Don't Be Fooled by Genewashing

There's a big difference between hybrid plants and genetically modified crops, but biotech companies want to keep you confused.

BY EMILY MAIN

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—When you're at the grocery store and come across a pluot (plum crossed with apricot), a nectarcot (nectarine crossed with apricot), or a seedless watermelon, do you think it's a genetically modified mutant or a farmer's experiment with hybrid plants? 

If you opted for the former, you'd be wrong, but you wouldn't be alone. "There's been a conscious effort on behalf of biotech companies to confuse people, saying that farmers have been using genetic modification for generations," says Jeffery Smith, founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology, a nonprofit devoted to educating the public about the risks of genetically modified crops. That's not the case, he adds. Crossbreeding and creating hybrid crops, such as pluots and seedless watermelons, have been common practices for centuries, but the process is very different from genetic modification.

Hybrid Plants

"Hybridization is based on sex," says Smith. Plant breeders take two "parents" of the same plant species that are closely related, and pollinate them so that they reproduce and gain certain desirable traits, such as drought resistance or the ability to repel pests. "Crossbreeding is effective in accelerating certain traits," he adds. "Farmers can identify those and grow the plants just as quickly as they would genetically modified crops."

Hybrid plants (the result of crossbreeding) don't have any of the unhealthy effects that research is finding are associated genetically modified crops. And the method works just fine for creating new crops. "The practice of crossing hybrid seeds has been going on for centuries. It has a long track record that shows it can feed humans and mammals effectively," Smith says. There are hybrid corn varieties that resist the European corn borer as effectively as Bt corn (a form of GMO corn). 

And consider the case of Golden Rice, a genetically modified strain of rice that crop scientists have been struggling for years to get to the market, because they believe its high vitamin A levels could cure deficiencies in the developing world; its detractors question their evidence and feel that cheaper, more effective and less biologically risky solutions to vitamin A deficiency already exist. Smith says that some hybrid varieties of red rice have higher levels of vitamin A than genetically modified Golden Rice. But hybrid seeds can't be patented, as genetically modified seeds can, says Smith, and big industries aren't interested in investing in them.

Genetic Engineering

Crossbreeding is such a tried-and-true method for developing new crops that it's no wonder the GMO (genetically modified organism) crowd wants to "genewash" us into believing they're doing pretty much the same thing. But in fact the two techniques are worlds apart. Usually, the process of genetic modification involves genes from totally different species that could never be crossbred—wheat genes injected into soybeans, for example. Sometimes, genes are transferred not just from another species, but from a different kingdom, such as animal cells injected into plant cells.
Genetically engineered crops are usually created one of two ways. The first is through a "gene gun." "You basically shoot millions of genes into a plate of cells, which you then clone into a plant," Smith says. The other way is through a bacterial infection; scientists create tumors out of various bacterial strains that "smuggle" the new gene into another plant's cell.

"The process creates extensive mutations," says Smith. "Inserting those genes can damage the DNA of the original plant." He adds that genes in the original plant can then change the way they function, so that, for instance, a corn gene that's normally silenced or inactive in a non-GMO variety could suddenly become active in a GM variety and trigger allergies, increase certain biological toxins, or become carcinogenic. Genetically modified crops are often designed to manufacture their own pesticides, he adds, and we're essentially eating those pesticides when we eat GM crops. "Genetically modified corn and soy have higher levels of lignin, which also produces rotenone," Smith says. Rotenone, a pesticide, has been linked to higher rates of Parkinson's disease.

"It's genetic roulette," Smith says. "We really are babes in the woods with this technology, and we're feeding the products of an infant science to the public."

One other major difference between the two: Hybrid seeds are allowed for use in organic production, while GMO seeds most definitely are not. To totally avoid GMO crops, buy products that are USDA Organic certified or that participate in the Non-GMO Project Verified program. And keep reading our blog as Rodale.com's editors try going GMO free for the month of October.

SOURCE: http://pakagri.blogspot.com/

Bordeaux mixture to control coconut infestations

Farmers can make their own mixture and use it as and when required for controlling infestation in coconut. Given below are some simple steps for making the mixture.

