I blogged way back in December about a study by David Tilman at the University of Minnesota which showed that “mixtures of native perennial grasses and other flowering plants provide more usable energy per acre than corn grain ethanol or soybean biodiesel and are far better for the environment” (quoted by Mongbay.com). This was actually the latest in a series of long-term experiments by Tilman looking at the connection between diversity and ecosystem function in grasslands (see also a recent paper by Hector et al. in Functional Ecology). This connection has been less investigated in agricultural systems, however. Which is the reason behind a recent paper in the Journal of Applied Ecology from researchers at Michigan State University ((R.G. Smith, K.L. Gross. 2007. Assembly of weed communities along a crop diversity gradient. Journal of Applied Ecology 44 (5), 1046–1056.)).
Healthier farmers, better products
That’s the theme and title of the latest issue of LEISA Magazine, which explores “how human health is being improved through good natural resource management and maintenance of ecosystem health.” There are articles on neglected crops, traditional medicinal plants and organic agriculture, among other things — lots of agrobiodiversity related stuff. Thanks again to Danny for the headsup. Great reading.
Intensifying rice
WWF has a news release today announcing the publication of a study on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a set of practices initially developed in Madagascar in the 1980s. ((If you’re wondering why WWF is publishing a report on agriculture: “WWF is focusing on sustainable agriculture efforts for cotton, sugar and rice, some of the most consuming crops for which alternative techniques can result in a strong yield and water savings.”))
The system is based on eight principles which are different to conventional rice cultivation. They include developing nutrient-rich and un-flooded nurseries instead of flooded ones; ensuring wider spacing between rice seedlings; preferring composts or manure to synthetic fertilizers; and managing water carefully to avoid that the plants’ roots are not saturated.
The WWF study says SRI is more water-efficient and productive: in India, yields have apparently risen by 30%, while water use has decreased by 40%. No word on its effects on local agrobiodiversity. Yet. But methane emissions are supposed to go down. Nevertheless, there has been some criticism of SRI in the past.
Farmer breeder wants to patent variety
The story of Sebastian Joseph, Kerala farmer, who developed a great new variety of cardamom, but doesn’t think he has profited from it as much as he should have.
Newsletter on organic seeds and plant breeding
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