No quick fix for plant health

    /24-7PressRelease/ - LANGLEY, BC, CANADA, August 31, 2005—Holistic health care isn't just for humans anymore, according to a new book by Trinity Western University biology professor, David Clements, Ph.D. Released in March, "New Dimensions in Argroecology," argues that, in the long run, a holistic, agroecological approach to agriculture and gardening will better benefit plants—and ultimately humans.

"Technology has attempted to harness the productivity of plants," explains Clements, Editor of the Canadian Journal of Plant Science, "but the growth of industrialized agricultural practices has begun to eclipse significant elements that contribute to the longevity and quality of plant life."

Clements' book suggests a healthy garden or crop is one in which all elements of the plant's ecosystem have been considered, instead of simply applying technological fix to the plant's problems. "When working with gardens and fields we must learn to work with nature, not against it," he says. Clements further explains that the weight of the good and the bad of all that interacts with plant life—soil, weather, insects and more—should be equally considered as opportunities to improve both the plant and its products.

"There is so much going on in gardens that we do not see," says Clements. "Particles, minerals, decaying material and living organisms like worms create complex relationships between plants and the land around them that we need to be attentive to."

And Clements does not, however, negate the valuable role that technology plays in agroecology. Fertilizer, mechanized harvesting techniques, irrigation systems, and more, have all helped to increase the productivity of plants. They can help flowers bloom on demand or produce fields of wheat in time to meet a $600 billion annual global demand for agricultural products.

"Herbicide resistant crops such as 'round-up ready' corn or soybeans is one example," says Clements. "This innovation enables farmers to use the relatively safe pesticide called round-up when the crop is growing without harming the plant."

But it's when technology gets out of balance with plant nature that problems arise. Excessive fertilization and ploughing, ground water contamination and other poorly practiced agricultural techniques can be detrimental to plant life. They can lead to herbicide resistant plants and decrease the nutritional value of produce.

"There are already some instances of weeds developing resistance to round-up," says Clements. "And planting in the same place for long periods of time can deplete the nutrients in soils, so much so that the vegetables we eat today may not be as nutritious as they were, say, 50 years ago."

Consequently, Clements prescribes "knowledge-intensive" or "observant plant management." "We need to watch how plants spring forth and grow. Ask yourself, 'are the weeds earlier or later than in the previous year? Are there different weeds?' These kinds of questions might lead to creative solutions to problems or at least warn you of problems."

"For too long we've ignored the inherent complexities in agriculture," says Clements. "If we see the soil in our gardens or our fields as organic, dynamic stuff, we can learn not to treat it like dirt."

Trinity Western University, located in Langley, B.C., is a not-for-profit Christian liberal arts university enrolling over 3,500 students this year. With a broad based, liberal arts and sciences curriculum, the University offers undergraduate degrees in 38 major areas of study ranging from business, education and computer science to biology and nursing, and 14 other graduate degrees including counselling psychology, theology and administrative leadership. For more information, visit http://www.twu.ca.

Trinity Western University, located in Langley, B.C., is a not-for-profit Christian liberal arts university enrolling over 3,500 students this year. With a broad based, liberal arts and sciences curriculum, the University offers undergraduate degrees in 38 major areas of study ranging from business, education and computer science to biology and nursing, and 14 other graduate degrees including counselling psychology, theology and administrative leadership. For more information: http://www.twu.ca, 604) 888-7511

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