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Sam Knowlton

@samdknowlton • 31,157 subscribers

Agronomy consultant to leading ag and food companies – specialty crops, citrus, coffee, cacao, agroforestry. @soilsymbiotics & @somafarmgroup

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This 30-ton autonomous planter can sow 400 hectares in 24 hours. It also significantly degrades 400 hectares of soil in 24 hours. A planter of this size aggressively compacts the soil surface and pulverizes the critical soil aggregates. Just look at the plume of topsoil left in the planter's wake. Arguably worse than surface compaction is the subsurface compaction caused by the force of a 30-ton machine traveling over the field. An initial compaction layer develops as deep as 2 feet and continues upward as new hardpan layers form on top of each other with each subsequent pass of the planter. Eventually, the subsurface compaction meets the surface compaction, and what remains is soil with no water-holding capacity, devoid of life, without the ability to cycle nutrients and generally inhospitable to crops. Despite its speed and efficiency, this planter ultimately takes the life out of farming, from the soil on up to the human operator.

This 30-ton autonomous planter can sow 400 hectares in 24 hours. It also significantly degrades 400 hectares of soil in 24 hours. A planter of this size aggressively compacts the soil surface and pulverizes the critical soil aggregates. Just look at the plume of topsoil left in the planter's wake. Arguably worse than surface compaction is the subsurface compaction caused by the force of a 30-ton machine traveling over the field. An initial compaction layer develops as deep as 2 feet and continues upward as new hardpan layers form on top of each other with each subsequent pass of the planter. Eventually, the subsurface compaction meets the surface compaction, and what remains is soil with no water-holding capacity, devoid of life, without the ability to cycle nutrients and generally inhospitable to crops. Despite its speed and efficiency, this planter ultimately takes the life out of farming, from the soil on up to the human operator.

308,127 Aufrufe

Cover crops increase infiltration of rainfall by as much as 6x, decrease sediments lost to erosion by as much as 20 tons/acre, and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses by as much as 90%. An orchard with cover crops versus an orchard with bare soil after 3 inches of rain:

Cover crops increase infiltration of rainfall by as much as 6x, decrease sediments lost to erosion by as much as 20 tons/acre, and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses by as much as 90%. An orchard with cover crops versus an orchard with bare soil after 3 inches of rain:

269,334 Aufrufe

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This former conventional coffee farm was completely reliant on ever-increasing applications of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and an aggressive rotation of fungicides just to break even in a good year. After a comprehensive and holistic transition, it has become one of the best examples of regenerative agriculture in the context of coffee—not to mention its breathtaking beauty. Here are a few highlights: –Synthetic NPK was phased out completely, with no drop in yield and a dramatic increase in quality. –Fungicides have been replaced with biological controls and nutrition to manage coffee leaf rust, which now has an incidence rate below 1% across the farm. Previously, it was as high as 40% annually while using more than five types of chemical fungicides. –The soil is now covered with a diverse perennial cover that enriches the soil microbiome, retains more water, increases nutrient cycling, and eliminates the need for herbicides. –The farm now produces prized hardwoods, unique spices, cacao, and a variety of fruits, along with its award-winning coffee. This has garnered support from long-term buyers and roasters who recognize the farm's immense value to the coffee world.

This former conventional coffee farm was completely reliant on ever-increasing applications of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and an aggressive rotation of fungicides just to break even in a good year. After a comprehensive and holistic transition, it has become one of the best examples of regenerative agriculture in the context of coffee—not to mention its breathtaking beauty. Here are a few highlights: –Synthetic NPK was phased out completely, with no drop in yield and a dramatic increase in quality. –Fungicides have been replaced with biological controls and nutrition to manage coffee leaf rust, which now has an incidence rate below 1% across the farm. Previously, it was as high as 40% annually while using more than five types of chemical fungicides. –The soil is now covered with a diverse perennial cover that enriches the soil microbiome, retains more water, increases nutrient cycling, and eliminates the need for herbicides. –The farm now produces prized hardwoods, unique spices, cacao, and a variety of fruits, along with its award-winning coffee. This has garnered support from long-term buyers and roasters who recognize the farm's immense value to the coffee world.

190,940 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

A laser scan shows a plant root, in blue, enveloped by a mycorrhizal fungus, in red Mycorrhizal fungi provide plants with nutrients, water and defense from pathogens in exchange for sugars This image beautifully displays an ancient symbiosis where fungus and root become one

A laser scan shows a plant root, in blue, enveloped by a mycorrhizal fungus, in red Mycorrhizal fungi provide plants with nutrients, water and defense from pathogens in exchange for sugars This image beautifully displays an ancient symbiosis where fungus and root become one

230,037 Aufrufe • vor 3 Jahren

This video shows real-time carbon flows inside a mycorrhizal network. Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with ~ 90% of terrestrial plants and have done so for 400 million years. These specialized fungi provide plants with nutrients and water in exchange for carbon-based exudates the plant produces through photosynthesis. Current estimates say that between 4 and 20 percent of all CO2 pulled in by plants ends up stored in mycorrhizal tissues. Considering plants need to build an entire above-ground structure, a root system, and produce flowers, fruits, and seeds, this is an astounding amount of carbon to allocate to mycorrhizal biomass. A recent review study estimates that global plant communities transfer 13.1 gigatons of CO2 to the underground mycelium of mycorrhizal fungi each year – equivalent to roughly 1/3 of annual CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. The amount of time the carbon is locked up in fungi’s mycelium remains unknown. Nonetheless, the influx of such a massive amount of carbon into the soil is a boon for soil ecology, nutrient cycling, and the health of water cycles. It is no wonder the formation of terrestrial ecosystems largely started with the mycorrhizal fungi/plant partnership. Video credit: @rachaelcargill

