Another IPM method is rotating crops. Farmers do not plant the same crop season after season in the same soil. Instead, they may plant corn one season, soybeans the next, then corn again.
Brenda Vander Mey is also with Clemson University. She says farmers should not endlessly work the same soil without putting back some organic matter.
James Frederick says farmers need information about what crops are best to plant. He says that sometimes disease-resistant crops will reduce harvests. He said a last choice would be chemical control. But he suggests using management methods first.
Another possible method of pest control is using genetically modified plants. They have had their genes changed to contain a special characteristic, like resistance to certain insects.
Brenda Vander Mey says she believes improvements in plants can be very helpful. She noted the example of genetic engineering that makes rice more nutritious by producing beta carotene.
And that’s the VOA Special English Agriculture Report. I’m Bob Doughty. You can read and download our programs at voaspecialenglish.com.
Contributing: Jim Stevenson and Jerilyn Watson
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25