How Farmers Can Improve Plant Health with Endophytic Microbes: A Conversation with Dr. James White

I've long followed the fascinating research of Dr. James White of Rutgers University in New Jersey.  He is a plant pathologist with a PhD in mycology.  His specialty is "symbiosis research", particularly the impact of endophytic microbes in plant development and behavior. The nerdiest among you will rejoice at a science-rich episode in which Dr. White helps us understand how bacteria and fungus enter a plant as endophytes to help plants defend against stress, diseases and pests as well as provide the nutrients they need for growth and development. 

Turns out plants are farmers too!  And in many ways we human farmers need to get out of their way and let them do their own work!  

In this episodes we talk about the rhizophagy cycle, in which microbes – not humans – provide the nutrients plants need. 

We also talk about how we can support the rhizophagy cycle by boosting soil biology as a whole, something many of you are already doing through regenerative farming.

And we talk about how seed production can be adjusted to produce stock for healthier plants and greater resiliency in the face of climate change.  So if you're seed saving, make sure you listen closely to that part!

What's really exciting about Dr. White's research is two parts:

First, his work has shown that if we pay attention to soil biology – namely endophytes -- we create disease suppressing soils.  With a bounty of diverse biology in the soil, devastating diseases like fusarium and pythium not only become benign but may even become beneficial!  Whaaaaa???

Secondly, while Dr. White has not conducted research directly on homemade inputs like JADAM Liquid Fertilizer and other brews a la Korean Natural Farming, he absolutely sees a correlation between them and his studies of the impact of endophytic microbes on plant health and production.  In particular, he sees these inputs as very beneficial at the time of seed starting, helping to load up the soil surrounding the seed with diverse and bountiful biology, which will lead to better root development and disease resistance. 

Which means this is a great time to remind you to go back in the archives here of No-Till Flowers and relisten to Episode 28 where I talked with Lisa Zeigler about Seed Starting, Regenerative Style.   

 

Learn more from Dr. James White by listening to these two episdoes on the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast with John Kempf: 

Reshaping How Agriculture Sees Plant Nutrient Uptake

How Plant Absorb Living Microbes and Convert Soil Pathogens into Beneficials 

 

And read some of Dr. White's research papers on Research Gate: 

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James-White-31

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE?  

Join the Regenerative Flower Farmers Network (RFFN) for just $20/year if you'd like to continue the conversation on topics covered in this episode.

You'll also gain access to lots of helpful articles, discussion boards, and online courses. 

On-demand Online Courses for Farmers Available on RFFN: 

• Foliage for the Win
• Successful Flower CSAs and Subscriptions
• CREW: Hiring and Managing
• Simple Steps to Better Marketing

Tap into the above courses and resources any time you need.  These are available on-demand through the Regenerative Flower Farmers Network. 

 

>>> FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, GET 3 SHORT COURSES FOR $300.