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RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50 percent more potatoes, rice

sciencedaily.com

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Re: RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50 percent more potatoes, rice

#171
post #158
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Deeper roots tend to make for healthier soil. This is why dandelions are such a boon for someone with poor soil. Their deep roots break up poorly aerated soil allowing aerobic bacteria to produce nutrients for plants. Modern farmers are keenly aware of soil quality and spend a lot of time and money to keep their farms running at top efficiency. The thing that worries me the most about modern farming is the use of pet…

While the statement implying that modern farmers are good Shepard's of soil quality is... debatable at best and I'd argue mostly false it is certainly true that, as a rule, deeper / larger root structures benefit soil rather than diminishing. Especially within the same family of crops deeper roots will always result in a healthier soil than shallow.

I don't remember saying they are good shepherds. Just keenly aware. The usual solution is to dump many tons of petrochemical based fertilizers and amendments into their soil which washes off into local waterways.

Re: RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50 percent more potatoes, rice

#173
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Peas famously have been cultivated from a single mutation that does not burst when ripe. They can't reproduce without human intervention.

Even when birds or small mammals eat and digest the seeds?

To be clear my knowledge of this topic is limited to that found in 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' by Jared Diamond. I haven't checked his sources.
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