The universal industry standard for making yield on commodity crops has been to supply the plant enough nitrogen, typically based on university recommendations, and a crop will produce at its desired outcome.

New gene research is now showing when certain plants are grown in low and marginal nitrogen environments, specific genes are triggered to encourage what is called root foraging — a process that causes the roots to elongate to seek nitrogen.

This process is not new, and most plants will root forage. However, when nitrogen is low this is typically to the detriment of the plant. The research concludes this gene can be transferred to other crop species to further this foraging trait and allow a wider variety of crops to be grown in marginal nitrogen environments and ultimately reduce the amount of nitrogen needed to produce a crop.

This is an interesting discovery and will be curiously watched to see if and how it is implemented. From an environmental standpoint the reduction of nitrate nitrogen, the majority of commercial nitrogen application, would be a huge benefit.

The reduced leaching and runoff potentials would certainly improve water quality. From a soil health perspective, organic nitrogen, forms derived from legumes and manure application along with life cycles of soil bugs is a benefit. These forms are stable and the more organic nitrogen present in the soil the more bugs that can live there increasing organic matter.

When organic matter is increased the soil’s ability to hold more air, water and breakdown residue is increased — all a benefit to the farmer.

While there is no specific timeline on implementation or expanded use of this discovery, those who implement soil health practices can see a similar benefit by maximizing living roots and planting diverse mixes.

The extended growing season that cover crops provide allow roots to naturally go deeper increasing the organic matter levels and depth of organic matter. Crop roots then follow these existing root channels and help create more organic nitrogen.

Keep in mind heavy reliance on commercial fertilizers reduce these actions and shows that tissue and soil nitrogen testing is important to provide the proper amount of nitrogen to the crop; something to keep in mind this upcoming crop year.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.