Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8658

NON-GM BREAKTHROUGHS - 2007 (8/1/2008)

1.INTRO
2.ORGANIC RESEARCH
3.NON-GM BREAKTHROUGHS
4.MORE NON-GM DEVELOPMENTS

1.INTRO – GM WATCH

Does mention of allergen-free peanuts, striga-resistant cowpeas, salt-
resistant wheat, beta-carotine rich sweet potatoes, virus-resistant
cassavas make you think of GM?

If so, you've missed the great unpublished story of 2007 - all the
non-GM breakthroughs with precisely the kind of problems (drought-
resistance, salt-resistance, biofortification etc.) that GM
proponents claim only GM can provide the answer to.

While GM ''miracle'' stories win vast amounts of column inches, the
non-GM stories generally get minimal if any reporting in the popular
media. Without GM's often exaggerated crisis narratives and silver
bullet solutions, it seems there is no story!

The biotech industry and its PR people are, of course, very keen to
keep it that way, particularly because the non-GM solutions are often
way ahead of the work on GM. They also bring with them none of the
uncertainties that surround GM.

All of this makes keeping track of some of the many non-GM success
stories especially important.

Another reason it's important is because - thanks to the lack of
success with GM ''solutions'' - non-GM success stories can end up
being claimed as GM breakthroughs!!

This happened again recently with the UK Government's retiring Chief
Scientist, David King, who claimed an important non-GM breakthrough
in Africa as evidence of why we need to embrace GM.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8624
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8618

The real lesson of the example King chose is that we need to do the
exact opposite, ie stop being distracted by GM and get the funding
and support behind the non-GM solutions to the problems we so badly
need to address.

So here's some of the good things we came across on the non-GM front
in 2007.

2. ORGANIC RESEARCH

+ ORGANIC FARMING CAN FEED THE WORLD - STUDY
Organic farming can yield up to three times as much food on
individual farms in developing countries, as low-intensive methods on
the same land - according to new findings which refute the long-
standing claim that organic farming methods cannot produce enough
food to feed the global population. ''My hope is that we can finally
put a nail in the coffin of the idea that you can't produce enough
food through organic agriculture,'' said Ivette Perfecto, professor
at University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and
Environment, and one of the study's principal investigators.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8107

+ ORGANIC FARMING COMBATS GLOBAL WARMING...
Big time, according to data from the Rodale Institute's long-running
comparison of organic and conventional cropping systems. Converting
the US's corn and soybean acres to organic production would sequester
enough carbon to satisfy 73 percent of the Kyoto targets for CO2
reduction in the US.
http://www.newfarm.org/depts/NFfield_trials/1003/carbonsequest.shtml

+ ORGANIC FARMING BEATS NO-TILL
Organic farming can build up soil organic matter better than
conventional no-till farming, according to a long-term study by US
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. Organic farming,
despite its emphasis on building organic matter, was previously
thought by some to endanger soil because it relies on tillage and
cultivation - instead of herbicides - to kill weeds. But Teasdale's
study showed that organic farming's addition of organic matter in
manure and cover crops more than offset losses from tillage.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8094

+ UN's FOOD AND AG ORG SUPPORTS ORGANIC
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has come
out in favour of organic agriculture. Its report, ''Organic
Agriculture and Food Security'' states that organic agriculture can
address local and global food security challenges.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8268

+ ORGANIC FOOD BETTER
Important new research has shown up to 40% more beneficial compounds
in organic vegetable crops and up to 90% more in organic milk. It has
also found high levels of minerals such as iron and zinc in organic
produce.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8430

+ IT'S OFFICIAL: ORGANIC REALLY IS BETTER FOR YOU
A 10-year study comparing organic and non-organic tomatoes has found
that the organic ones have almost twice the quantity of antioxidants
(called flavonoids) that help to prevent high blood pressure, thus
reducing the likelihood of heart disease and strokes.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/wine/main.jhtml?xml=/wine/2007/07/14/
edorganic114.xml

