Mohamed Hijri: A simple solution to the coming phosphorus crisis

Biologist Mohamed Hijri brings to light a farming crisis no one is talking about: We are running out of phosphorus, an essential element that's a key component of DNA and the basis of cellular communication. All roads of this crisis lead back to how we farm -- with chemical fertilizers chock-full of the element, which plants are not efficient at absorbing. One solution? Perhaps ... a microscopic mushroom. (Filmed at TEDxUdeM.)

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[ErgoCogita]

Phosphorous is indeed a major problem in aquatic environments. I've been in aquatic for 20 years and can attest to high levels of phosphorous inducing HUGE blue green algae (cyanobacters) blooms so bad that it chokes out many balances in the ecosystem it pervades. I am also big into agriculture and I can also attest to the AMAZING benefits from introduction of Mycorrhizae. Hell, they even use it on Chicken farm floors to break down the phosphors and such in the crap with extreme rapidity.

[TMSKINS]

This should be written about in all the worlds newspapers!

[wayneuber]

Refreshing. An academic/dreamer that does more than merely observe, measure and report (and complain). This presenter also makes a recommendation that just might have some efficacy.

[samfortunato]

why are people downvoting this? this is a legitimate concern. i have food allergies, and i'd hate to have more food items added to the list of things i can't eat, as im already limited already and face difficulty eating almost every day. this speaker has some great ideas, but more angles such as dealing with food allergies should be considered. pushing aside people with food allergies should not be tolerated.

[TroyOi]

I don't think Dr, Hijri would argue that the depletion of mined phosphorus will mean the end of all plant life, or even a significant change in the nature of forests or other forms of wild vegetation. But the fact is that, in the past century, we have witnessed a revolution in agricultural technology. with crop yields surging beyond what our ancestors knew. Phosphorus is a big part of that. The danger is in declining crop yields, and significantly higher food prices, if no action is taken.

[Wifi_Cable]

I love seeing other languages on TED. because amazing ideas don't have to be in English.

[gonzalo-msaha]

Amazing, sounds like the best solution out there...it's a shame that almost nobody know about this huge problem.

[Aloalkubaisy]

For sure it will help fertilizing the soil and make more healthy for next crops, this idea is great, Hope to see it in action within the next 10 years.

[pja]

Looks great. Does the mushroom have nutritive value itself? Does it alter the nutritional makeup of the plant in any ways at all other than increasing phosphorus? Why does the mushroom go through the nucleus of the root cell?

[xPRCiSiONx]

We learned about mycorrhizae in my soils class, it didn't seem like it was too uncommon... I was lead to believe it occurs with almost every plant root. It would be interesting to learn if it is actually easy to add to a soil, I'll ask my professor later today.

[bluezone]

that feeling when you don't have to read the subtitles - muhahahahhah

[toa]

Another excellent video about the brilliant potential just waiting to be unlocked in creation. I love the mushroom videos. Thank you.

[Martial-Mat]

Yes, I noticed that he didn't mention cost. And then the scary "potassium is going to run out" graph. Surprisingly similar to the now discredited peak oil graph.

One thing he didn't mention; more potassium is only needed if we grow inefficiently. Genrtically modified plants are more adaptable and effeicient.

And didn't the plants all grow without fertilisers back in the good old days - you know; the past 3.5 billion years, up till 150 years ago?!

[SandmanPoetEmani]

Great work and theres subtitles just read

[riderlibertas]

Good Ted Talk! I cannot imagine why every farmer wouldn't want to use this simple mushroom knowing they can save money on chemicals and get a much better yield. I hope that this video helps to get the word out.

[Blasznik]

Maybe I am just stupid student of Horticulture from central Europe, but I was learned that the main source of phosphorus in rivers and lakes of my country are detergents. Why not fertilization? Because in opposition of nitrous - phosphorus molecules are not so able to move and need to be mixed with soil after sewing fertilizers in cultivation process.

[Martial-Mat]

Hardly - English is the world's most popular international language.It's not a matter of belittling anything - more a recognition that if you want to participate in international science, that you need the ability to communicate in the globe's common language.

[SystemLordNemo]

This is how one gets P from soil. P that goes to rivers, lakes and seas must be collected back harvesting the blue alga. Also fish eating birds transforms P to the plants. In theory we could stop water erosion using dams and filters around the plantations. P from sewage systems should optimally be collected and P from dead tissue recycled. Ultimately to get P back from sea floor we must grow something at sea floor.

[stephanethibault]

Well, about mycorhizomes, they do not cost more then phosphate and they are durable, meaning that when you add it to the culture, they will remain in the soil and colonize.

Also, you said that plants didn't need phosphate before, they did but nowadays, the way we cultivate the land by turning the soil destroys most of the living organism, compaction of the soil by heavy machinery, pesticides, etc. all add up to the fact that plants before and nowadays have to be treated differently.

[xxhellspawnedxx]

For electricity generation, absolutely. Not for cars, however. The most effective electric car there is still only gets 200 miles out of a full charge, at most, plus that full charge takes a considerable amount of time, Imagine going on a road trip or holiday and having to stop roughly every 2 hours of driving to refill your tank, and that refill taking 30 minutes. They are, as of yet, only really suitable for inner city shuttle driving - To and from work, to and from the store etc.