Ontario Grain Farmer April/May 2021

has had much personal success on her farm in Washington state. Because plant species differ in their ability to acquire nutrients, she says, systems which allow different types of roots to mingle can improve nutrient uptake. Like the relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and roots, that is, roots themselves can share resources to improve overall quality and yield. The trick is finding what crop combinations best support each other. Legumes such as alfalfa and soybeans, for example, can effectively feed a corn crop throughout the growing season. As a cover crop, the former pair would only make nutrients available for the corn crop to access on its own. Potential yield differences aside, her research suggests companion cropping in this way drastically reduces variations in water-use efficiency. She adds farmers should be mindful not to mix crops in a way which could cause harvest troubles, or impede above-ground growth (e.g. by planting climbing species, such as peas, too early). Overall, she encourages farmers to use roots as a way to work with — rather than against — natural process. “Monoculture farming sets us up to fail because it’s not a natural system,” says Clapperton. “Everything needs the support of a community. When we are just growing one thing, we are always going to struggle.” l ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 23 APRIL/MAY 2021 The role of roots within the soil ecosystem is what makes them comparatively special. PROVEN PERFORMANCE. NOWWITH THE ADDITION OF GLUFOSINATE TOLERANCE. Talk to your dealer or visit Traits.bayer.ca to learn more. Bayer isamemberofExcellenceThroughStewardship ® (ETS). Bayerproductsarecommercialized inaccordancewithETSProduct LaunchStewardshipGuidance, and incompliancewith Bayer’sPolicy forCommercializationofBiotechnology-DerivedPlantProducts inCommodityCrops. Theseproductshavebeenapproved for import intokeyexportmarketswith functioning regulatory systems. Any cropormaterial produced fromtheseproducts canonly beexported to, or used, processedor sold incountrieswhereall necessary regulatory approvalshavebeen granted. It isaviolationofnational and international lawtomovematerial containingbiotechtraitsacrossboundaries intonationswhere import isnotpermitted.Growersshouldtalktotheir grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for these products. Excellence Through Stewardship ® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready ® 2 Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate . Products with XtendFlex ® Technology contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate and dicamba. Glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to dicamba. Glufosinate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glufosinate. Contact your seed brand dealer or refer to the Bayer Technology Use Guide for recommended weed control programs. Roundup Ready ® , Roundup Ready 2 Xtend ® , Roundup Ready 2 Yield ® and XtendFlex ® are trademarks of Bayer Group. Used under license. LibertyLink ® and the Water Droplet Design ® are trademarks of BASF Corporation. Used under license. ©2021 Bayer Group. All rights reserved. THE CHOICE YOU NEED. THE YIELD YOU WANT.