A study of GMO cotton varieties shows they disrupt an important beneficial soil fungus, writes Eva Sirinathsinghji, apparently due to the Bt insecticide they are engineered to express. Disruption caused by the transgenic cotton to mycorrhizal fungi, and the wider soil ecosystem, may underlie the low yields and poor pest resistance now endemic among Bt GM crops.
… Vital soil fungi damaged by GMO Bt cotton Dr Eva … shows they disrupt an important beneficial soil fungus, writes Eva Sirinathsinghji, … cotton to mycorrhizal fungi, and the wider soil ecosystem, may underlie the low yields …
There's no such thing as 'healthy food' if it's not produced by sustainable farming systems on living soils, Patrick Holden told the recent 'Food: The Forgotten Medicine' conference. But after 70 years of industrial farming, there's a huge job to be done to restore our depleted soils and the impoverished genetic diversity of our seeds and crops.
… Good nutrition begins in healthy soils Patrick Holden | 7th September 2016 … by sustainable farming systems on living soils, Patrick Holden told the recent 'Food: … a huge job to be done to restore our depleted soils and the impoverished genetic diversity …
A new study shows that the market-leading Roundup herbicide kills soil microbiota at concentrations 50 times lower than used in agriculture, writes Claire Robinson. The findings raise serious new concerns about the environmental impacts of glyphosate herbicides.
… Monsanto's Roundup toxic to soil fungus at ultra-low doses Claire Robinson … the market-leading Roundup herbicide kills soil microbiota at concentrations 50 times … glyphosate herbicides. Roundup is toxic to a soil fungus at doses well below recommended …
India's decision to release GMO cotton seeds that incorporate genes for Bt toxins into indigenous 'desi' varieties threatens disaster for the country's small and organic cotton farmers, writes Vandana Shiva. The danger is that the GMO characteristics will spread rapidly into the gene pool, contaminating India's unique heritage of cotton seed diversity.
… the country? Bt-toxification and death of our soils Surely, the CICR is aware of the … has also been depletion of nutrients in the soil due to repeated cultivation of Bt cotton … which draw more nutrients and water from the soil. The crop is exhibiting nutrient …
GMO crops are marketed as providing quick fixes to complex problems, writes Julia Wright. But they only perpetuate 'business as usual' farming that's depleting soils, water and biodiversity, and entrench unsustainable models of agriculture in place of agroecological systems that work with, not against, nature.
… 'business as usual' farming that's depleting soils, water and biodiversity, and entrench … pointed out was the poor condition of the soils: 60% suffered from erosion, 40% had low … experiment with simple techniques to improve soil fertility. These included planting cover …
The biofuels of the future will depend on microbes, writes Almuth Ernsting: algae to produce the biomass, and fungi or bacteria to break cellulose down into useful molecules. Just one problem: wild strains aren't up to the job. So scientists are trying to genetically engineer supercharged 'synthetic biology' variants - which will inevitably enter the environment. What could possibly go wrong?
… residues for biofuels would worsen soil degradation. In reality, the prospects of … alarm: they had investigated the effects on soils and plants of a bacterium genetically … pot experiment, all wheat plants grown in soil with the GE microbe died, and all those …
Those opposed to the mass release of GM crops and foods inadequately tested for health and ecological safety are routinely accused of being anti-science, writes Elizabeth Henderson. But it's the GM corporations and their academic allies that are suppressing scientific research, and organic farmers that are building alliances with independent scientists for a future of safe, healthy food.
… production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on … crops, held a field day with the Cornell soil health group to allow them to demonstrate … that shows how much aggregate stability the soils have. We spent seven years working with …
India's food system, essentially clean just a generation ago, has been comprehensively contaminated with sugar, bad fats, synthetic additives, GMOs and pesticides under the country's neoliberal 'great leap forwards', writes Colin Todhunter. The result? a surge in obesity, diabetes and cancer incidence, but no let-up in the under-nutrition of those too poor to join in the over-consumption.
… The green revolution, micronutrient deficient soil and human health We often hear … foods. Its long-term impact has led to soil degradation and mineral imbalances, which … the link between micronutrient deficiency in soil and human nutrition is increasingly …
Lord Krebs, self-appointed spokesman for industrial agriculture, used the Oxford Farming Conference to attack organic systems for causing more climate change - a claim as demonstrably false as it is ludicrous, writes Peter Melchett. But across the city, the upstart 'real farming' conference was showing the way to a cleaner, greener and healthier future.
… agriculture." Organic farming sequesters more soil carbon On an even more positive note, a … at farming's ability to restore carbon in soils came to the conclusion that organic … maximum technical mitigation potential from soil carbon sequestration by switching to …
The Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture made its high-profile launch at the New York Climate Summit. But for a huge coalition of civil society organizations, it's a 'greenwash' initiative designed to promote intensive profit-driven industrial agriculture at the expense of small farmers, environment, and the real solutions.
… GMOs Un Climate Change cacao-in-biochar-soil.png What we do want: organic cacao … in Belize - raised in biochar-enriched soil. Photo: Carbon Gold. The Global Alliance … of carbon offsetting. Carbon sequestration in soils is not permanent and is easily …
Reports show that traditional breeding techniques are years ahead of GM technologies in developing crops to withstand drought and poor soils, writes Lawrence Woodward. Yet GM advocates are sticking rigidly to their script even as the evidence mounds against them ...
