I !' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' • 1,f,~1'.:bu~.h ,!'Ali '-~i,i,ul!.\ ,!· ilf • .• !~,~1. :i1)liJ · ij ,'.~Ii ~~ i1r,~t1)~,1:,lJf~ttj1., Ji~,,1i!:1r,!t1Jt!1,1r•r!ttlu 1t1'•~~ if ~~t,li\~{~ 1; • 1 1 lncreas1ng-D1vers1t .. 11111 i.1,w 111 ltural Systems 'I ·~tzf J.. '.~t _, ~ 1 11 ., •• 1 • fll&..,lHI ,l ' i .' ~ " J: I! ,l,~~J~- I\ ' _,.m by Tad Mutersbaugh Neat rows of corn stretch to the even horizon, faded by ~he approaching dusk. The silence engulfs one with its ceaseless roar, and there is nothing but the rustle of ster_ile stalks in the sighing breeze to ruffle one's awareness. Where are the chirping crickets, the harsh squawking of circling crows? Kick tbe soil with an inquiring boot-toe and the dust curls lifelessly in the nightwind. The crop, perhaps a little .too leafy, exhibits fat, starchy kernels. Protein? Oh, maybe a little. Trace elements? Gone with the tiny rivulet of water which cut that miniature gully winding down yonder. To an insect or disease, the message is as clear as one of those back-road diner signs to a the shift to a renewable energy base is to succeed. Many perspectives are valuable in this quest; historic, cultural, ecological. An ecological,perspective outlines what is possi~le, and , suggests new paths. Invaluable in a word. hungry traveler: GOOD FOOD. Stand at a fence row with a cornfield on one side and a . patch of prairie on the oth_er. On one side big bluestem, sedges, foxtails, thistle, legumes, bobbing clover blossoms and on the other: corn. The cornfield, a monoculture, is a~ exceedingly The farm uses far more energy than it produces in calories for • human consumption. This terrible energy loss must be converted to a net energy gain if agriculture is to outlast petroleum reserves. Analysis of where energy is lost in the system and •simple' ecosystem. With only one plant and no animals there are few possible interactions. On the other hand, polycultures display great diversity, a realm of possible interactions that might as well be infinite as far as an-alysis is concerned. As an ecologist one might subscribe to the school of systems theory. Although this is only one way to perceive the dynamic, vital forces of mJ.ture, it offers fascinating insights, why it requires such energy-intensive methods is essential if , - ---- RESOURCES ---- --~--- ---~ Microhabitat Diversity-Companion Planting: Research for this method is progressing from both the bottom and the-top. Insect Control in the People's Republic of China-Trip Report of the American Insect Control Delegation, 1977, $11.25, from: Printing and Publishing Office National Academy of Sciences 2101 Constitution Avenue Washington, DC 20418 The Chinese may be the world's experts on production efficiency. Their methods reflect a commitment to a net energy gain in their use of the most•energy efficient resource around, human beings. They have done extensive resear~h on Page 18 RAIN November 1979 . companion planting with grain crops. They have also had good results with the companion planting of cotton and grains, especially significant for our agriculture, as this crop receives about one-half of all our pesticides. ' The Land Institute Rt. 3 Salina, KS 67401 The Land Institute is starting at the "grass roots" by attempting to discover_ prairie grasses whic~ are pre-adapted so that they produce more when grown together.than separately. These grasses wjil then be bred to produce for human consumption. Planned Hedgerow Project Bill Crepps U.C. Davis Dept. of Entomology Davis, CA 95616 A long-term project striking straight to the roots of the pest problem. This report proposes tests for possible genera and arrangement of hedgerows/flowers to serve as breedir;ig and shelter grounds for beneficial insects. Bibliography. General Agriculture Canadian Food and Agriculture Sustainability and SelfReliance, 1979, free from: Publications Office Science Council of Canada 1~0 Metcalfe Street. Ottawa, Ontario, KlP 5Ml CANADA Whatever may be hypothesized or said of alternative methods of agriculture, political power is the only channel to reverse the current threat of landlessness that faces small ho-lders around the globe. The atmosphere is hardly conducive to agricultural innovation. Witness the politics involved in merely considering alternatives.
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