robert luis rabello wrote "However, our vegetable garden is bursting with produce. We've NEVER had such an abundant harvest, and for the first time EVER, I'm growing maize that's taller than I am! (We have a sunflower that is well over 3 meters in height, too!)"
Robert, Have these large crops in your garden been tested for nutrients? Everyone, An article posted on this list July 25, 2005. (Planet of the Plants By Glenn Scherer, Grist Magazine) told how many plants are growing much larger but are losing nitrogen and other important nutrients: Gaseous CO2 fertilization does cause remarkable growth spurts in many plants, and could create a greener planet with beefier tomatoes and faster-growing, bigger trees. But there's a catch: The insects, mammals, and impoverished people in developing countries who feed on this bounty may end up malnourished, or even starving. The less-nutritious plants of a CO2-enriched world will likely not be a problem for rich nations, where "super-sized" meals and vitamin supplements are a dietary mainstay. But things could be very different in the developing world, where millions already live on the edge of starvation, and where the micronutrient deficit, known as "hidden hunger," is already considered one of the world's leading health problems by the United Nations... today's plants had the lowest levels of calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, and zinc than at any time in the last three centuries. The obvious way to reduce the risk of declining food quality is to cut fossil-fuel emissions, thereby reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Does anyone know what plants can maintain their nutrients in spite of the excess CO2 that makes them grow so large? Im meeting with someone from Columbia who is teaching poor people in 16 developing countries how to grow food for almost no cost. This information would be very helpful to share with him. Marilyn
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