+ GROWERS CAN MAKE MORE MONEY BY GOING ORGANIC
Minnesota grain farmers could make more money by switching from
conventional to organic grain crops, shows a four-year study
announced at the American Agricultural Economics Association's annual
meeting in Long Beach, Calif. The study, by David W. Archer, an
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) economist, and Hillarius Kludze,
an ARS soil scientist, analyzed both economic risks and transition
effects of switching to organic farming.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8094

3. NON-GM BREAKTHROUGHS

+ NEW SALT-TOLERANT WHEAT SET TO BRING LIFE TO ''DEAD'' FARMLAND
Scientists have developed a non-GM salt-tolerant wheat which could
allow farmers to crop a third of the 1.8 million hectares of
agricultural land lost to salinity across Australia's wheat belt.
http://www.gene.ch/genet/2004/Aug/msg00004.html

+ NON-PESTICIDE, NON-GM COTTON MANAGEMENT SUCCESS IN INDIA
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7990

+ ZAMBIA: BETTER NON-GM MAIZE HARVESTS
Although drought-prone Zambia is still facing many problems, huge
improvements have been reported in its maize harvests - its main
staple crop. A report from Inter Press Service notes, ''...
production changed dramatically after President Levy Mwanawasa took
over from Frederick Chiluba in 2001.... [He] promoted innovations
like mixed farming and conservation farming. Mwanawasa rejected GM
maize and encouraged the growing of non-GM maize, resulting in bumper
harvests for the past three consecutive years.'' When the Zambian
government rejected GM maize in 2002, there were calls from the US
Ambassador to the FAO for its leaders to be tried ''for the highest
crimes against humanity in the highest courts of the world.''
http://freezerbox.com/archive/article.asp?id=339
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36398

+ UK: NON-GM CROP SCIENCE GETS GBP13m BOOST
UK crop scientists have been awarded a GBP13.3m boost in funding to
carry out research aimed at delivering benefits for farmers and
consumers. Researchers say they will not be producing GM crops. Prof
David Pink, from Warwick HRI, University of Warwick, whose team has
been awarded GBP500,000 to identify genes in broccoli that will
extend its shelf life and maintain its nutritional value for longer,
said, ''We are not going down that [GM] route because GM is not
acceptable at the moment, and not acceptable to our plant breeding
partner.''
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6245529.stm

+ NON-GM DROUGHT-RESISTANT RICE IN PIPELINE
Japanese researchers have made progress in breeding non-GM drought-
resistant rice, intended for planting in Africa and other dry regions.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8165

+ GM DROUGHT TOLERANT MAIZE WAY BEHIND NON-GM
During March 2007, the South African authorities gave Monsanto
permission to conduct GM drought tolerant maize field trials in South
Africa. The African Centre for Biosafety released a report on the
issue, pointing out that drought tolerance is at least 8-10 years
away from commercialisation. Nevertheless, GM drought tolerant crops
are being used as PR tools by biotech lobbyists to promote acceptance
of GM crops, expand existing markets and develop new markets.
Finally, the report points out that traditional breeding, marker
assisted selection, and building up organic content of the soil are
proven methods of dealing with drought.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7969

+ PHILIPPINES NEW NON-GM DROUGHT-RESISTANT CORN
A Philippines scientist has developed a new non-GM corn variety that
was able to survive a drought for 29 days.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8361

+ INDIGENOUS RICE BETTER THAN GM FOR DEALING WITH STRESS
A New Delhi-based NGO, together with farmers from nine Indian states,
has developed a register documenting over 2,000 indigenous rice
varieties. They say GM rice strains are not only costly to cultivate
but also are a poor match to the native strains in fighting pests,
diseases and environmental fluctuations.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8359

+ BODY BLOW TO GRAIN BORER
The larger grain borer is taking a beating from CIMMYT (Internation
Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre) breeders in Kenya as a new non-GM
African maize withstands the onslaught of one of the most damaging
pests.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8361

4.MORE NON-GM DEVELOPMENTS
(thanks to Genet for keeping track of these)

