Monday, December 15, 2008

Bt rice,bt okra & bt brinjal-trail cultivation -safe or not?

Since 1996 plants have been modified with short sequences of genes from Bt to express the crystal protein Bt makes. With this method, plants themselves can produce the proteins and protect themselves from insects without any external Bt and/or synthetic pesticide sprays. In 1999, 29 million acres of Bt corn, potato and cotton were grown globally. It has been estimated that by using Bt protected cotton, the United States was able to save approximately $92 million.
Bt GM crops are protected specifically against European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, tobacco budworm, cotton bollworm, pink bollworm and the Colorado potato beetle. Other benefits attributed to using Bt include:
Reduced environmental impacts from pesticides – When the plants are producing the toxins in their tissues there is no need to spray synthetic pesticides or apply Bt mixtures topically.
Increased opportunity for beneficial insects – Bt proteins will not kill beneficial insects.
Reduced pesticide exposure to farm workers and non-target organisms.
Potential risks to using Bt:
Invasiveness – Genetic modifications, through traditional breeding or by genetic engineering can potentially change the organism to become invasive. Few introduced organisms become invasive, yet it’s a concern for the users.
Resistance to Bt - The biggest potential risk to using Bt-crops is resistance. Farmers have taken many steps to help prevent resistance.
Cross-contamination of genes - Although unproven, genes from GM crops can potentially introduce the new genes to native species.

Transgenic plants possess a gene or genes that have been transferred from a different species. Although DNA of another species can be integrated in a plant genome by natural processes, the term "transgenic plants" refers to plants created in a laboratory using recombinant DNA technology. The aim is to design plants with specific characteristics by artificial insertion of genes from other species or sometimes entirely different kingdoms. See also Genetics, List of genetic engineering topics.
Varieties containing genes of two distinct plant species are frequently created by classical breeders who deliberately force hybridization between distinct plant species when carrying out interspecific or intergeneric wide crosses with the intention of developing disease resistant crop varieties. Classical plant breeders use a number of in vitro techniques such as protoplast fusion, embryo rescue or mutagenesis to generate diversity and produce plants that would not exist in nature (see also Plant breeding, Heterosis, New Rice for Africa).
Such traditional techniques (used since about 1930 on) have never been controversial, or been given wide publicity except among professional biologists, and have allowed crop breeders to develop varieties of basic food crop, wheat in particular, which resist devastating plant diseases such as rusts. Hope is one such wheat variety bred by E. S. McFadden with a gene from a wild grass. Hope saved American wheat growers from devastating stem rust outbreaks in the 1930s.
Methods used in traditional breeding that generate plants with DNA from two species by non-recombinant methods are widely familiar to professional plant scientists, and serve important roles in securing a sustainable future for agriculture by protecting crops from pests and helping land and water to be used more efficiently.[citation needed] (see also Food security, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International development)
Bt cotton is the only genetically engineered crop approved by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for commercial cultivation in nine cotton growing states. These states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The total area under Bt cotton cultivation is approximately 128,44,000 acres. The GEAC has also approved the field testing of Bt rice, Bt okra, Bt brinjal, Bt tomato, Bt potato, Bt groundnut and Bt cotton expressing new gene events of which field trials of Bt rice, Bt okra, Bt brinjal and Bt cotton have been initiated. The states where field trials of GM crops have been undertaken include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, , Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.Extensive Rules and guidelines have been framed for evaluating the environmental and health safety aspects of genetically modified crops. The GEAC also takes into consideration the results of the biosafety data, findings of the field trials as well as recommendations of the Monitoring cum Evaluation Committee (MEC) constituted by the Government for evaluating the field trials of GM crops and recommendations of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) before approving the GM crop for commercial cultivation. Only those transgenic crops which are found to be safe for human consumption as well as the environment are approved for commercial release

Thrissur: The Kerala Agriculture University (KAU) on Monday denied reports that it has entered into an agreement with Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co (Mahyco) to provide it with the germplasm of indigenous rice varieties.KAU director of research D. Alexander told sources: "Though the company has approached us for the germplasm, we did not provide it." Mahyco is a company associated with the multi-national agribusiness firm Monsanto.A television channel in Kerala reported that the rice research station has entered into an agreement with the Mahyco to supply around 50 varieties of seeds conserved at its Regional Agriculture Research Station at Pattambi near here without the knowledge of the state government. The research centre conserves a large variety of indigenous rice varieties.The report added that KAU has agreed to make its fields available to experiment the 'terminator seeds' developed from the germplasm provided by the university.

