Paul, natural pesticides abound in nature, although Momma Nature
probly doesn't think of them as such. Natural evolution selects
characteristics in both plants and animals that favor propagation
success. For instance, extreme body odor would tend to repel
potential mates and so has been diminished although not eliminated in
humans. So, too, in plants, those scents and colors that attract
pollinators tend to be rewarded and so the plant propagates. To reach
propagation maturity, however, the plant must ward off or withstand
the many animals that would devour or hurt it before propagation.
Think cacti and thorns. Natural pesticides produce smells that ward
off the bad guys.
James noted plants of the nightshade family. That includes potatoes.
From Wikipedia: "Potatoes naturally produce solanine and chaconine,
a related glycoalkaloid, as a defense mechanism against insects,
disease, and predators." Yet we eat lots of potatoes, apparently with
impunity, so long as an excess is not ingested.
On Jun 12, 2007, at 10:28 AM, TradingPostPaul wrote:
And just what toxic natural pesticides are they talking about?
Can't name
them, can they. The idea that natural substances in ordinary food
plants
are toxic in a typical person's diet is beyond silliness.