This video shows real-time carbon flows inside a mycorrhizal network. Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with ~ 90% of terrestrial plants and have done so for 400 million years. These specialized fungi provide plants with nutrients and water in exchange for carbon-based exudates the plant produces through photosynthesis. Current estimates say that between 4 and 20 percent of all CO2 pulled in by plants ends up stored in mycorrhizal tissues. Considering plants need to build an entire above-ground structure, a root system, and produce flowers, fruits, and seeds, this is an astounding amount of carbon to allocate to mycorrhizal biomass. A recent review study estimates that global plant communities transfer 13.1 gigatons of CO2 to the underground mycelium of mycorrhizal fungi each year – equivalent to roughly 1/3 of annual CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. The amount of time the carbon is locked up in fungi’s mycelium remains unknown. Nonetheless, the influx of such a massive amount of carbon into the soil is a boon for soil ecology, nutrient cycling, and the health of water cycles. It is no wonder the formation of terrestrial ecosystems largely started with the mycorrhizal fungi/plant partnership. Video credit: @rachaelcargill

188,076 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren

This slake test shows the difference in soil structure between 10 years of tillage (on the left) and 10 years of pasture (on the right). When dropped into water, the chunk of tilled soil quickly breaks apart as water is drawn into unstable pores. On the other hand, the pasture soil has stable aggregates and macropores that maintain their form in the presence of water. Stable soil aggregates and macropores are formed when soil has the right ratio of cations to allow for flocculation, enough biological activity to stick soil particles together with microbial and root exudates, and sufficient organic matter to drive the cycle. While some tilled soils will have the right chemistry to form a healthy structure, routine tillage simply doesn't allow for the biological activity required to maintain the structure. This results in poor nutrient cycling, drastically reduced water-holding capacity, and topsoil erosion. A slake test is a quick and easy way to grade a soil's structure. Video credit: Ranae Dietzel

This slake test shows the difference in soil structure between 10 years of tillage (on the left) and 10 years of pasture (on the right). When dropped into water, the chunk of tilled soil quickly breaks apart as water is drawn into unstable pores. On the other hand, the pasture soil has stable aggregates and macropores that maintain their form in the presence of water. Stable soil aggregates and macropores are formed when soil has the right ratio of cations to allow for flocculation, enough biological activity to stick soil particles together with microbial and root exudates, and sufficient organic matter to drive the cycle. While some tilled soils will have the right chemistry to form a healthy structure, routine tillage simply doesn't allow for the biological activity required to maintain the structure. This results in poor nutrient cycling, drastically reduced water-holding capacity, and topsoil erosion. A slake test is a quick and easy way to grade a soil's structure. Video credit: Ranae Dietzel

141,841 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren

Fungi build the largest and fastest transportation systems on earth. Here nuclei containing DNA move through a mycelial network. The nuclei move much faster than microtubule motors allow other cellular cargo to travel. How and why the nuclei move faster is still a mystery.

Fungi build the largest and fastest transportation systems on earth. Here nuclei containing DNA move through a mycelial network. The nuclei move much faster than microtubule motors allow other cellular cargo to travel. How and why the nuclei move faster is still a mystery.

78,755 Aufrufe • vor 3 Jahren

Over the course of 5 years, Fazenda Mata do Lobo in Goiás, Brazil, converted conventional corn and soy fields into a thriving agroforestry system featuring coffee. No longer mono-cropped, this system yields limes, mango, avocado, banana, several hardwood species, and specialty grade coffee. Coffee farming can be a catalyst for ecosystem restoration and the diverse and profitable production of several crops within the same system.

Over the course of 5 years, Fazenda Mata do Lobo in Goiás, Brazil, converted conventional corn and soy fields into a thriving agroforestry system featuring coffee. No longer mono-cropped, this system yields limes, mango, avocado, banana, several hardwood species, and specialty grade coffee. Coffee farming can be a catalyst for ecosystem restoration and the diverse and profitable production of several crops within the same system.

43,492 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren

This AI powered laser weeder uses high-resolution cameras and advanced computing to eliminate weeds with precision lasers. The laser weeder can hit up to 80 weeds per second, averaging 3,000 weeds per minute. The savings in weed control costs is as much as 80%.

This AI powered laser weeder uses high-resolution cameras and advanced computing to eliminate weeds with precision lasers. The laser weeder can hit up to 80 weeds per second, averaging 3,000 weeds per minute. The savings in weed control costs is as much as 80%.

22,908 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Organic corn harvest between rows of 4-year-old walnut trees. This alley-cropping system features a rotation of organic grains, including corn and rye while the walnut trees mature and fill out, ultimately providing a windfall harvest of nuts and fine hardwood. The combined productivity of walnuts and grains grown together in this integrated system exceeds the total productivity of each crop grown separately on the same total land area – also known as overyielding. Video from my friends and colleagues at Soil Capital Farming.

Organic corn harvest between rows of 4-year-old walnut trees. This alley-cropping system features a rotation of organic grains, including corn and rye while the walnut trees mature and fill out, ultimately providing a windfall harvest of nuts and fine hardwood. The combined productivity of walnuts and grains grown together in this integrated system exceeds the total productivity of each crop grown separately on the same total land area – also known as overyielding. Video from my friends and colleagues at Soil Capital Farming.

22,829 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

This is Hector. He grafts 700 coffee trees per day. Here he's grafting a locally adapted variety, selected for its exceptional flavor, onto the rootstock of a different species known for its vigorous root system. The resulting tree will have the best traits from both plants

This is Hector. He grafts 700 coffee trees per day. Here he's grafting a locally adapted variety, selected for its exceptional flavor, onto the rootstock of a different species known for its vigorous root system. The resulting tree will have the best traits from both plants

28,917 Aufrufe • vor 3 Jahren

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