Agro-Ecological SOIL BIOTA & INVESTMENT RETURNS Soil biota and investment returns are probably two things you are not used to seeing mentioned in the same sentence, in fact quite possibly in the same paper or article. They are however strongly linked from the perspective of farmland investment. A recent scientific paper in the Journal of Applied Ecology with the snappy title of ‘Soil biota enhance 1 agricultural sustainability by improving crop yield, nutrient uptake and reducing nitrogen leaching losses’ , rather reemphasised this point and we thought we would share some of its more interesting insights with you. Background Firstly a little background on soil organisms. The activities of these microscopic members of the soil ecosystem drive nutrient cycling and make nutrients available to plants, or store them in the soil. Furthermore soil biota and their interactions are important for nutrient mineralisation and plant nutrition. AMF There is often a focus, particularly within ecological management systems on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a type/group of fungi that live in symbiosis with the majority of plants, including agricultural ones. AMF mobilise nutrients from soil, transfer them to plants and improve plant nutrition. They can also reduce phosphorus (P) loss from leaching. Additional research indicates that interactions between soil fauna and AMF result in positive effects on plant biomass and plant nutrition. Such interactions can also deliver highly efficient nutrient cycling and enhanced mobilisation from soil resources with an effective pathway to plants. The promotion of internal nutrient cycling reduces the need for external nutrient inputs (ie fertiliser). In short this in an agricultural context promotes production performance and growth. From the research: − − − enriched soil life increased crop yield, nitrogen(N) and P uptake; and strongly reduced leaching losses; enriched soil life also increased P mobilisation from soil and overall increased nutrient-use efficiency. Synthesis and Conclusion Soil biota are a key factor determining resource efficiency in agriculture, through increasing the availability of nutrient resource, reducing the need for nutrient input (fertiliser), reducing leaching (nutrient losses)and delivering superior crop performance. The research indicates that farming practices which favour a rich and abundant soil life e.g. reduced tillage, organic farming and crop rotations, can reduce input cost, environmental impacts (and therefore costs/limitations) and enhance crop yield. In an investment sense this means management systems that support superior soil life in turn are more likely to deliver superior investment returns. References 1. Bender, S. F. & van der Heijden, M. G. A. (2015). Soil biota enhance agricultural sustainability by improving crop yield, nutrient uptake and reducing nitrogen leaching losses. Journal of Applied Ecology, 52(1), 228-239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12351 www.agro-ecological.com Glossary Disclaimer Soil Biota - Soil life, soil biota, soil fauna, or edaphon is a collective term that encompasses all the organisms that spend a significant portion of their life cycle within a soil profile, or at the soil-litter interface. These organisms include earthworms, nematodes, protozoa, fungi, bacteria and different arthropods. This document is not directed to, or intended for distribution to, or use by any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of, or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject Agro-Ecological Investment Management ("AEIM") to any registration or licensing requirement within such jurisdiction. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi - "Arbuscular mycorrhizae" is the scientific way of referring to a specific type of plant fungi of the Glomeromycota phylum (one of six fungal phyla), which has had a symbiotic relationship with at least 80% of vascular plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizae may be the most abundant type of fungus on Earth. The fungus helps the plant absorb water and nutrients by vastly increasing the surface area of the roots with its hyphae — long, branching filamentous cells. In return, the fungus gets valuable carbon and other essential biochemicals. The singular form of "arbuscular mycorrhizae" is arbuscular mycorrhiza. The information contained in this document has not been independently verified and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to, and no reliance should be placed on, the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information or opinions contained herein. Prospective Investors should not construe the contents of this document as legal, tax, investment or other advice. Neither AEIM, their representatives, nor their respective affiliates shall have any liability whatsoever for any loss whatsoever arising from any use of this document, or its content, or otherwise arising in connection with this document. What separates arbuscular mycorrhizae from other forms of fungi that live within plants is the hyphae of the mycorrhizae pierce the cell walls of the host plant. Within the plant, branching structures called arbuscules serve as the interface of nutrient exchange with the plants. These go in and out of cells. The symbiosis is so close that the expression of DNA of the plant changes in cells where arbuscules are present, the cell's cytoskeletons form around the arbuscules, and the cell's vacuoles shrink to make room for the structures. Soil fauna – see Soil Biota above. Mobilisation - is the process whereby plant nutrients held within the soil, are released by the actions of microbes, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, allowing them to be absorbed by plants. Leaching - with reference to a soluble chemical or mineral, to drain away from soil, ash, or similar material by the action of percolating liquid, especially rainwater. Tillage – the act, process of cultivating land. Agro-Ecological | [email protected] The information in this document is for background purposes only and it is based upon AEIM forecasts and reflects prevailing conditions and AEIM's views as of this date, all of which are subject to change. In preparing this document, AEIM have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information available from public sources. This document is not and does not purport to be complete in any way. The information included in this document may contain certain forward-looking statements relating to the business, financial performance and results of the New Zealand farming industry. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts. The forwardlooking statements contained in this document, including assumptions, opinions and views of AEIM or cited from third party sources are solely opinions and forecasts which are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from any anticipated development. None of AEIM or its advisors or any of their affiliates, officers or employees provides any assurance that the assumptions underlying such forwardlooking statements are free from errors nor does any of them accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this presentation or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. AEIM and its advisors assume no obligation to update any forwardlooking statements. All material presented in this document, unless specifically indicated otherwise, is under copyright to AEIM. None of the material, nor its content, nor any copy of it, may be altered in any way, transmitted to, copied or distributed to any other party, without prior express written permission of AEIM. | Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
© Copyright 2024