. Infestations
have since spread east and west into
cooler growing regions, says Wally.
Wally encourages producers to
continue using resistant varieties
while keeping up with crop rotations
and adjusting rotation lengths based
on the degree of infestation. A two- to
three-year soybean rotation is
standard in Ontario. Under high
nematode pressure, however, produc-
ers should introduce a four- to
five-year rotation, says Wally.
Producers can visually inspect
plant roots or send soil samples to
AAFC to determine nematode
presence or severity.
BF
Parasite-fighting soybeans will help producers
A study by
University of Waterloo
(UW) researchers may finally settle
the question of whether charcoal
could be a go-to additive to foster
healthy crops in Ontario.
Biochar is charcoal made by
burning organic matter at high
temperatures with low oxygen levels,
according to a university release.
Maren Oelbermann
, an associate
professor at UW, is leading a study on
the effects of biochar on soil health,
carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas
emissions and climate change resil-
ience. She’s also determining the
social and economic factors affecting
farmers’ use of biochar.
The study was recently funded by
the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
.
In tropical soils – where its use
originated – biochar increases the soil
pH, decreases aluminum toxicity and,
therefore, makes nutrients more
available for crops.
“However, temperate soils (like in
Ontario) have a higher pH, higher
soil organic matter and plant nutrient
content, high-activity clays and lower
oxide contents and, therefore, will
respond differently to biochar than
tropical soils,” explains Oelbermann.
“This is one of the reasons why we
initiated this research trial.”
Oelbermann said she hopes that
biochar will increase soil fertility,
nutrient uptake ability and microbial
activity. She hypothesizes it may lead
to healthier crops more resilient to
drought.
Biochar – if successful in Ontario
– could lessen nitrogen applications.
Farmers could even produce their
biochar from livestock waste, says
Oelbermann.
“This is a very unique opportunity
for the province of Ontario as well as
its agricultural producers. There really
have been no replicated trials using
biochar previously in Ontario.”
BF
High hopes for biochar in Ontario
Maren Oelbermann photo
YelenaYemchuk/Creative RF/Getty Images photo
6
Story Idea?
Better Farming
December 2016