Helpful Herb

 

Over-use of fertilizers, by farmers, degrades soil. Run-off from their fields also produces damaging eutrophication in rivers, streams and lakes. The John Innes Centre (Norwich) have now  identified a mutant form of Barrel medick (Medicago truncatula). This legume has impressive root bacterial and fungal endosymbionts (organisms living inside the plant for mutual benefit), allowing it to thrive with only tiny amounts of nitrate and phosphate fertilizers. A similar gene may also be developed for wheat. This mutant may prove a real boon for genuinely sustainable agriculture  (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/22/uk-soil-breakthrough-could-cut-farm-fertiliser-use-and-advance-sustainable-agriculture). This is a breakthrough. Farmers, however, will also need training. Many of the current problems with nitrates and phosphates, are caused by farmers being too liberal, when spreading fertilizers on their fields. They need to titrate their additions better.