permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 11/25/2011 2:27 AM, Thomas Paul Jahn wrote:
> I can already see the problem. Plants are smart and will not keep up
> with the systemic acquired resistance just because of the presence of
> a single protein of a pest. If they wouldn't mind to keep the
> resistance constantly on, they would do anyway. But they don't. In
> the natural situation, the pathway will be switched on in part
> because of harpin. And if the response as a whole is successful, the
> pathogen will eventually vanish. But when you keep applying the
> protein, eventually the plants will turn off their signal perception
> and consequently their resistance in spite of the presence of the
> protein. Then, when the real pathogen comes along, this particular
> protein may not serve as a signal any longer, because the plants are
> desensitized.
>
> In the end, the protein didn't help the plant to develop resistance,
> but prevents it from doing so.
>
> I think the question is not, if Harpin is allowed in organic farming.
> The question is, if it makes sense. And it does not in my eyes.
> Companion planting and all the other good permaculture practices must
> be the solution.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [SANET-MG] is Harpin allowed in organic crops?
Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:31:05 -0500
From: jcummins <jcummins@UWO.CA>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

Thanks Margaret and all others responding to my question. I find that
those selling Harpen as an organic pesticide tend to very misleading
regarding the fact that the commercial product is produced by a
transgene in E coli. An example of such a pitch is given below. Also its
use in organic production is a slippery slope and the GM harpen products
are looming and these will likely be used as a wedge to allow USDA to
declare transgenic crops to be organic?
Bothell, Washington-based Eden Bioscience has developed the pesticide
alternative they've dubbed Messenger—a product that works on plants much
the same way that a vaccine protects humans from disease.Utilizing
harpin, a naturally occurring protein first discovered at Cornell
University, Messenger—which received EPA approval in 2000—activates a
plant's natural defense and growth systems. Eden says Messenger's harpin
technology provides broad protection against disease and reduces damage
caused by pests. This, claims Eden, leads to improved plant growth, crop
yield and quality.
Even though the EPA classifies Messenger as a biochemical pesticide,
growers can be assured they are being ecologically conscious when they
use Messenger. That's because the harpin protein in Messenger is
virtually nontoxic. In addition, the plant never actually absorbs the
protein.
http://www.albrightseed.com/newtechnology.htm
cheers, joe cummins

Important: EMPLOY is a natural product, but is not certified USDA
Organic and may not be used as part of a USDA Organic agriculture program.