This website was created for Biology 361: Genetically Modified Organisms at Davidson College.by Mike Chase and Monica Siegenthaler

 

Alternatives

The following alternatives can be used to reduce or eliminate herbicide use, decreasing the adverse effects associated with their use.

  1. Organic Farming-  Organic farming uses natural compounds as herbicides and fertilizers.  Some organic farms do not use any pesticides at all.  Instead, they plant “cover crops” like alfalfa to keeps weeds in control until it is time to sow the pesticide-free organic seeds.  Letting farms “rest” is the first step to organic farming.  Not growing any crops allows chemical pesticides and fertilizers to break down (Scott 2002). 

Permission pending from http://www.ers.usda.gov/.../Questions/ organiccroplandmap.htm

 

2. Microorganisms-  Robert J Kremer proposes the use of certain
microorganisms for the depletion of the soil seed weed bank (Liebman et al 1993).

3.Goats-  The city of Denver was using goats in a trial as urban weed killers.  Certain areas of the city were weed-choked by invasive species.  The city wants to reduce the use of herbicides and pesticides in the long run with these goats.  The goats work in two four-hour shifts daily in temporarily fenced-in areas.  In addition to weeding, the goats also till the soil, re-seed, and fertilize the area.  The goats can work at a rate of about one acre per day (“Goats” 1999).

4. Herbicide resistant crops-  Herbicide resistant crops confer resistance to “new generation” herbicides (glyphosate, sulfonylureas and glufosinate ammonium).  These “new generation” herbicides are used at substantially lower dose rates, have much lower animal toxicities, and much shorter half-lives in the environment.  The idea is for there to be less reliance on the more persistent herbicides that remain in the environment for longer time periods (Conner 1999).

 

 

 

© Copyright 2002 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to: michase@davidson.edu or mosiegenthaler@davidson.edu