Utilization of atmospheric nitrogen

Utilization of atmospheric nitrogen !

Plan to one day end the use of environmentally harmful chemicals on commercial crops developed

Friday, July 22, 2011

By Allen Good

Researchers have published a step by step plan to one day end the use of environmentally harmful chemicals on commercial crops by developing plants that produce their own fertilizer

(Edmonton) Two University of Alberta researchers have published a step by step plan to one-day end the use of environmentally harmful chemicals on commercial crops by developing plants that produce their own fertilizer.

U of A plant biologist Allen Good says the energy required to produce nitrogen fertilizers has pushed the world-wide cost for agricultural producers to a $100 billion a year. Good says that while they are necessary for high yields, those nitrogen fertilizers also damage the environment. Emissions from nitrogen fertilizers add to greenhouse gas emissions and chemical run-off from farm fields cause algae blooms in fresh water lakes and rivers. Good says the cost of cleaning up the environment adds another $50 billion to the world-wide cost of commercial agriculture fertilizers.
Good and his U of A co-author Perrin Beatty says some plants, like peas, have the natural ability to split atoms of nitrogen gas and use the bioactive elements that enhance growth. Mass produced and consumed cereal crops like wheat, rice and maize cannot naturally split nitrogen atoms and need commercial fertilizers. Fertilizer producers use huge amounts of natural gas to to split nitrogen atoms to supply its bioactive components that are then spread on fields in the form of a chemical .
Good and his U of A co-author Perrin Beatty say the fix is to genetically alter agricultural products like cereal crops so they can process nitrogen from the atmosphere naturally and still get the same growth enhancing effect as commercial fertilizers.

(It should not alter the existing biochemical profile of the plants and eatables.VTS)

Source: University of Alberta

DA chief says no to genetically modified eggplant

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

By Alan C. Ortillano

LOS BANOS, Laguna - Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala expressed objections to the commercial production of genetically modified eggplants that were being tested in various sites in the country.

Alcala said production of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) eggplants should be suspended until studies have proven that the genetically modified crop is safe for human consumption.

Insects attack cotton crop in south Punjab

Monday, July 4, 2011

By Shamsul Islam

FAISALABAD - Insects have infested high-yielding Bt cotton varieties sown early in southern Punjab because of ongoing spell of heavy rains and humidity, say agricultural experts.

They said the rainfall had caused an increase in the number of sucking pests while growers were facing difficulties in application of insecticides due to the inclement weather.