Posts Tagged crops
The Benefits Of Agricultural Biotechnology
Agricultural biotechnology is any technique in which living organisms, or parts of organisms are altered to make or modify agricultural products, to improve crops, or develop microbes for specific uses in agricultural processes. Simply put, when the tools of biotechnology are applied to agriculture, it is termed as “agricultural biotechnology”. Genetic engineering is also a part of agricultural biotechnology in today’s world. It is now possible to carry out genetic manipulation and transformation on almost all plant species, including all the world’s major crops.
Plant transformation is one of the tools involved in agricultural biotechnology, in which genes are inserted into the genetic structure or genome of plants. The two most common methods of plant transformation are Agrobacterium Transformation – methods that use the naturally occurring bacterium; and Biolistic Transformation – involving the use of mechanical means. Using any of these methods the preferred gene is inserted into a plant genome and traditional breeding method followed to transfer the new trait into different varieties of crops.
Production of food crops has become much cheaper and convenient with the introduction of agricultural biotechnology. Specific herbicide tolerant crops have been engineered which makes weed control manageable and more efficient. Pest control has also become more reliable and effective, eliminating the need for synthetic pesticides as crops resistant to certain diseases and insect pests have also been engineered. Phytoremediation is the process in which plants detoxify pollutants in the soil, or absorb and accumulate polluting substances out of the soil. Several crops have now been genetically engineered for this purpose for safe harvest and disposal, and improvement of soil quality.
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in reference to a section specific to the major biotechnology derived field crops, out of the whole crop plantings in the United States in 2004, biotechnology plantings accounted for about 46 percent for corn, 76 percent for cotton, and 85 percent for soybeans.
Modern agricultural biotechnology has now become a very well-developed science. The use of synthetic pesticides that may be harmful to man, and pollute groundwater and the environment, has been significantly lessened with the introduction of genetically engineered insect-resistant cotton. Herbicide-tolerant soybeans and corn have also enabled the use of reduced-risk herbicides that break down more quickly in soil. These are nontoxic to plants or animals, and herbicide-tolerant crops help preserve topsoil from erosion since they thrive better in no-till or reduced tillage agriculture systems. Papayas resistant to the ringspot virus were also developed through genetic engineering, which saved the U.S. papaya industry.
Agricultural biotechnology may also be helpful in improving and enhancing the nutritious quality of certain crops. For example, enhancing the levels of beta-carotene in canola, soybean, and corn improves oil compositions, and reduces vitamin A deficiencies in rice. There are also researches going on in the field of biotechnology to produce crops that will not be affected by harsh climates or environments and that will require less water, fertilizer, labor etc. This would greatly reduce the demands and pressures on land and wildlife.
Tags: agricultur, agricultural, agricultural biotechnology, agricultural product, agricultural products, agriculture, biotech, biotechnology, crops, department of agriculture, fertilizer, food crops, genetic engineering, genetically engineered, herbicide, herbicides, insect, living organisms, organisms, pesticide, pesticides, pests, plants, species, the environmentRelated posts
Using Crushed Limestone in Agriculture
Let us talk about organic fertilizers. They have been used by farmers for too many years; however, not a lot of people get to realize their negative effects on the soil. When they are overused, they can be extremely dangerous to plants and even in microorganisms that tend to add more nourishment. Fortunately, a new method of agriculture is being introduced, and it is with the use of crushed limestone. What’s more, agricultural lime seems to hold more benefits than organic fertilizers.
The Benefits of Crushed Limestone
An agricultural lime is commonly called pellet. From a huge stone, it has been pulverized to resemble more like a powder. For those who do not know yet the many possible benefits of crushed limestone, it is time for you to get a very good idea of its many blessings:
- Their size makes it easier to use by farmers. Crushed limestone is very convenient to spread into the soul, and you can even mix it together with some dust. Moreover, the pellets, when combined with water, become so fine that their minerals are easily absorbed by plants.
- You can use it anywhere. Just when you thought that an agricultural lime is only useful when you have such huge hectares of agricultural products, think again. It can still be perfect even if you are only maintaining a plant box. If you want to make sure that you can minimize the use of fertilizers right into your own garden and food crops, you better make sure that you can get hold of this limestone.
- It contains calcium. Calcium is not only excellent for human beings, but this mineral is also highly needed by the soil, though indirectly. When there is no calcium, the pH level of the soil will decrease, which will then not be ideal for your crops. A crushed lime contains high level of calcium, which can help in increasing the pH level of the soil. It will also prevent the development of surface crusting and soil erosion, as well as improve the retention of water for the plants. Moreover, this limestone can make any kind of soil more suitable for planting, and the plants will be more tolerable to extremely hot or wet conditions.
- It can reduce the level of toxicity in the soil. This limestone can minimize the level of aluminum, iron, and manganese in the soil. These trace minerals can have negative impact to the soil and to the crops. For example, iron and manganese can bring down the pH level of the soil. Aluminum, on the other hand, can hinder the complete and effective development of the plants and the roots.
There are a lot of sources you have for crushed limestone, but not all of them are trustworthy. You have to make sure that you can make the proper research before you decide to buy something from them, such as agricultural lime. You do not want to damage your crops with substandard materials.
Tags: agricultur, agricultural, agricultural lime, agricultural product, agricultural products, agriculture, calcium, crops, crushed limestone, fertilizer, fertilizers, food crops, garden, limestone, organic, organic fertilizer, organic fertilizers, organisms, plants, soil erosionRelated posts
Pesticides and Their Benefits
Stopping Chinch bugs, Borers, Aphids and Caterpillars
While many folks are riding the “going green” path, it’s not a path entirely without pitfalls. The reason why is because it doesn’t always solve damaging and costly pest problems. We have to be smart enough to know the beneficial effects of using pesticides on our food crops, lawns and ornamentals while being informed enough to know how to use them wisely. Pesticides have gotten a bad rap and not entirely without reason.
The main reason for the bad rap is the same as the one in the medical field: over use. Just as it was over use of Penicillin by doctors in the U.S., people in general tend to think that “more is better” in the case of chemical pesticides too. So now the pendulum seems to be swinging to the other extreme in our society, and it’s all or nothing – so going 100% green and chemical free is the latest and greatest cure all to stop garden pests.
The good news for those who are frustrated or confused is that there are ways to use chemicals responsibly with minimal impact on ourselves and our environment.
The fact is Chinch bugs, Borers, Caterpillars and many other pests can and do wreak havoc in our lawn and garden environments. Go Green as we may, without some carefully applied pesticides, those pests can take a big bite out of not just your gardens and foliage, but the agricultural and flower industries as a whole. How about a plate of lettuce with worms or a bouquet of chewed flowers, a kitchen over run by ants and roaches! How about a favorite Live Oak that once shaded your home but now has to be taken down because borers have destroyed it?
Don’t get me wrong, I am a big proponent of using organics any time I can but they simply don’t work in every situation. Sometimes chemicals are called for and they are being made safer all the time. The agrochemical industry is coming out with more ecologically safe and friendly pesticides all the time.
Therefore the smart solution is to integrate your use of pesticides and organics (they can coexist) and use each in accordance with their recommended dose! You should then be able to use pesticides without guilt if used wisely in this manner
Tags: agricultur, agricultural, chemical pesticide, chemical pesticides, chemicals, crops, food crops, garden, garden pest, garden pests, organic, organics, pesticide, pesticides, pests, use of pesticidesRelated posts