Agroecology
Agroecology is the application of ecological concepts, the study of relationships between plants, animals, people, and their environment - and the balance between these relationships, and principals in farming.[1]
In the context of Food Sovereignty, localization, and Bioregionalism utilizing agroecology is key to transitioning away from and repairing the destructive effects[2] of industrial agriculture.[3]
Mycelium
Mycorrhizal symbioses is a powerful tool to be employed in agroecological settings. Mycelium is highly efficient in facilitating plan nutrient uptake, water distribution and overall crop production.[4][5] Mycelium is able to increase Phosphorus and Nitrogen uptake and use efficiency,[6][7] which is vital in the transition away from Industrial Agriculture and artificial fertilizers. Mycelium can also help plants adapt to bioitic and abiotic stressors- increasing overall crop quality.[8][9]
Biofertilizer
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/14/3824
Agroecological Service Crops
Service crops are plants grown not for yield purposes, but to provide particular ecosystem services to the agrosystem. In no-till environments these crops can be utilized to prevent the spread of invasive weeds and do avoid detrimentally disturbing microorganisms in upper soil layers and mycorrhizal fungi.[10][11][12]
"Weeds"
Weeds are typically viewed in a negative light especially in the context of Industrial Agriculture. Looking at weeds through an agroecological lens shows how there are many practical uses and benefits to letting certain types of weeds grow. One example is spontoaneous flora promoting plant diversity and belowground interactions include Mycelium.[13]
Agroforestry
Soil Health
Sources
- ↑ https://www.soilassociation.org/causes-campaigns/a-ten-year-transition-to-agroecology/what-is-agroecology/
- ↑ https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/10-things-you-should-know-about-industrial-farming
- ↑ Botelho, M. I. V., Cardoso, I. M., & Otsuki, K. (2015). “I made a pact with God, with nature, and with myself”: exploring deep agroecology. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 40(2), 116–131. doi:10.1080/21683565.2015.11157
- ↑ Smith, S.E.; Read, D.J. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, 2nd ed.; Academic Press: London, UK, 1997; ISBN 9780080559346.
- ↑ Van der Heijden, M.G.A.; Klironomos, J.N.; Ursic, M.M.; Moutoglis, P.; Streitwolf-Engel, R.; Boller, T.; Wiemken, A.; Sanders, I.R. Mycorrhizal fungal diversity determines plant biodiversity, ecosystem variability and productivity. Nature 1998, 396, 69–72.
- ↑ Hill, J.O.; Simpson, R.J.; Ryan, M.H.; Chapman, D.F. Root hair morphology and mycorrhizal colonisation of pasture species in response to phosphorus and nitrogen nutrition. Crop. Past Sci. 2010, 61, 122–131.
- ↑ Trinchera, A.; Testani, E.; Ciaccia, C.Q.; Campanelli, G.; Leteo, F.; Canali, S. Effects induced by living mulch on rhizosphere interactions in organic artichoke: The cultivar’s adaptive strategy. Renew. Agr. Food Syst. 2016, 32, 214–223.
- ↑ Miceli, A.; Romano, C.; Moncada, A.; Piazza, G.; Torta, L.; D’Anna, F.; Vetrano, F. Yield and quality of mini-watermelon as affected by grafting and mycorrhizal inoculum. J. Agr. Sci. Tech. 2016, 18, 505–516.
- ↑ Salvioli, A.; Novero, M.; Lacourt, I.; Bonfante, P. The Impact of Mycorrhizal Symbiosis on Tomato Fruit Quality. In Proceedings of the 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress, Modena, Italy, 16–20 June 2008
- ↑ Canali, S.; Diacono, M.; Campanelli, G.; Montemurro, F. Organic no-till with roller crimpers: Agro-ecosystem services and Applications in organic Mediterranean vegetable productions. Sustain. Agric. Res. 2015, 4, 70–79.
- ↑ Campanelli, G.; Testani, E.; Canali, S.; Ciaccia, C.; Leteo, F.; Trinchera, A. Effects of cereals as agroecological service crops and no-till on organic melon, weeds and N. dynamics. Biol. Agric. Hort. 2019, 35, 275–287.
- ↑ Navarro-Miró, D.; Blanco-Moreno, J.M.; Ciaccia, C.; Chamorro, L.; Testani, E.; Kristensen, H.L.; Hefner, M.; Tamm, K.; Bender, I.; Jakop, M.; et al. Agroecological service crops managed with roller crimper reduce weed density and weed species richness in organic vegetable systems across Europe. Agron. Sust. Dev. 2019, 39, 55.
- ↑ Trinchera A, Warren Raffa D. Weeds: An Insidious Enemy or a Tool to Boost Mycorrhization in Cropping Systems? Microorganisms. 2023 Jan 29;11(2):334. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11020334. PMID: 36838299; PMCID: PMC9967897.