[Terrapreta] You Are What You Grow

[MMBTUPR at aol.com]

               to Terrapreta               from   Lewis L Smith

Yes, you may indeed be right in stating that the focus was on modern 
industrial agriculture. An example would be the compacting of the soil from the use of 
heavy Klaas cane harvesters, without subsoiling when the cane is replanted 
after the last ratoon.

However, one really needs long time series to pick up all the effects of good 
and bad management systems, especially in countries where one must contend 
with the complication of long cycles of rainfall and drought. Hence my 
suggestion of a look at the sugar industry.   

[ Brazil is another country where sugar has been planted for several 
centuries in some places. ]

While we are on the subject, it is well to keep in mind that abuse of 
agricultural land is an ancient evil, not a modern one. For example, the collapse of 
Mayan and Middle Eastern kingdoms and empires, due at least in part to the 
accumulation of salts in the irrigation system. The destruction of Greek farm 
land since ancient times by cutting down trees and grazing goats. And so on.

Cordially.   ### 





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