Re: miccorhizae

**nancy szerlag s*@earthlink.net**

Steve Driver has hit on an important point that all garden writers should
take note of. Many book authors, lecturers and magazine writers treat the
data on University websites as gospel and, as Steve notes, in many
instances, it's very old gospel. Some universities ARE doing cutting edge
research, but unfortunately, in many cases that info remains proprietary to
the funder. In my opinion, this should never happen at any land grant
university that is funded by public taxes, but alas it does. In most cases
there is a grad student working on the project and he/she will publish a
paper on the project.  The trick is to find a source for these papers. If
anyone has any ideas on this subject please let me know.

 As a free lance writer and lecturer, I spend  my own money to attend
professional conferences and trade shows in an attempt to stay on the
cutting edge of new technology.

The most recent article on tree planting in Horticulture magazine made no
mention of checking for root flares when adjusting soil levels when planting
trees. Studies show that many nurseries plant their liners too deep in the
pots and if replanted at that same level in the landscape there is an odds
on chance the tree will not live for more than a decade or two. Any article
written about proper tree planting should include this information. In this
case, it's out there and easy to find.

When I write about trees I consult with a local certified arborist who's
company is on the cutting edge of industry developments as part of my
research. In fact, that's where I start.

Nancy Szerlag     

> Three comments, perhaps they will help add clartity.
> 
> 1.
> 
> In my post I offered a dynamic resource list.  Folks that
> know me can appreciate that I put a lot of effort into
> research and synthesis, including a review of scientific and
> practitioner literature.
> 
> So, it is available if you want to cut through the chaff
> and see what you might be ablt to put your fingers on,
> instantly.    It has scientific literature, educational literature,
> databases, mycorrhizal suppliers, and web links galore.
> 
> 
> 2.
> 
> There are instances where scientists at your local
> agricultural college are 5, 10, 20 years behind the leading
> edge in organic farming, soil biology, and so forth.
> 
> How is the scientific literature supposed to contain
> this information when researchers are greatly under-funded,
> and when the peer-paradigm is rigid and about as old as
> as a wooly mammoth stuck in a tar pit?
> 
> 
> 3.
> 
> The original request implied that an article on mycorrhizae
> was needed. 
> 
> I would think that trade literarture, educational literature,
> and other boiled-down sources that explain mycorrhizae
> in layman's writing will be more useful than scientific literature
> that examines one variable among thousands.
> 
> Finally, in sustainable agriculture we have revolutionized
> the way information is transferred.  A horizontal flow
> of information that stretches between farmer to extension
> to researcher on a level playing field has replaced the top
> down approach.
> 
> I just came back from a horticultural growers conference.
> 
> It is obvious that organic farmers are years ahead
> of the university scientists.
> 
> In this instance, in Arkansas and Oklahoma, we have reached
> a point where the scientists openly admit the situation and are
> looking for farmers to partner with and learn from.
> 
> Steve Diver
> 
> 
> 
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