This was the book that, as they say these days, "awoke" me many moons ago:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_SpringTraces of 122 different pesticides in 12 most polluted fruit and veg products
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Re: Traces of 122 different pesticides in 12 most polluted fruit and veg products
#92Earlier quoted context omitted.
I’m interested, can you share some source for this information?
Is probably saying that plants accumulate deterring substances against plagues, but this can be applied only in some cases Such plants would assure to remove unpleasant substances in mature fruits, that are carefully designed to be eaten and to be as safe as possible. Because different plant species compete for our attention. A plant that keeps putting harmful substances in its fruits is losing the game at middle ter…
> A plant that keeps putting harmful substances in its fruits is losing the game at middle term. We would just spread more seeds of its tastier competitors instead.
Humans indeed find some endogenous pesticides unpleasant; but we enjoy others very much, to the point of addiction. For example, nicotine from tobacco dust was used historically as a pesticide on other plants, and many modern synthetic pesticides are nicotine analogs (neonics). On a milder note, the compounds that give many herbs their flavor are also insecticides--it's easier to grow basil without an aphid problem than lettuce. The question of why we evolved to enjoy those poisons is interesting, with no clear answer:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3817850/
That said, the original claim makes little sense. Natural pest resistance often arises from higher concentrations of endogenous pesticides, but this would generally just mean something like "stronger-tasting herbs", not any harm. Even if it were harmful, conventional growers prefer varieties with good natural resistance too.
Re: Traces of 122 different pesticides in 12 most polluted fruit and veg products
#93Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is probably saying that plants accumulate deterring substances against plagues, but this can be applied only in some cases Such plants would assure to remove unpleasant substances in mature fruits, that are carefully designed to be eaten and to be as safe as possible. Because different plant species compete for our attention. A plant that keeps putting harmful substances in its fruits is losing the game at middle ter…
> A plant that keeps putting harmful substances in its fruits is losing the game at middle term. We would just spread more seeds of its tastier competitors instead. Humans indeed find some endogenous pesticides unpleasant; but we enjoy others very much, to the point of addiction. For example, nicotine from tobacco dust was used historically as a pesticide on other plants, and many modern synthetic pesticides are nico…
I don't think that defensive substances to made the plant unpalatable should be put in the same category as modern pesticides, designed to kill everything by contact (including predators) instead of to deter the plant eaters. Is a totally new level.
Re: Traces of 122 different pesticides in 12 most polluted fruit and veg products
#94This is an area where I'm torn. Should I be buying only organic produce or should I be spending the same money and energy on eating less sugar and more of any kind of produce? There is a tradeoff... with young kids and a full-time job the time I can spend buying or preparing meals is pretty limited. I don't fully understand the magnitude of the risks of, say, eating too much vs. eating too much pesticide. I'm also ki…
Organic food actually doesn't have significantly less pesticides in them. Here is a good video about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PmM6SUn7Es
Re: Traces of 122 different pesticides in 12 most polluted fruit and veg products
#95Earlier quoted context omitted.
> A plant that keeps putting harmful substances in its fruits is losing the game at middle term. We would just spread more seeds of its tastier competitors instead. Humans indeed find some endogenous pesticides unpleasant; but we enjoy others very much, to the point of addiction. For example, nicotine from tobacco dust was used historically as a pesticide on other plants, and many modern synthetic pesticides are nico…
I don't think that defensive substances to made the plant unpalatable should be put in the same category as modern pesticides, designed to kill everything by contact (including predators) instead of to deter the plant eaters. Is a totally new level.
> ..modern pesticides, designed to kill everything by contact (including predators) instead of to deter the plant eaters..
This is not an accurate statement, obviously modern pesticides are not as targeted as would be optimal but they are most certainly not designed to kill everything by contact. For example I will apply Coragen later in the season when I need Grasshopper control, despite greater expense, because it is much less harmful to bees than more cost-effective options.