Enhanced Ecosystems

Center for Eco Literacy.                                                                                                                                   In my last blog, I discussed that diversity favors balance which supports resilience. All this enhances ecological stability. Resilience encourages the plants built-in resistant traits. Healthy plants are less prone to diseases and insects. Plants have defense mechanisms that help them deal with insects and diseases. Plants use metabolites to help them digest the nutrients they need. Secondary metabolites help build plant defense mechanisms. Monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids are the main components of essential oils. These are toxic to insects. They also inhibit bacterial and fungal attacks. Phytoecdysones can mimic insect molting and disrupt the development of larvae. These also contain anti fungal properties. Defensins are another defense mechanism contained in plant proteins. Besides this, plant resistance also depends on structural barriers between cells. When there is a disturbance the cells are triggered and increase growth that blocks disease from entering. A good example of defense mechanisms is, when temperatures drop near freezing plants are triggered to send sugars out into the leaf. Sugars freeze at a lower temperature then water. This way the plants are more protected and we harvest the more nutritious and sweeter greens after a good frost. Plant roots are highly sensitive. Plant roots can release root exudates that are anti microbial  to inhibit diseases. When plants have an imbalance of nutrients they excrete certain compounds that make them attractive to diseases. Diseases in nature act as the culling out of weaker species. The diet of insect is more carbon than ours. So insects are less attracted to healthier plants.
 So can we mimic these behaviors through hybridization to support this type of development? It does work on a very short term basis with GMOs. Yet this short term is not truly sustainable. It relies on outside inputs and artificial interaction. This means it addresses issues on a one dimensional level. The dynamics of a biologically balanced ecosystem is three dimensional and difficult, if not impossible to manifest with genetic interference. To facilitate the forces of nature is to hold obedience and reverence to the laws of nature. Nature works in multidimensional patterns.
 So creating a healthy environment is key to growing the best plants. This is done both above and below the ground. With diversity I incorporate my cut flowers or herbs in or near beds with vegetables and fruit. They attract beneficial ones and deters unwanted ones. This is part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Here is an example. Buckwheat attracts a wasp that preys on squash bugs. Grasses harbor spiders. Grasses also attract leafhoppers and thrips that can be vectors of disease. that can be a problem for grapes. So grasses are allowed around squash but not grapes. With diversity I try to introduce compatible relationships. Learning what works is an ongoing process. The dynamics of each microcosm is unique. Plants adjust to their surroundings. If I were forming an education group, I would prefer it to develop organically. Plant groupings develop their own dynamics. In ecosystems the ability to adjust to their environment is very important. Each garden setting is unique and a one of a kind. It's individuality favors it's beauty. Plants acclimate to more extreme weather than ever before. So hardy plants are needed to deal with these challenges. Healthy soils create healthy plants. Biotic or biological factors are important to maintain. Cynobacteria (blue green algae), azospirillum,  rhizobia, and antinomycetes are just a few bacterial that build healthy soils. The best way to encourage this is with quality compost. I try to use diverse manures in my piles. I also use minerals like granite sand (high in K). I also use high nutritious plants like compfrey, stinging nettles, dandelions, yarrow, chamomile, Good compost does so much. Epigenetics: the study of changes in organisms caused by modifications of gene expression rather than alterations of the genetic code itself (which is what GMO is trying to do. Plant growth substances (phytohormones) that promote cell division or cytokinesis. A PH of 6.5 helps make nutrients available to plants. Soils that hold water yet drain and breathe are important to a healthy biology in the soil. Being a good steward of land is a commitment that comes with an ongoing learning process. There is more information in my book, Radical Regenerative Gardening and Farming.