Dr.G.Nammalvar ,teaching the farmers the sandwich method


Simple technology: Dr. G. Nammalvar, teaching the farmers the sandwich method.
Vegetables have a short lifespan compared to fruit crops. By making use of modern technologies and inputs, their lifespan can perhaps be extended to say about a year.
But if there is a simple method of growing vegetables throughout the year, without any costly gadgets, modern technologies, or costly inputs, it is definitely worth a try for the farmers.
Commonly called the ‘Bread sandwich method,’ once the soil is made ready and the suggested practices followed, one need not work on the soil for the second time. They can go on sowing and reaping, all through the year, according to Dr. G. Nammalvar, organic scientist.Better yield
But why call it the sandwich method? “We are used to eating sandwich in which vegetable or egg is inserted between two layers of bread. The same method is applied in gardening for a better yield.”
“Here, the top soil and sub soil are kept separated by inserting compost between the two layers of soil. Charcoal can also be inserted for better performance,” explained Dr. Nammalvar.
According to him, soil health forms the basis for the production of nutritious food from our garden.
“By feeding the micro (soil) organisms and maintaining soil moisture we can harvest maximum solar energy through photosynthesis. For the application of this principle we adopt sandwiching of soil.” The top soil is loose and contains more micro and macro organisms than the sub soil. The roots of plants, whether it is wheat or radish go up to a depth of more than 60 cm into the soil. Healthy soil
So it is important that the soil is healthy and the micro organisms live till a depth of about 60 centimetres. At the same time farmers must ensure that the top soil is not buried deep.
“To achieve this result, as a first step, we remove the top soil and keep it separate. Then we split the sub soil. In the third stage, a thick layer of well digested compost is added over the split sub soil. Finally, the top soil is replaced over the compost, said Dr. Nammalvar.
“This is called as soil sandwiching. Radish and greens can be sown on the edges. Vegetables with wider canopy such as tomato, brinjal, lady’s finger and chilli have to be allowed wider spacing. Avoid monocropping
“It is wise to avoid mono culture. Because plants of the same family compete with each other for light, water and nutrition.” While sowing the seeds, it is advisable for farmers to do relay cropping. Relay cropping means sowing or planting a seed or a plant before the withering of the previous one.
At the end of the harvest cut the vegetative parts and put back over the soil. In order to get better quality and more quantity let apply organic inputs.
Suitable combinations
By experience one can understand better combinations. One thumb rule is to see that one legume crop (e.g., cowpea) is sown adjacent to every non-legume (non-pulse) group plants.
The bed can be of any length. But it is advisable to keep the width to about 120cm. A bed size of about 1.2mX7.5m will fulfil the vegetables need of a single person (that is 200 gm of vegetables every day).
“The plants should be watered using sprinkler or rose cane or a hose with shower to create a rain effect. Wastewater used for washing the floors and utensils can also be used. It is better to water the plants during evening,” said Nammalvar.Minimum income
By adopting this practice a family of five persons can grow vegetables all through the year in 25 cents, or quarter of an acre of land, to ensure a certain minimum income throughout. At present there are about 2,500 farmers all over India who are practising it.
For information on training, readers can contact Dr. G. Nammalwar at email: nammalvar@gmail.comor mobile: 9442531699.
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Sunday, December 7, 2008

பாரதியார்

அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை (பண்டாரப் பாட்டு)அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையேஇச்சகத்துளோர் எல்லாம் எதிர்த்து நின்ற போதிலும்அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையேதுச்சமாக எண்ணி நம்மைத் தூறு செய்த போதிலும்அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையேபிச்சை வாங்கி உண்ணும் வாழ்க்கை பெற்று விட்ட போதிலும்அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையேஇச்சை கொண்ட பொருளெலாம் இழந்துவிட்ட போதிலும்அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையேகச்சணிந்த கொங்கை மாந்தர் கண்கள் வீசும் போதிலும்அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையேநச்சை வாயிலே கொணர்ந்து நண்பரூட்டும் போதிலும்அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையேபச்சை யூனியைந்த வேற்படைகள் வந்த போதிலும்அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையேஉச்சி மீது வானிடிந்து வீழூகின்ற போதிலும்அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை அச்சமென்பதில்லையே

Friday, November 28, 2008

After Nisha

Chennai, Nov 28 At least 70 people were killed and thousands rendered homeless in incessant rains in the state as cyclone Nisha that has crossed the Tamil Nadu coast near Karaikal left behind a trail of destruction. The cyclone, which crossed the Tamil Nadu coast near Karaikal yesterday, wreaked havoc there and in Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Tiruvarur district, Met office said.
Several fishing boats anchored near the shore in these areas broke free of its moorings and are reported missing. Standing paddy crops in these areas were submerged.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi expressed hope that the Centre would sanction adequate funds for flood relief works in the state. "We have provided details about the damage caused by the cyclone and heavy rains lashing the state to the Centre," he told reporters after going round the flood-hit areas in Chennai today.
Karunanidhi said he has asked the District Collectors to gather details of the damage. The relief works for the affected people would be taken up immediately, he said.
Earlier, he went around Kotturpuram, Saidapet, Gandhi Mandapam, Kilpauk and Perambur which were the worst hit in the rains in the city. The city was under a sheet of water with suburban lakes and tanks like Chembarambakkam, Poondi and Porur overflowing.
Most of the roads in the city were flooded and traffic was disrupted. People living on the banks of Adyar, Cooum rivers and in the low lying areas have been housed in schools and being provided food.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Nisha

NISHA cyclone crossed at 10.30am between KARAIKAL & CUDDALORE SEA SHORE

NISHA CYCLONE

Nisha cyclone in Tamilnadu
November 27, 2008 by திருமுருகன்

From the last fourty eight hours rain has been slashing continuously most of the people are affected.The deep depression turns in to cyclone names NISHA which expected to cross today morning between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam. On that time heavy storm and rain takes place. At least 65 people were killed and several others injured, as heavy rain continued to lash Tamil Nadu. The deaths mainly occurred due to house collapses and electrocution. Cyclonic alert has been issued in Tamil Nadu. According to Met sources, winds with a speed of over 70 km per hour may hit the central coast by evening today.Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Nagappattinam and Tiruvarur are the worst-hit districts. Fresh floods and water-logging have been reported from several parts of Tamil Nadu. Crops worth millions of rupees, are reportedly damaged due to heavy rain and floods. Thousand of people have been evacuated to safer places.

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