Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
(d) Pest control
Use is made of natural pest control using pest traps, predator insects or
microbiology to bring pests into an acceptable balance rather than blitz them
completely with strong chemicals. By doing this, biological farmers will accept a
degree of crop loss or crop damage in the belief that the produce that is harvested
is of superior quality. Some pesticides used are: Pyrethrum, Neem oil (that will kill
predators as well as pests), pheromone baits, and milk can be used as a fungicide.
The other aspect of pest control is that if soil nutrients are in balance and the plant
is healthy, then often pest attack is minimal and other control measures are not
necessary.
(e) Permaculture
A permaculture system is designed to integrate climate, soil, water, plant and
animal interrelationships and a range of plant types that can benefit each other's
growth. The designs include animal and aquatic production in an integrated
system where plants benefit animals and animals benefit plants. Production per
hectare can be very high in total but can also be very labour intensive.
(f) Companion planting
Companion planting designs make use of characteristics of one plant (for example
garlic), which if planted near another plant (such as apple trees) can help reduce
pest attack. Plants that compliment each other in a culinary sense often grow well
together as well, such as basil and tomatoes. The concept is that a synergy develops
between carefully chosen plant species when planted close to each other, thus
increasing the production of both.
(g) Biodynamics
The principles of 'biodynamic farming' were developed in European climatic and
soil conditions and include the use of microbial products such as 'Product 500' and
by increasing soil energy levels. A skilled user of the biodynamic system can
achieve sustainable high production of quality produce. The system is hard to
quantify using current scientific methods, but this is not to say it is not effective.
While it was developed in a cooler and moister climate than most of Australia
enjoys, it will still work in the harsher Australian conditions. If using this system,
care must be taken to keep both aerobic and anaerobic organisms in the proper
balance, because if anaerobic organisms are neglected, the system can suffer 'burn-
out' over time. With all the farming practices mentioned here, if produce is
exported off the farm then there is the risk of the inorganic nutrients becoming
depleted and deficient for the plant's needs. Regular soil testing to monitor
nutrient levels will show if some nutrients need to be replaced for use by
subsequent crops.
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