Dissolve one kg of powdered copper sulphate in 50 litres of water in a mud pot or plastic bucket. Dissolve one kg of lime in 50 litres of water (lime solution).

Pour the copper sulphate solution into the lime solution slowly and slowly stir. To detect presence of more copper dip a new steel knife into this solution.

Brown coat

If a brownish coat appears on the knife then add more lime solution. Keep repeating the procedure till the brown coat no longer forms on the knife. Presence of free copper is injurious to plants, hence to test for the excess copper if any,

After preparing the solution it is advisable for farmers to use it immediately as it loses its efficacy with lapse of time. However, if mixture is to be preserved for the next days add 50 to 100 g sugar or jaggery into the 100 litre solution.

Drenching of diseased coconut palms with one per cent borax solution thrice a year is effective in reducing the intensity of Thanjavur wilt disease. Drench the pits with one per cent bordeaux mixture before planting coconut seedlings.

Bordeaux paste consists of the same ingredients as those of bordeaux mixture but it is in the form of a paste.

It is generally made by dissolving 100 gms of copper sulphate and 100 gms of quick lime each in 500 ml of water separately.

Remove infested tissue

Removal of affected tissues on the coconut stem with a chisel and smearing with warm coal tar or bordeaux paste over the chiselled portion controls stem bleeding.

If the disease is detected when the central shoot withers, application of 10 per cent bordeaux paste after thorough cleaning and removal of infected plant parts can reduce further spread.

The treated portion has to be covered with a plastic sheet to prevent washing of the paste during rains.

Spraying one per cent mixture twice a year reduces leaf rot infestation. Spray must be in fine mist form otherwise it will coalesce and trickle down without sticking properly on the nut surface. 

Courtesy: thehindu.com

Symptoms of Element Deficiencies in Plants

5 Fruits for a glowing skin

That fruits are the best medicine is a wellknown fact.

We also know that a cup of fruit juice a day is sure to guarantee a clear complexion. How about a massage with a fruit pulp or a fruit facial? 

Fruit facials have been there for at least a decade now. But with people getting more wary of effect of chemicals on the skin, a majority of them are now resorting to using something from their own kitchen. 

What better way to pamper your skin than with pure stuff which is free of toxins and not harmful to your skin?

Besides the fact that they hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, the very smell of a fruit on your face is quite de-stressing. Unlike the chemical beauty treatments, fruits are cost-effective, natural and also bring a visible difference. Here are a few fruits and their properties, choose what suits you best!

Banana: This is one fruit that's abundantly available in India all through the year. We know it's a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium and helps reduce menstrual cramps. The effect of banana on skin too is not something that can be ignored. Bananas are rich in vitamin A, B and E and hence works as an anti-aging agent. A fresh mashed banana facial can do wonders for your skin.

Lemon: Lemon juice is an important ingredient in most Indian recipes. This is also a fruit of all seasons and almost always finds place on your kitchen shelf or refrigerator. With its vitamin C content, its juice will keep your skin beautiful. A glass of warm water with a tsp of honey and a dash of lemon juice on an empty stomach every morning is a great skin cleanser. With its astringent properties, it can be used to lighten the skin tone and also diminish acne scars. Rub the inside of a lemon peel on your elbow remove dark spots. Mix lemon and honey and use it as a natural bleach on your skin.Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away is cliched, but its health benefits are undisputable. Apple's antioxidant property prevents cell and tissue damage. Studies by nutritionists have shown that apples contain abundant amounts of elastin and collagen that help keep the skin young. Applying a mixture of mashed apple, honey, rose water and oatmeal can act as a great exfoliating mask on your skin.

Orange: Rich in vitamin C that improves skin texture. Like apple, orange too contains collagen that slows skin aging process. Rub the insides of orange on your skin to tighten the skin. Oranges can be dried and powdered and used as a natural scrub. Like lemon, oranges too help clear skin blemishes.

Papaya: The benefits of this fruit on skin have perhaps been talked about since the time of our ancestors. Papaya is rich in antioxidants and contain a special enzyme called papain that can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities. A glass of papaya milk or just applying the flesh of papaya on your skin can do wonders to your skin.

