Shanghai-led global study backs plant diversity in agriculture

A study led by a team from Shanghai-based East China University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with researchers from 18 institutions across nine countries, has proved that planting a diversity of plant species can significantly boost yields.

The benefits come from both direct and indirect effects, which is a result of suppressing plant pests and diseases.

Their findings offer a scientifically innovative and practically feasible path for developing efficient ecological agriculture, forestry and grassland management, said the team.

A paper about the research, which analyzed more than 5,700 sets of data from over 600 experiments worldwide, covering the three major ecosystems of farmland, grassland, and forest across tropical and temperate regions, was recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

The researchers found that when multiple plant species coexist rather than being planted in monocultures, they employ a sophisticated set of natural mechanisms to jointly resist pests and diseases.

This is due to multiple synergistic effects, including the creation of a "scent maze" from the complex mixture of odors released by different plants, which disrupts the ability of specialized pests to accurately locate their host plants. Additionally, the varied structure of vegetation can help regulate local microclimates, inhibiting the spread of disease spores and pest migration.

"Such effects work together to make diversified plantings in farms, grasslands, and forests more biologically resilient and productive ecosystems," said Wan Nianfeng, a lead researcher on the team and a professor at East China University of Science and Technology.

Based on the findings, the team also developed differentiated technical solutions for different climate zones and crop types in China.

"By promoting such planting techniques tailored to local conditions, we can significantly reduce reliance on pesticides and enhance land productivity. This will contribute to the country's food security and green agricultural transformation," Wan said.