… crops to withstand drought and poor soils, writes Lawrence Woodward. Yet GM … in 2010, the Improved Maize for African Soils Project (IMAS) has developed 21 … relationships and part played by; e.g. soil , micro-organisms and fungi , is largely …
The Royal Society has form on GM crops, writes the Soil Association - consistently Gung-ho! for the last 20 years, while refusing to engage with critics of the technology or even accept the existence of any problems. Its latest effort represents more of the same, while exposing this once August body to ridicule for its egregious scientific howlers.
… the Royal Society on GM crops Soil Association | 27th May 2016 Comment GMOs … Society has form on GM crops, writes the Soil Association - consistently Gung-ho! for … This article was originally published by the Soil Association . The Royal Society claims …
Scotland's decision to maintain its GM-free status is in the best interests of the country, its people and its farmers, 30 scientists write to Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead. It is abundantly justified by the scientific evidence and will support the sustainable, agroecological farming systems of the future.
… has already led to the degradation of our soils and the micro-organisms that promote soil fertility. Food crops now contain only a … and GM agriculture and to produce healthy soils leading to healthy plants, animals and …
The US looks set to approve GM crops that resist the 'Agent Orange' pesticide 2,4-D as well as glyphosate, writes Helena Paul. If it does, the toxic chemical - created in WW2 to destroy enemy food supplies - will soon end up in animal feeds, and the food we eat.
… use is a continual war - on the land, the soil, biodiversity and people. The impacts … and the destruction of the life of the soil, water, plants and insects. In December …
Monsanto was accused of 'crimes against humanity and the environment' at COP21 in Paris this week, writes Pavlos Georgiadis. And now the evidence against it is being gathered for presentation at a 'Monsanto Tribunal' taking place next October in The Hague.
… also largely responsible for the depletion of soil and water resources, species extinction … out of the atmosphere is to put it in the soil by building resilient, productive and … out of the atmosphere is to put it in the soil by building healthy farming systems. …
Heathcote Williams remembers India's great campaigner Professor Nanjunda's whose direct actions against Monsanto, KFC, McDonalds, Coca-Cola and the WTO inspired a nation and created an unstoppable movement of 10 million ...
… deplete the microbial biodiversity of the soil Calling its fertility into question. … ruined by Monsanto's herbicide As it prepares soil for their seeds of deception. Gene … And wasn't the profound sweetness of India's soil being soured And its peasants being led …
While the Gates Foundation and conservative politicians are bigging up GMOs and agribusiness, writes Colin Todhunter, a quiet revolution has been working its way across Africa. Agroecological farming, constantly adapting to local needs, customs, soils and climates, has been improving nutrition, reducing poverty, combatting climate change, and enriching farmland.
… constantly adapting to local needs, customs, soils and climates, has been improving … while ensuring climate justice and restoring soils and the environment." Owen Paterson says … application of mulch, manure or compost for soil fertility, the natural management of …
To feed the world we must abandon not just GMOs but all diversity-destroying selective crop breeding, organic farmer John Letts told Oliver Tickell. Only by using biodiverse local seed mixtures that evolve in the field can food production adapt to climate change without ever-increasing chemical inputs, and meet human needs for wholesome nourishment.
… and high stubble to be ploughed back into the soil and raise its organic content. Back in … and can't reach down into the subsoil for water and nutrients. "Because they … a low-nutrient environment and on a range of soils and weather conditions. "In fact, you …
Five international judges say Monsanto's activities have negatively affected individuals, communities and biodiversity, writes Claire Robinson. The Monsanto Tribunal's damning ruling denounces the company's harmful impacts on food sovereignty, agricultural production, access to nutrition, the natural environment, seed diversity, climate change, pollution and traditional cultural practices.
… have caused and are causing damages to the soil, water and generally to the environment, … and severe contamination of plant diversity, soils, and water. Another future is possible! … feed themselves from the land; contaminated soil and water, thus reducing the potential …
The dominant story about the future of the world food supply is logical, well known and widely disseminated, writes Jonathan Foley. It is also completely wrong.
… reduce pesticide use and help farmers reduce soil tillage, leaving more organic matter and nutrients in the soil. Maybe GMOs can actually do some good, if … Mueller, has shown how focusing on improved soil nutrition and water availability is key …
Genetically modified food is flooding into the UK through the back door. Few consumers know that the meat and dairy products they eat may have been made from animals fed a diet containing GM crops.
… be GM products. Peter Melchett from the Soil Association told me that "labelling of … betraying their customers on this issue." The Soil Association cites a previous Food …
India's farmers are the targets of structural violence aimed at uprooting indigenous agriculture and replacing it with an intensive corporate model based on GMOs and agrochemicals, writes Colin Todhunter. But as Monsanto's GM cotton succumbs to insect infestations despite repeated pesticide applications, agroecological farming is an increasingly attractive option for cultivators.
… chemicals from a lab flask upon Indian soil, with a pesticide manufacturing factory … fell into this trap, and reports say that the soil of fields in which Bt cotton was grown …
GM companies are exploiting the launch of a new blight-resistant GMO potato to make their case for an EU-wide relaxation of rules restricting GM crops. But as Sophie Brown discovers, we have all the answers to blight already, without a GMO in sight!
… long rotation - standard hygiene really." Soil health Steve Townsend of Base UK , … up the potatoes natural immunity through soil enrichment. This ensures the plant can …
As the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations enter their last few days, Ellen Brown exposes their real purpose - corporate control of the world's food, health, environment and financial systems. Of all these, the greatest is food ...
… amphibians and livestock, as well as reduced soil fertility." Politics Trumps Science In … third generation. Vast amounts of farmland soil are also being systematically ruined by … that allow plant roots to uptake soil nutrients. In Gary Null’s eye-opening …