this post was submitted on 17 May 2026
20 points (88.5% liked)

Solarpunk Farming

2839 readers
1 users here now

Farm all the things!

Also see:

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
ex_06@slrpnk.net
poVoq@slrpnk.net
toaster@slrpnk.net
20
Fungus-powered farming delivers higher yields and better-tasting crops, says study (phys.org)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by carrotfox@piefed.social to c/farming@slrpnk.net
7 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Summary: Fungus-powered farming delivers higher yields and better-tasting crops, says study

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have found that an extract from the yeast-like fungus Pseudozyma aphidis can significantly boost crop yields while improving produce quality. Unlike previous approaches using live fungal cultures — which are difficult to apply consistently at scale — the team used a secreted extract, making results more reliable across different climates and environments.

Testing on tomatoes, corn, and melons showed an 18% improvement in tomato germination rates, flowering one to two weeks earlier, over 60% more ripe tomato fruit by weight, and melon yields five times greater than untreated plants. Tomatoes also scored higher in taste tests for firmness, sweetness, and aroma. The extract works by producing auxin-like plant hormones and siderophores that help plants absorb iron.

The researchers say the approach offers a practical, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, supporting food security without the associated environmental costs. The team plans to continue refining the extraction process to identify the specific compounds responsible for these effects.

top 7 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] solo@slrpnk.net 8 points 5 days ago

A reminder that this article was from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and that Israeli universities not only have an exceptionally close relationship with the Israeli military and arms industry, but also play a key role in planning, implementing and justifying Israel’s regime of occupation and apartheid.

Some specifics about the the Hebrew University of Jerusalem:

  • Mount Scopus campus is partly built on illegally occupied land in East Jerusalem.
  • Host the IDF’s Havatzalot academic elite program which is designed to train future intelligence officers.
  • Hosts the highly secretive Talpiot military program, combining military training with studies in math, physics and computer science.
  • Has publicly promoted its provision of ‘diverse logistics equipment to several military units’ since the invasion of Gaza began.
  • Michael Federmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Elbit and biggest owner, is also a member of the Board of Governors of both the Weizman Institute and the Hebrew University

source: https://academicsforpalestine.dk/academic-boycott/complicit-israeli-universities/

See also: 4 COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE ACADEMIC BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL

[–] Cursed_Fig@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago (3 children)

Cool!

It always blows me away that here in the 21st century we're just starting to figure out how to farm properly. I know the changes will be slow (my family's farm hasn't meaningfully changed operations since the '80s) but I'm excited to see what a typical modern (ie: rich person's) farm looks like in the year 2050.

[–] Cursed_Fig@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Another example is that we've recently discovered the significance of trees (or shady structures, like awnings or solar panels) in or around fields. Turns out most crops don't actually prefer 16 hours of direct sunlight! And some partial shade reduces the need for irrigation, to boot.

Go figure!

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 3 points 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Does "proper farming" leave the field barren or with a less value crop for a year, to regenerate?

[–] Cursed_Fig@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago

On our non-irrigated farmland we leave fields fallow every other year to regain nutrients.

[–] tburkhol@slrpnk.net 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Not a farmer, but my romanticized view of "proper" farming is a partnership with nature to get the whole ecosystem to focus on human-useful products. Apparently, that's not particularly profitable to the person trying to single-handedly farm a square mile or more, and discoveries like this seem one more way to decouple food production from natural processes. One more step in converting farms into factories.

[–] Cursed_Fig@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Farming transfers nutrients from the earth to food. That's just the way plants are ¯_(ツ)_/¯