Maximum Yield Australia/New Zealand March/April 2019 | Page 22

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FACTS
Massive Mushroom Considered Largest Organism on Earth
A mega honey mushroom, thought to be one of the biggest living
organisms on Earth, is much larger and much older than scientists
first thought. First studied in 1992 in a Michigan forest, the
massive mushroom, first thought to be 1,500 years old, is in
fact closer to 2,500 years old and weighs more than 440 tons.
Amazingly, it stretches across 70 hectares. The honey mushroom,
which largely consists of an underground network of tendrils
wrapped around tree roots, is heavier than three blue whales. While
the Michigan fungus is large, it is outclassed by another honey
mushroom from Oregon that is even bigger. There is also the Pando
aspen in Utah, a forest originating from a single underground parent
clone that is thought to weigh up to 6.6 tons. The honey mushroom is
edible but isn’t among the most flavourful fungi out there.
— independent.co.uk
The Five Healthiest Leafy Greens
Most know leafy greens are good to grow and good for you as well, but
which are the healthiest? Kale is number one due to its many vitamins,
minerals, and antioxidants. To benefit from all its properties it’s best to eat it
raw as cooking can reduce its nutrient profile. Second best are microgreens,
which can contain up to 40 times more nutrients than their mature
counterparts, including vitamins C, E, and K. Collard greens come in at
number three and they are a great source of calcium as well as vitamins
A, B9, and C. They are also one of the best sources for vitamin K.
Ranking fourth is spinach, which is another fantastic source of
vitamins A, K, and manganese. Cabbage is fifth thanks to its
overall nutrient value, plus studies on animals have shown it
protects against lung and esophageal cancer.
— healthline.com
How Robotics Will Influence Agriculture in 2019
More and more, farmers and cultivators are turning to
technology to help maintain crop health and production. In 2019,
robots, or agribots as they are sometimes called, will have more
influence on the industry. Robots will help address the problem of a
dwindling workforce while allowing farmers to work more efficiently.
Harvest CROO Robotics develops crop-harvesting robots which have
a workload capacity equivalent to 30 human workers. And despite fears
robots are taking jobs, one agricultural researcher says that’s not true. “The
jobs have already been lost. What we’re trying to actually do is increase the
skill level that farm workers will have, where they’ll become a fleet manager
overseeing the autonomous vehicles,” says Jonathan Gill. Soon, robots will be
able to detect plant disease, saving farmers money. Using automation also gives
growers more time to focus on the business of farming.
— freshplaza.com
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