*Non-GM process for allergen-free peanuts
SOURCE: EurekAlert, USA
AUTHOR: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, USA
URL: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-07/ncas-naf072307.php

*Non-GM approach to Striga-resistant cowpeas in Africa
SOURCE: University of Virginia, USA
AUTHOR: Press Release
URL: http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=2334

*Non-GM salt-resistant wheat
SOURCE: Molecular Plant Breeding CRC, Australia
AUTHOR: Press Release
URL: http://www.molecularplantbreeding.com/news/releases/070411.asp

*Gates Foundation supports non-GM b-carotine rich sweet potato in Africa
SOURCE: International Potato Center, Peru
AUTHOR: Press Release
URL: http://www.cipotato.org/pressroom/press_releases_detail.asp?cod=19

*Non-GM virus-resistant cassava for East and Central Africa
SOURCE: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, USA
AUTHOR: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria,
Press Release
URL: http://www.cgiar.org/newsroom/releases/news.asp?idnews=574

*Non-GM technology reduces aflatoxins in maize in Nigeria
SOURCE: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, USA
AUTHOR: Story of the Month
URL: http://www.cgiar.org/monthlystory/july_august2007.html

*Iron-fortified non-GM maize cuts anaemia rates inchildren
SOURCE: SciDev.Net, UK
AUTHOR: Ochieng'' Ogodo
URL: http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?
fuseaction=readNews&itemid=3651&language=1

*Austro-Indian non-GM research cuts 50% of cotton insecticides, adds
75% profitability
SOURCE: Inter Press Service News Agency, Italy
AUTHOR: Neena Bhandari
URL: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38073

*Molecular Marker research could feed the world without GM
SOURCE: Kansas State University, USA
AUTHOR: Press Release, by Jianming Yu
URL: http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/sept07/yu92807.html

*New non-GM drought-resistant corn
SOURCE: Minda News, Philippines
AUTHOR: Allen V. Estabillo
URL: http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?
option=com_content&task=view&id=3297&Itemid=50

*Dutch researcher bred non-GM fungi-resistant tomato
SOURCE: Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, The
Netherlands
AUTHOR: Press Release
URL: http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOA_6ZPA4C_Eng

*Texas-sized sorghum: New non-GM solution for fuel?
SOURCE: Texas A&M University
AUTHOR: Press Release
URL: http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/SOIL/Apr3007a.htm

*Non-GM tomatoes made to drink less water
SOURCE: ANSA, Italy
URL: http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/
2007-04-30_13066586.html

*Non-GM rice with bacterial leaf blight-resistance genes developed
SOURCE: Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India
AUTHOR: Press Release
URL: http://www.icar.org.in/pr/20042007.htm

*Non-GM solution found for cassava root-rot devastation in Africa
SOURCE: New Scientist, UK
AUTHOR: Fred Pearce
URL: http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg19426002.000-
africas-cassava-comeback.htm l

*U.S. grape researcher breeds non-GM vines resistant to Pierce's Disease
SOURCE: Wine Spectator, USA
AUTHOR: Lynn Alley
URL: http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Features/0,1197,3739,00.html

*Non-GM method to produce virus-resistant brassica crops
SOURCE: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK
AUTHOR: Press Release
URL: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/media/pressreleases/
071101_genes_brassicas.html

*High-yielding, soybean cyst nematodes-resistant non-GM soybeans
SOURCE: Wallaces Farmer, USA
AUTHOR: Rod Swoboda
URL: http://wallacesfarmer.com/index.aspx?
ascxid=fpStory&fpsid=30749&fpstid=2

*Non-GM success in combating cassava mosaic virus in Africa
SOURCE: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy
AUTHOR: Press Release
URL: http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/field/2007/1000693/index.html

*Non-GM beans developed for harsh Mediterranean conditions
SOURCE: CropBiotech Update, Philipines
URL: file:///Users/HM/Library/Caches/Cleanup%20At%20Startup/PowerMail%
20HTML%20message%20file.html#1717