Controlling Weed Propulations Before They Become a Problem
“In living nature, nothing happens which is unconnected to the wholes.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Demand for organic soybeans, corn and other grains is increasing dramatically worldwide. These organic grains are used directly as human food or fed to organic animals. At the same time, organic production is also rapidly increasing. Because the organic human food market has become considerably more discerning, it is no longer sufficient to simply produce organic crops. It is now essential that organic farmers learn how to produce superior quality organic crops. It is possible to consistently produce food organically that is far better quality and more nutritious than conventionally produced food.
As farmers learn organic practices, the first two questions invariably seem to be: What materials do I buy for soil fertility, and what machinery do I buy to control weeds? This is not the best way to approach organic farm management. An organic farmer cannot merely substitute an organic input directly for a conventional input. When this input substitution approach is adopted, the focus becomes far too narrow and expensive, seeking only replacements for conventional inputs without changing the total approach to farm management. Looking at only one factor in isolation can often result in missing subtle but critical effects, and drawing incorrect conclusions. One must look at a much broader picture, for every factor is interrelated and cannot be isolated from any other factor.
An example of this can be found with the conventional approach to growing alfalfa. To raise yield, large amounts of potassium chloride are commonly applied. Because of the nutritional imbalance this causes, both in the plant and in the soil, the plants become much more susceptible to insects, often requiring insecticide applications. Weed problems will increase. Instead of producing high-quality protein, the alfalfa accumulates nitrogenous compounds that are not true proteins or amino acids, as well as potentially toxic nitrates. Animals fed this alfalfa then will frequently have metabolic problems from excessive potassium intake and may suffer from other apparently unrelated health problems due to the nitrates. Few farmers connect the insect, weed, or animal health problems back to potassium fertilization, but will instead try to solve each problem as if it were a separate, isolated condition.
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