Synthetic fertilizers have certainly played important roles in food and fiber production and increasing crop yields over the years. However, excessive fertilizer use can quietly harm these beneficial soil microbe communities, in addition to fueling water pollution.

Studies have shown that overfertilizing can weaken the underground partnerships between plants and microbes that are fundamental to helping plants access nutrients and tolerate stress. Too much nitrogen fertilizer can reduce the diversity and abundance of beneficial soil microbes.

cross-posted from: https://news.abolish.capital/post/63106

Across North America, in places such as Illinois, Iowa and Texas, farmers are busy growing the crops the world depends on for food, fuel and fiber.


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  • Jax@sh.itjust.works
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    23 days ago

    Burning fields is not good for your fields, it is good for farming. It clears fields of pests and unwanted weeds without using huge amounts of poison.

    It is especially bad in places that flood, like where I live. You burn your fields, it rains, all that ash and top soil just gets washed away.