Mango: Rightly called the king of fruits for not just its taste but also for health benefits. The soft pulpy fruit has an amazing effect on skin too. Rich in vitamin-A and rich antioxidants, it fights against skin aging, regenerates skin cells and restores the elasticity of skin.

 

Source: timesofindia

Training on Organic farming at University of Santa Cruz, California

          I had the privilege to attend a ‘3 day crash course’ on Organic Farming at “University of California Santa Cruz” headed by a professor who also had an opportunity to work with Masanobu Fukuoka years back. It was an amazing experience, I shall say. Around 18 or so like-minded people attended the course. UCSC has 2 farms. One, a 25 acres plot and the second one, a 3 acres plot. Both are 100% organically grown.

          I was owe struck by the amount of produces they grow (mainly veggies and fruits) in the 3 acres of land. Some of the veggies grown are Radish, Potato, Onion, Lettuce, multiple varieties of Capsicum, Basil, couple of varieties of Beans, Kale..the list goes on. The main fruits were Apple, Strawberry and Peach.

          Both the farms had clay type soil few years back (5 years to be precise). So they did one round of “double digging” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_digging) to work up the soil and added compost. Compost was added at a rate of 1 cubic foot per square foot. Next step was to grow cover crops like Soy beans, Bell beans, Fava beans, Clover and Alfalfa. They did this few seasons. i.e one winter cover crop and then a summer cover crop... This helped the soil structure tremendously in terms of aggregation of the soil, aeration, nitrogen content etc. Word of caution, double digging SHOULD not be practiced as a regular/frequent cultivation method. It can harm the well structured soil, kill microbial activities and cause nutrition leach.

          Seasonal veggies are grown year round. The cultivation practice is to mix cover crops to the soil by chopping them to smaller pieces around 7-10 days prior to planting the actual crop. Then they would do “single digging” (single digging is not more than 6-12 inches deep), add compost (.5 - 1 shovel per square foot) and mix them up (they call this “side forking”). So that means the only fertilizer they add is cover crops and compost.

           The other interesting practice they follow is to intercrop veggies a lot. For eg:- they would grow deep rooted plants (ex: capsicum, tomato etc) as main crops and grow shallow root system varieties (ex: onion, radish etc) as intercrop making maximum use of space. Ex:- Capsicum were planted at 14 inches apart. Between rows of capsicum they would plant radish at a spacing of 3 inches which is harvested in about 30 days. Another interesting stuff that they followed was to plant “Trap crops” like basil, mint, flowers etc on the boundaries of the each bed. This ensured warding off insects/pests from the main crop.
No pesticides or insecticides are used. Not even a soap spray! For apples and peaches, pheromone traps were used. Again no organic sprays or anything of that sort! Mulching is practiced religiously for tree crops and bushes which ensures moisture level at all times.

          Compost Method: When the topic of Composting came up, I was all excited abt it. I was ready to give my 2 cents on vermi-composting .  But to my alas, they never use vermi-compost. Instead, decomposition of material was done solely by micro-organisms. 3-4 layers of horse poop or cow dung, hay, greens and kitchen wastes were made. A nominal amount of water was sprayed on top of the pile to moist the same and it was left covered with a plastic sheet. Within 48 hours or so  the temperature would rise considerably. If the temperature drops after few days, it needs little turning and mixing. By 3 months you have a sweet smelling black/brown superbly looking “gold”. Checkout the temperature before you apply it to plants though. I felt the whole process of composting this was very easy to manage and execute compared to vermi-composting in terms of having to set up separate/dedicated vermi-compost units, sieving and separating compost from worms and carrying it to different parts of the plot. You can have such smaller compost piles in several locations in your plot, so the labor requirement can be minimized and manageability is efficient.

          One other piece of information that I thought very important was to not apply fresh animal manures directly to the plants. This would cause great degree of risks in terms to carrying harmful bacteria, fungi, pathogens etc to the soil and plants. Depending upon what the animals eat, the chances of losing a whole season of crop is very much possible. Especially true when you are purchasing cow dung or sheep manure or chicken poop from a source where these animals/birds are raised on a commercial scale via in-organic method and are not healthy.

