[Terrapreta] No till faming

[Greg and April]

Can you define damage?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, just trying to point out that sometimes damage can be somewhat obscure.

If we believe that soil biology like other organisms, require a balanced diet, the very fact that mono-cropping does not provide such - means that it is hindering in some way shape or form.    

Round-Up not only assist in that mono cropping, it is actively promoted for that reason " Weed free fields " then we have no choice but to believe that Round-Up does indeed "damage" soil biology ( life ).


I hate the stuff, but that being said, I admit to having a little on hand, to control invasive plant species, that has resisted ALL other efforts, and to make sure that it only goes where it is needed, I use a paint brush to apply it only to the very plant that is being controlled.    

This idea that it's ok to spray it every where to knock down a cover crop in preparation to planting, is a big mistake.


Greg H.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Bailes 
  To: Terra Preta 
  Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 9:11
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] No till faming


  Can you point to any research that shows Rounup et all kill or otherwise damge soil micro-organisms?
  m


  2008/5/25 Nikolaus Foidl <nfoidl at desa.com.bo>:

    Hi Michael!

    The linkage to Tp is , if we believe that the main positive effect of Charcoal is breeding ground for Microbial live and on the other hand the physical ability of the charcoal is to adsorb and absorb those types of toxins for the bacterial and fungal live we so hardly want to promote, then we have a problem and not a small one.
    Best regards Nikolaus




    On 5/24/08 10:37 AM, "Michael Bailes" <michaelangelica at gmail.com> wrote:


      You are obviously very concerned about this, but what does it have to do with TP or char amended soils?

      I doubt very much that Glyphosate will ever be banned when now, 2/3 of the planet are using DDT again and we know what that does. Glyphosate does not have the rap sheet of chlorinated hydrocarbons(DDT DDE Dieldrin Toxaphene etc etc) or organo-phosphates..

      There seems to be little research done on Glyphosate, that shows bio-accumulation or too many other adverse effects.
      That done a few years ago on how it killed frogs was side-stepped by Monsanto by adding a different surfactant and promoting the new Roundup Biactive as a safe alternative.
      I have seen one research paper since saying it didn't kill four varieties of Australian Frogs, but you would need to be on Monsanto's case full time to see what is really happening.

      Personally I think making a food plant resistant to a weedicide you sell and then selling both is immoral.
      I think there is some justification for GM crops if they help feed people , but this is an obvious, amoral, money-making, corporate play/ploy.

      I would love to see TP stay true to its roots and stay organic; but it is a big world out there and I can't shoot all the people I'd like to :).
      Michael

      2008/5/24 Nikolaus Foidl <nfoidl at desa.com.bo>:

        Dear Michael!

        That is exactly the perversion of 0-tillage. It started 30 or more years ago with the intention to escape the high costs of mechanical weeding 
        Please people, once in your live, get real. Lets speak charcoal meanwhile Monsanto or Pioneer does not sell or promote it.

        I rest my case
        Nikolaus





        On 5/24/08 7:37 AM, "Michael Bailes" <michaelangelica at gmail.com> wrote:


          The CSIRO seems very keen about it here and is promoting it both here and in SE Asia.
          They say it helps increase soil micro-organisms and enhances plant growth due to better biological activity. Some plant diseases are prevented.

          Does it have to always include weedicides?
          I note that even the CSIRO is talking about plant weedicide resistance.











  -- 
  Michael the Archangel
  "Politicians will never solve The Problem;
  because they don't realise they are The Problem.".
  -Robert ( Bob ) Parsons 1995



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