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Research offers a reason why diversity in plant species causes higher farming yield, solving 'a bit of a mystery' (phys.org)

submitted 11 months ago by GreyShuck@feddit.uk to c/biology@mander.xyz

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A study appearing in Nature Communications based on field and greenhouse experiments at the University of Kansas shows how a boost in agricultural yield comes from planting diverse crops rather than just one plant species: Soil pathogens harmful to plants have a harder time thriving.

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[–] JoMomma@lemm.ee 10 points 11 months ago

This was not a mystery, and hasn't been for a while, this is why we intercrop and partner plant with mycorrhizal-relation forming plants

[–] teft@startrek.website 4 points 11 months ago

Looks like i’ll be sticking with my three sisters planting for the rest of my life then.

[–] The_v@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

They planted 18 common prairie plants that have evolved together in mixed ecologies. There is zero connection with agriculture. Basically the data does show that plant species that have evolved in mixed species groups do better in mixed species groups.

It's a common ecology paper that they are trying to push the results way too far.