b'Moving Beyond the Bug in a Jar JIM SCHWEIGERTPRESIDENT, GRO ALLIANCE Approach will Revolutionize Soil Healthjim.schweigert@groalliance.comgroalliance.com@jim_schweigert THE WORLD OFsoil is a realm oferative agriculture. By tailoring soil mysteries, just like the vastness ofhealth programs to individual farms space. As a scientist, I find it fascinat- and integrating various practices and ing to delve into the enigmas that lieproducts, we can maximize the posi-beneath our feet and explore the intri- tive benefits while minimizing poten-EPA Decision Echoes Popcate workings of the soil ecosystem. tial trade-offs or conflicts with other Among the many captivatingmanagement objectives.Culture: Save the Planet, frontiers in soil science, the impact of biostimulants on soil microbesThe FutureBut You Cant Use Innovation and their subsequent effects on cropWhile biostimulans have powerful growth holds particular interest for me. applications today, we stand at the ENERGY, TRANSPORTATIONand construc- The potential to understand howprecipice of a transformative shift tion are using advanced materials and technologybiostimulant products influence soilin this field. No longer content with to decrease their climate impact while enablingmicrobes, and how these microbes, inthe current bug in a jar approach, modern comforts. Agriculture is trying to do theturn, enhance crop health, offers bothwhere specific microbes are applied same but keeps having to jump over hurdles putscientific advancements and practicalto the soil, we are increasingly recog-up by the publics bucolic view of farming. Now,applications in farming. nizing the need to cultivate a custom-add the EPA to the list of agricultural Luddites.While we have discovered thatized microbiome that thrives within All plants naturally produce plant-incorporatedAcadian Plant Healths seaweedeach unique soil environment.protectants (PIPs) to defend themselves againstextract products can boost theMany of the microbes commonly bugs, mites and other insects. The EPA, however,diversity and activity of soil microbes,introduced with current bistimulants extended onerous regulations developed for GMOswe still have much to learn about themay struggle to establish themselves to non-GMO plant breeding techniques, like geneintricacies of these interactions acrossand provide lasting benefits with-editing. These are the same breeding techniquesdifferent soil types. out the appropriate conditions. Our that the EPA itself says are equivalent to conven- Realizing the full potential of soilutilization of seaweed extracts aims to tional breeding, so why add this additional regula- health requires a holistic and inte- amplify the diversity and abundance of tory burden? The EPAs logic here is deeply flawed.grated approach. By combining thenatural microbial populations in the soil.Its an even bigger blow to small and mid-sizeuse of our seaweed extracts withThis strategic focus on enhancing plant breeders. The burdensome EPA rule all butpractices such as cover cropping,overall microbial diversity and foster-guarantees that only the biggest companies canreduced tillage, crop rotation, anding a resilient microbial community navigate and afford the path through the layers ofnutrient management strategies, wetailored to each specific soil holds bureaucracy. This encourages consolidation andcan unlock synergies that enhance soilthe key to developing enduring and discourages new market entrants like startupshealth and overall system resilience. sustainable agricultural systems.and public-private partnerships. This highlights aCustomization is key, as each farmAs we continue to unravel the confounding challenge for seed companies andhas its unique context, goals, evencomplexities of soil microbes and farmers; this constant pressure to produce morewithin the same principles of regen- their interactions, we are ushering in a food, fuel, fiber and feed while doing so on lessnew era that emphasizes the creation land, using less resources and now with restric- of customized and resilient microbi-tions on technology. There wont be a 21st centuryomes. This paradigm shift not only lifestyle with plant breeding and farming tools frompropels scientific knowledge forward the 1800s.but also empowers growers to opti-There have been incredible innovations in plantmize soil health and achieve long-breeding since the 1990s. Those technologiesterm sustainability in agriculture.have trimmed the use of insecticide, herbicide and reduced the impact on non-target and beneficial insects. Its an amazing story of how technology and innovation have contributed to climate-smartHOLLY LITTLEsolutions for decades. The EPA claims its mission DIRECTOR, RESEARCH AND is protecting human health and the environment.DEVELOPMENT, ACADIAN PLANT HEALTHSo how exactly does making it harder to reduceacadianplanthealth.comspraying insecticide help accomplish that? hlittle@acadian.ca40/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2023'