When it comes to agriculture, one of the areas that is often considered the most difficult is weed control. For years, farmers have tried various methods to get rid of weeds, including chemicals, herbicides, and more. In recent years, several innovative organizations have been formed to improve the ways that conventional and non-conventional agriculture handle weed problems. One of the pioneers in this field is the European-based Non-GMO Project. It has helped reduce the use of pesticides and other synthetic chemicals used in conventional agriculture by more than 50%.

Sweet clover is a weed-resistant plant that has been proven to provide a sustainable source of fiber, a major food source for dairy and beef producers. This organic farmer based project has helped many traditional crop producers reduce their use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. By working with weeds, sweet clover can help improve the health of the soil and increase productivity. In a new study published in Agriculture Science, s Scientific Research Centre in Lethbridge, Manitoba, researchers found that planting sweet clover with alfalfa in a non-chemical, weed-tolerant system proved more effective at controlling weeds than conventional spraying with both herbicides.

The problem with conventional tillage is that it doesn’t control the development of the weeds’ root system. Weed seeds are especially resistant to the chemical treatments used to kill them. As a result, weeds quickly take over the vacant soil beneath the cover crop. This causes the plant to wilt, stunt and eventually die. The practice of tillage also disrupts the soil’s oxygen content, causing it to become unfit for plant life. The Non-GMO Project found that the combined effects of both weed management practices on soils made it impossible for the weed to survive.

One of the methods used to control weeds in traditional agriculture is the use of synthetic chemicals like herbicides or pesticides. While these chemical substances are widely used to kill unwanted pests and to encourage the growth of beneficial crop plants, they can be toxic to humans and to the environment. In addition, synthetic chemicals can disrupt the soil’s chemical balance and alter its chemistry. This causes the soil to become acidic or alkaline, which may lead to the breakdown of crops. Working with a local grower to develop a natural system that relies on natural materials, native plants and ecological micro-organisms to restore and maintain soil quality, can better protect both farmers and consumers.

For example, the nutrients found in sweet clover that are important for promoting plant health are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. These nutrients are easily absorbed by the plant, increasing crop production and helping it to form proteins and carbohydrates. However, when the plant grows for its second year, the root systems have already established their biomass, or what the ancients called “carbon.” This biomass serves as a store of food for the crop through the years. When the plant comes to harvest, the carbon that stores carbon becomes available as what we call “starchy” carbon, which is useful to plant life and is a primary source of energy.

One effective way to restore carbon to the soils would be to mix in natural green manure. A natural system will contain both plant nutrients and nitrogen, along with other trace elements that can be helpful in promoting plant health. Manure is often made from animal waste or from human excrement. The animal waste is often decomposed or treated sewage sludge that has been taken from the animal digestion process. This manure is generally not allowed to go into fields because of the contamination risk, although some states do have programs to reintroduce it periodically.

Manure can also be mixed in with green manure to restore carbon to the soils, while promoting the growth of crop plants. A good organic soil program should mix in at least 10% of organic matter, such as green manure or dead leaves and fur. Manure is primarily an agricultural product, and it’s important to make sure that you get an organic grade that meets or exceeds the requirements of your crop. Organic certification ensures that the crop meets the highest standards of environmental health. Some crops that are organically certified include: alfalfa, clover, cucumbers, eggplant, lentil, mung beans, peas, spinach, strawberries, and sweet potatoes.

In addition to the above organic foods that contain the necessary plant nutrients, there are a number of commercially produced fertilizers that can also be added to the soils to increase plant growth and improve the quality of the crop. Most of these commercially produced fertilizers are phosphates. Phosphorus is an essential element in ensuring that the root systems in the soil to receive the proper amount of water and nutrients. Plants that are well-nourished have a stronger root system and grow more effectively. On the other hand, when a plant is fed a phosphorous-fertilized diet, the roots will absorb all the nutrients in the fertilizer and the plant grows at an unnatural rate. The resulting plant will not be as robust as plants that are fed a non-phosphorus fertilizer.