Toyota's Meticulously Groomed Grassland Unveils Hidden Origins
In a groundbreaking move, Toyota has developed a new grass variety, TM9, that offers significant benefits over conventional Zoysia grass, particularly in terms of maintenance and environmental impact.
### A Game-Changer in Lawn Maintenance
TM9 stands out for its low-growing habit, with a height of about 5 cm, making maintenance easier as it needs to be mowed only once or twice a year. This reduced need for frequent mowing translates to lower fuel consumption, as gasoline-powered lawn mowers are a significant contributor to carbon emissions.
### Environmental Advantages of TM9
Beyond its low-growing nature, TM9 boasts a dense, lush green lawn that is visually appealing and suitable for ornamental and recreational use. Like conventional Zoysia, TM9 is hardy, but its specific breeding may improve adaptability to various conditions.
Moreover, healthy, dense turf grasses like TM9 can sequester carbon dioxide in the soil through photosynthesis, helping mitigate greenhouse gas levels. Additionally, the reduced need for fertilizers and watering could lead to decreased emissions related to fertilizer production and water pumping.
### Carbon Emissions Reduction
Kunio Matsui, a project general manager at Toyota, has been researching the use of plants to clean the air. His team's work has revealed that TM9 can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than half compared to conventional Zoysia.
The reduced emissions are not only due to the lower maintenance requirements but also the potential for enhanced carbon sequestration. Gardenias and other varieties can be bred for larger stoma to promote the absorption of NO2 gas, a step Toyota is considering for future research.
### Other Benefits of TM9
TM9 has already been used in notable projects, such as the Japanese gardens at Chubu Centrair International Airport and for the rooftop greenery at the Toyota Group Pavilion at Expo 2005 Aichi. The grass offers cheaper maintenance costs and relief from midsummer mowing duties.
Furthermore, greening spaces by laying turf instead of asphalt can reduce ground temperatures, contributing to a cooler urban environment. Turf that is cut less frequently retains more nutrients, requiring less fertilizer.
Makoto Naruse, Senior Expert at the Agriculture & Biotechnology Business Dept., spent 18 months growing vegetables to understand agricultural tasks and improve efficiency. He aims to standardize fertilizer usage through the Toyota Production System to improve work efficiency and crop quality.
Toyota has been conducting fundamental biotech-related research since the late 1980s, and the development of TM9 is a testament to their commitment to innovation and sustainability. With TM9, Toyota is not just revolutionising the automotive industry but also the landscaping world.
Science and technology have played significant roles in the development of TM9, a new grass variety by Toyota, which boasts a reduction in carbon emissions through its innovative low-maintenance design and potential for enhanced carbon sequestration, making it an important contribution to the field of environmental science, as it aims to mitigate climate change.
TM9's technological advancements in grass breeding could lead to further reductions in emissions related to fertilizer production and water pumping, whilst its potential for improved adaptability to various conditions could make it a valuable resource for landscaping in different environments, advancing the field of environmental science and its efforts to combat climate change.