Visit to green houses

          There was always a fascination to visit the huge green houses that I had seen over the TV programs and various video clipping off the internet. Finally got the chance to visit few of them in one of the coastal towns of California.

          These green houses are humongous spanning several acres with fully automated setup to irrigate and fertilize.Couple of them were abt 10 acres in size! We talk in square meter or square yard in India when it comes to green houses/polyhouse. I wonder why is it so expensive to set up a green house in India considering the average annual income of a farmer!

          Flowers like Gerbera, Rose, herbs and spices were all grown inside these "weather-proof shelters". Both Gerbera and roses were grown hydroponically in coconut coir-pith medium. Another interesting fact was that the water recycling process. The plants get water about 6-8 times normally and 10-14 times during the summer days and the water that drips through the plant containers are collected and send back to the filtration/recycle system and it gets re-used. One of the farm mangers claimed that the water conservation is about 70%.

         The Gerbera plants are productive for about 3 years and after that the yield starts decreasing and it is time for replanting. All the plants were tissue culture from Europe and they produced about 5-6 stems a month. In India the average price of a Gerbera plant is around Rs. 35 and to fill in a 1000 Sq Meter green house one will need to spend a good Rs 2.5 Lacs (around 7000 plants).Wish if Govt of India had come up with these kinds of plants on a subsidized rate so that small and marginal farmers could benefit.

          

Preserving his inheritance

Fired by zeal for conservation of genetic diversity in crops, an organic farmer from the Mysore region has embarked on a project to establish what is reckoned to be India's first paddy museum.

Ghani Khan of Kirugavulu in Malavalli taluk of Mandya district cultivates and conserves more than 300 varieties of paddy and rice, most of which do not make it to the market and may be lost to posterity.

However, Mr. Khan, who has inherited his forefathers' farmland donated by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan more than 200 years ago, has converted his 20-acre-plot to a genetic hotspot with a variety of crops, dominated by paddy and mango. His paddy project has led him to convert a portion of his house into a museum, which will be ready in a few months' time.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Khan said paddy varieties conserved by him include Jeerge Sanna, Gandasale, Bilinellu, Raskadam, Rajmudi and Pakistan Basmati, to name a few, and he has dedicated nearly 3 acres of land for their cultivation and demonstration.

Part of his house

“The first floor of my house will be converted to a paddy museum, where samples of nearly 300 varieties of paddy acquired from different places, cultivated and preserved by me, will be on display,” said Mr. Khan, who continues to acquire rare varieties of paddy and augment his collection.

He said he had invested half his income in developing the paddy museum, and a senior farmer would be invited to inaugurate it, he added. While the paddy museum was expected to draw like-minded conservationists to his farm, Mr. Khan also gets regular visitors for the rare mangoes he cultivates. At the last count, there were 120 varieties of mango in his farm including Mangmari, Jeerge Maavu, Shakkargubbi and Mosambi ka aam, none of which are commonly available.

'Utmost care'

“I have preserved these varieties of mango as an inheritance from my forefathers and maintain the orchards with utmost care, though I do not get any support from the Government for this,” he said.

Notwithstanding his efforts and drive to protect crop diversity, the going is tough for Mr. Khan owing to loss of income, as 3 acres of land is earmarked for paddy demonstration. “It is easy to introduce Alphonso and Badami in my orchard, which will increase my earnings. But if I cease to cultivate or fail to conserve these varieties, they will be lost to posterity,” Mr. Khan remarked.

No assistance

Apart from a token award and a title of Krishi Pandit, which is routinely conferred on farmers every year, there is little by way of Government assistance for Mr. Khan, who was promised that his orchard and farmland would be declared a biodiversity hotspot.

Though he is under tremendous pressure from his well-wishers and a few of his family members to switch to conventional agriculture, the conservationist in him refuses to compromise.

However, Mr. Khan has support from the Bangalore-based Sahaja Samruddha, an organic farmers' association that provides him market linkage.

Not content with cultivating and conserving, Mr. Khan has tied up with the local government school, whose students visit the farm to learn about organic and natural farming “This is important, as the new generation of children even in villages are fast losing touch with the natural world and believe in chemical farming,” said Mr. Khan.

Source: thehindu.com