b'To Exclude or Not to ExcludeROBIN OMARA Thats the Question! PRESIDENT,OMARA AG SERVICESromara60@msn.comomara-ag.comIF YOUVE BEENpaying attentionmicrobial communities in agricultural to my columns, youll know that insettings, however a great deal more my last article, we dove deep downresearch is required before we canWhat 50 Years Have into the soil around a plant to learntruly understand and fully leverage about microbes and the microbiometheir benefits. (in plants, called the phytobiome).When it comes down to creating aTaught meWell, were not quite done with thatbiological that can smoothly integrate dive yet! From here, theres a questioninto the microbiome and provide pre- I HAVE LEARNEDa lot in 50 years, and some we must ask: We should just get riddictable crop performance improve- things have taken me 50 years to learn. Those were of the bad microbes, right? Well, itsments, what should the approach be?the words from an Indiana seedsman, a long term complicated.Currently, agriculture uses a lot ofcustomer and a great friend, Bob Hubner. He was Our view of agriculture is, bychemistry designed to completelyexcitedly explaining all the changes he might make definition, very human-centric. Iteliminate all or large segments ofto the new to him seed corn facility just acquired. comes down to asking, What do wemicrobes from an environment. WeHis excited anticipation for changes was immedi-want to produce and how much?now know that complete soil steri- ately followed by another statement I will never Traditionally, some very strong toolslization is not a good thing unlessforget: One of the things Ive learned in those in the agricultural arsenal that enablethe soil can be reinoculated with a50 years is to not change things until I try them. us to answer these questions arehealthy mix of first colonizers. In thisThese are wise words from a wise man. They say chemistries that eliminate diseasecontext, the definition of healthy isthat good decisions come from wisdom, that causing microbes (pathogens). Asstill unknown considering what wevewisdom comes from experience, and that experi-we learn more about the microbiomealready discussed about variableence comes from bad decisions. Seems true, eh?and the sheer numbers of microbesnature of pathogens and beneficials inI feel that I learn something from everyone I present in every aspect of our lives,the total microbiome. Perhaps insteadmeet and everything I do. Sometimes it is how to do we need to rethink this strategy?we need to be thinking more aboutbe, sometimes it is how to not to be. It may be a There must be a reason that the plantways to steer existing microbial com- bit of O.C.D., but I am also blessed (or cursed) with has all these diverse microbes in itsmunities in the performance direc- trying to find a more efficient way in everything I microbiome. tion we want by introducing strongdo. Years ago, my company formed its board com-The more we study the microbi- guide microbes.prised of the people who treat this business as their ome, the more we realize that whileThats really where ABM stepsown business: they care that things are done right. perceived plant pathogens may bein. Through our biological products,We use all of our wisdom, experience and experi-present, they are not always causingwere providing our own rhizobiaences from bad decisions to form go-forward plans disease. Microbes that are generallyand Trichoderma to the seed. Wefor most everything we do.considered beneficial can be foundknow that our rhizobia perform in microbial communities having anbetter than native, wild rhizobia, andMore of what 50 years have taught me:overall neutral or even negative effectweve developed our Trichoderma to Select the best equipment based upon value on the plant. Our understanding ofprovide specific traits and be strongrather than price.biologicals has truly evolved since firstmicrobial leaders. Our product design A couple of bucks more can get you more capac- being able to quantify and identifyis not to exclude any microbes fromity or automation that can help you hire fresh the microbiome but rather to act astalent or train new talent on your process.guide organisms that remodel the soil Remember the all-important service access ormicrobial community into somethingability to service equipment.that will provide specific performanceTake a futuristic look at things so as not to build enhancements.yourself into a corner.Use your wisdom based upon your experience to guide your choices. After close to 40 years in this business, Im start- MOLLY CADLE-DAVIDSON ing to get the hang of this seed equipment thing. I CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER, ABM am doing my best every day to not change things mollycadle-davidson@abm1st.com until I try them.abm1st.comHave a happy and prosperous New Year!32/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2021'