Kansas Study: More Crop Diversity, Less Harmful Microbes

A recent University of Kansas study adds some empirical evidence to the wisdom of crop rotations, showing that diverse row crops in rotation help keep soil-borne pathogens under control. Jim Bever was the lead scientist on the project and shares some takeaways with our Dan Crummett. 

CRUMMETT: “What seems to be going on in the root zone of crops planted for biodiversity vs. those in a mono crop culture?

BEVER: “Plant roots interact with thousands of microbes — some are beneficial and some are pathogenic. In monocultures, pathogens accumulate that consume that plant and the net effect tilts negative. This is because the crop is dealing with the pathogens that accumulate on its own roots as well as getting pathogens from its neighbor. In polycultures, the neighboring plant is a different species, and the crop is likely to be immune to the pathogens from its neighbor, while it's still benefiting from the beneficial microbes, so the net effect is positive.”

Check out Dan’s in-depth article about the study on No-TillFarmer.com.

Watch the full version of this episode of Conservation Ag Update.