Re:An engineered barley plant that ‘orders’ soil bacteria to...
by paulkrush on Monday May 02, 2022 @11:02PM
(#31243996)
That’s a really good point. The article was talking about nitrogen and I conflated this with phosphorus and potassium with my “mined fertilizers” comment.
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Re:An engineered barley plant that ‘orders’ soil bacteria to...
by formerkrogemp on Tuesday May 03, 2022 @06:32AM
(#31246684)
Potash or "pot ash" can be produced at home with firewood and, well, a pot. It doesn't scale well though. Not enough to meet demand.
Re:An engineered barley plant that ‘orders’ soil bacteria to...
by Andys on Tuesday May 03, 2022 @04:58AM
(#31246171)
Understood, but I also wondered if someone had figured out how to genetically engineer away the need for this element in fertilizer.
Re:An engineered barley plant that ‘orders’ soil bacteria to...
by bell-cot on Tuesday May 03, 2022 @06:50AM
(#31246786)
Well...since phosphorus atoms are essential parts of DNA, RNA, ATP, and a <cough> few other slightly-important molecules in most cells, that might be difficult. And the humans or livestock eating the crops also need those molecules in their cells...