This process of mixing, known as intercropping, has been studied extensively in the past but the U of T Scarborough team is using that knowledge and applying it to the harsh growing conditions found in green roofs. This past summer 300 modules were tested on the roof of Highland Hall (Photo by Don Campbell) вЂњBut if we mix these with plants that grow well in harsh conditions вЂ“ that hold water in the substrate and provide shade вЂ“ they may act as nurse plants to support these crops and increase their yields.вЂќ

вЂњIf we just planted beans or parsley in these shallow, exposed substrates, not much would grow,вЂќ says MacIvor, who is an expert on pollination and biodiversity in urban environments. The goal is to see how these plants interact with each other and whether sedum can help these crops grow and survive in harsh environments. Each contains one crop -beans, parsley, or kale вЂ“ grown with and without sedum and subjected to different environmental stressors such as low water and low nutrient availability. One project led by PhD student Adriano Roberto and masterвЂ™s student Andrew Nichols currently involves 300 hundred modules вЂ“ boxes measuring 60 centimetres by 40 centimetres вЂ“ on the roof of Highland Hall and another 100 modules on the roof of the Science Wing. While most green roof research has been done on a large scale, the team at U of T Scarborough is looking at more detailed interactions between plants and soils on a smaller level to see how growing food will be possible. вЂњWe are really interested in transitioning these extensive sedum green roofs into ones that can perform multiple services such as growing food,вЂќ says Isaac, who is an expert on plant-soil interactions and making agricultural more sustainable.

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