SEARCH:
Sign in | Join | Help
search Mercola.com
 
FREE Subscription 
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter
Share this article
Previous Article
Next Article
Organic Farming Increases Crop Yields
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
July 13 2007 | 11,998 views

Pesticides that are used on nearly every acre of conventional farmland in the United States are reducing crop yields by one-third.

Pesticides disrupt chemical signaling between plants and impair symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF), an important process for plant growth. At least 30 pesticides are known to disrupt SNF, including the most widely used pesticide in the United States, Roundup.

SNF plays a critical role in supporting crop yields and environmental quality, and well-functioning SNF can greatly reduce farm production costs. In Brazil, soybean SNF reduces production costs by $1.3 billion each year.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 12, 2007, Vol. 104, No. 24

The Organic Center July 2007
 


Dr. Mercola''s Comments
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Follow me on facebook

This study points out one obvious reason why well-managed organic crops enjoy enhanced crop yields in the long run. The farmers are not jeopardizing their crops’ health by applying toxic pesticides.

It is very difficult to avoid long term problems in many areas when we continue to rely excessively on synthetic approaches. Once we start tinkering around with the natural order of things -- whether it’s adding synthetic fertilizer and pesticides to your food or taking prescription drugs  -- any number of unpleasant and unforeseen effects can pop up.

And like prescription drugs, pesticides are also a major challenge for your body and can cause many diseases you would want to avoid. In addition to the problems they cause on farms. Pesticides have been clearly associated with a number of problems such as:

You don't need to have a medical degree to know that anything which kills insects and other living creatures is not likely to be very good for you. Developing babies are particularly at risk, and one of the most important things a pregnant woman can do is avoid these chemicals as if her baby's life depended on it.

One of the best ways to avoid ingesting pesticides is by buying organic foods. And be aware that it’s not just produce that is the problem; don't overlook the pesticides in your meat.


Related Links:



Share this article
Previous Article
Next Article
Comment on This Article Community Comments (32)

 
Share this article
Previous Article
Next Article
 
 
© Copyright 2009 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.