All Natural, Mushroom-Based Pesticide Could Revolutionize Agriculture
Could an insecticide made from mushrooms compete with commercial pesticides applied to crops the world over?
Fungus expert Paul Stamets thinks so,
with a product he calls SMART pesticides. They are made from natural
fungi, which kill insects and protect crops without creating toxic
residue and runoff. If adopted, the mushroom pesticides would be a
breath of fresh air in our increasingly toxic environment.
with a product he calls SMART pesticides. They are made from natural
fungi, which kill insects and protect crops without creating toxic
residue and runoff. If adopted, the mushroom pesticides would be a
breath of fresh air in our increasingly toxic environment.
Pesticides can be necessary for
large-scale food production, but they also have harmful effects on the
natural world as well as on human health. Many of the chemicals used in
commercial pesticides, like ammonia, arsenic, benzene, chlorine, dioxins, formaldehyde and glyphosate are dangerous to people even in small doses, and they show up in human bodies after consumption of conventionally-grown food.
large-scale food production, but they also have harmful effects on the
natural world as well as on human health. Many of the chemicals used in
commercial pesticides, like ammonia, arsenic, benzene, chlorine, dioxins, formaldehyde and glyphosate are dangerous to people even in small doses, and they show up in human bodies after consumption of conventionally-grown food.
Widespread pesticide use is also one
possible culprit for the massive decline in bee populations over the
last decade, as well as a persistent cause of ground and fresh water
pollution.
possible culprit for the massive decline in bee populations over the
last decade, as well as a persistent cause of ground and fresh water
pollution.
