Pesticides can Harm Beneficial Soil Microorganisms
Many people have heard about the negative impacts of pesticides on health, but many have not heard about the impact on tiny organisms in the soil. A larger portion of soil is composed of a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms. Bacteria make up approximately 670lbs/acre of surface soil and there are many other types of microorganisms in the soil. (Braun). Anything put on plants or the soil can affect other organisms. Farmers spray their crops with conventional pesticides that are chemical based and can cause harm to those microorganisms. (Delaplane). Although pesticides have benefited food production, new safer alternatives should be implemented to keep the soil healthy and fertile.
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Bio pesticides are one example of a new type of organic pesticide that is now being made. These pesticides are made out of certain types of bacteria, plants, animals or minerals. Each material has its own characteristic that can control pests. They are designed to interfere with reproduction or a specific function that would inhibit them from destroying crops. Another alternative would be to genetically modify plants to resist certain pests. This would also cause less harm to the beneficial microbes in the soil. Alternatives to chemical pesticides are also less costly in the long run. They have a higher price but farmers will need less to keep crops pest free. Having food industries pesticide free could have many benefits. That food would not alone be healthy and beneficial for consumers but also the environment. Prince Charles of Wales asks the question should the world be pesticide free and states that, “It is a question worth considering, and only I ask it because my concern is simply that we seek to produce the healthiest food possible from the healthiest environment possible—for the long term—and to ensure that it is affordable for ordinary consumers…” (Prince Charles).
Pesticides have increased food production, quality and have decreased the spread of some diseases, but they have negative effects on the environment and the very important soil microorganisms. Three scientists who did a study in Nigeria explained, “It is then concluded that in spite the importance of pesticide used in agriculture, indiscriminate use of pesticide can lead to soil degradation.” (Ubouh). Using other alternatives to chemical pesticides is one step to increasing the health of soil microbes and decreasing the amount of fertilizers farmers
Many people have heard about the negative impacts of pesticides on health, but many have not heard about the impact on tiny organisms in the soil. A larger portion of soil is composed of a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms. Bacteria make up approximately 670lbs/acre of surface soil and there are many other types of microorganisms in the soil. (Braun). Anything put on plants or the soil can affect other organisms. Farmers spray their crops with conventional pesticides that are chemical based and can cause harm to those microorganisms. (Delaplane). Although pesticides have benefited food production, new safer alternatives should be implemented to keep the soil healthy and fertile.
There is …show more content…
Bio pesticides are one example of a new type of organic pesticide that is now being made. These pesticides are made out of certain types of bacteria, plants, animals or minerals. Each material has its own characteristic that can control pests. They are designed to interfere with reproduction or a specific function that would inhibit them from destroying crops. Another alternative would be to genetically modify plants to resist certain pests. This would also cause less harm to the beneficial microbes in the soil. Alternatives to chemical pesticides are also less costly in the long run. They have a higher price but farmers will need less to keep crops pest free. Having food industries pesticide free could have many benefits. That food would not alone be healthy and beneficial for consumers but also the environment. Prince Charles of Wales asks the question should the world be pesticide free and states that, “It is a question worth considering, and only I ask it because my concern is simply that we seek to produce the healthiest food possible from the healthiest environment possible—for the long term—and to ensure that it is affordable for ordinary consumers…” (Prince Charles).
Pesticides have increased food production, quality and have decreased the spread of some diseases, but they have negative effects on the environment and the very important soil microorganisms. Three scientists who did a study in Nigeria explained, “It is then concluded that in spite the importance of pesticide used in agriculture, indiscriminate use of pesticide can lead to soil degradation.” (Ubouh). Using other alternatives to chemical pesticides is one step to increasing the health of soil microbes and decreasing the amount of fertilizers farmers