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By Robert Zubrin and Gal Luft

In recent weeks, a flood of reports and statements has claimed that the world’s biofuel programs—in particular the U.S. corn ethanol effort—is starving poor people around the globe. Even the UN’s special rapporteur for the Right to Food decried biofuel production as “a crime against humanity.”

It seems so obvious: With so much corn being turned into fuel, food shortages must inevitably result, and biofuel programs must be the cause. However, that’s completely untrue. Here are the facts. In the last five years, despite the nearly threefold growth of the corn ethanol industry (or actually because of it), the U.S. corn crop grew by 35 percent, the production of distillers grain (a high-value animal feed made from the protein saved from the corn used for ethanol) quadrupled and the net corn food and feed product of the U.S. increased 26 percent. Contrary to claims that farmers have cut other crops to grow more corn, U.S. soybean plantings this year are expected to be up 18 percent and wheat plantings up 6 percent. U.S. farm exports are up 23 percent. America is clearly doing its share in feeding the world.

Agriculture is not a zero-sum game. There are 800 million acres of farmland in the U.S., and only about 30 percent of it is actually being used to grow anything. As a result of the ethanol program, the corn price received by farmers doubled over the last five years, causing a huge increase in the amount grown in terms of acreage and yield.

The increased demand for food from the hundreds of millions of people in China and India rising out of poverty and moving to a more calorie-rich diet affects the price of food the most. Second is the price of fuel.

Higher fuel prices increase the cost of production, transport, wages and packaging, the main cost of retail food. For example, a $3 box of cornflakes contains 15 ounces of corn that cost 8 cents when bought from the farmer. So, farm commodity prices have almost no effect on retail prices. But the effect of oil price increases can be huge.

Which brings us to the real culprit: the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. This year, with OPEC-rigged oil prices exceeding $100 a barrel, the U.S. will pay $800 billion for its oil supply, and the world as a whole will pay $3.2 trillion. These figures are both up a factor of 10 from what they were in 1999 and represent a huge regressive tax on the world economy. In this, biofuels have done more good than damage to the poor.

According to Merrill Lynch analysts, without biofuel programs, the price of oil would be about $13 a barrel higher than it now is. A $13 savings for each barrel could save the U.S. $65 billion in foreign oil payments.

So, rather than shut down biofuel programs, we need to radically augment them, to the point where we can take down the oil cartel. Congress can make this happen by passing a law requiring that all new cars sold in the U.S. be flex-fuel vehicles that can run on any combination of gasoline, ethanol or methanol. The technology costs only about $100 per vehicle.

By making America a flex-fuel vehicle market, we will effectively make flex-fuel the international standard. Around the world, gasoline would be forced to compete against alcohol fuels made from a number of sources, including not only commercial crops such as corn and sugar, but cellulosic ethanol made from crop residues and weeds, as well as methanol made from any kind of biomass, coal, natural gas and recycled urban trash. By creating such a fuel market, we can enormously expand and diversify humanity’s fuel resource base, protecting all nations from continued economic bleeding and, indeed, in some cases, starvation. That, and not blindly accepting the naysayers’ propaganda demanding the preservation of the oil monopoly, should be our course.

Robert Zubrin is the author of “Energy Victory: Winning the War on Terror by Breaking Free of Oil.” Gal Luft is executive director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security. They are members of the Set America Free Coalition.

On 26th March 2008 the University Board of Utrecht University, The Netherlands, informed the employees of the Utrecht Herbarium that as of 1 June 2008 the Herbarium is to be closed and, with immediate effect, access to the collections, from national as well as international workers, is to cease. This must not be allowed!

• Closure of the Herbarium is a disaster for current national and international research!
• Closure of the Herbarium is a disaster for any future research!
• Closure of the Herbarium contradicts the Biodiversity Covenant signed by the Netherlands which ensures the accessibility of data relating to biodiversity (either under Dutch ownership or under Dutch guardianship)!
• Closure of the Herbarium is a disaster for all the botanical and ecological research taking place in South America, especially Suriname, Guyana, French Guyana and the Amazonian basin.
• Closure of the Herbarium is in effect a denial of the cultural-historical value of this Herbarium to The Netherlands and Suriname!
• Closure of the Herbarium is the start of scientific deterioration and wrecks the near-finalized plans for the creation of one Dutch Centre for Biodiversity [NCB].

What can you do? Please sign the petition at www.SaveHerbariumU.nl and ask your friends and colleagues to do the same.

Freek Vrugtman, Curator Emeritus
Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Related link: http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/

Scientists have sequenced the genome of a genetically modified (GM) papaya, a step that could benefit both cultivation of the fruit and the understanding of fruit tree genomics.

As the first GM virus-resistant fruit tree to be sequenced, the researchers also hope it will further the understanding of GM genomes and the effects of inserted genes.

Led by Wang Lei at China-based Nankai University and Ray Ming from the US-based University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, researchers from 22 US and Chinese institutions published the draft genome in Nature (24 April, 2008).

Rich in provitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and fibre, papaya is one of the most nutritious cultivated fruits. It is grown across the globe’s tropical regions and recommended for preventing vitamin A deficiency in children.

The researchers sequenced over 90 per cent of papaya’s genome. They found that it has significantly fewer genes than other sequenced flowering plants, and that the plant has not experienced major genetic change across its genome in the last 72 million years. When compared with other flowering plants, the researchers also found genetic changes associated with enhanced fruit production, adaptation to tropical day lengths and attracting seed dispersal agents such as animals. The ‘SunUp’ papaya used by the scientists contains randomly inserted genes to give it immunity to the papaya ringspot virus, which reduces papaya yields and fruit quality.

“When targeted insertion becomes possible, the draft genome sequence will certainly provide guidance to the targeting sites,” Ming told.

Lai Zhongxiong, director of the Institute of Subtropical Fruits at Fujian University of Agriculture and Forestry, welcomes the study, saying it could offer information on cultivating papaya varieties with diversified traits such as higher yields and tolerance in extreme environments.

“More importantly, so far most genetic insertions in GM plant breeding take place randomly. The method used in this study may help researchers better understand the role of the inserted genes in the GM crops, easing safety concerns on them,” Lai told.

The draft genome sequence has been added to the GenBank database and is freely available to researchers worldwide.

See www.nature.com

Acta Horticulturae 766; XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Ornamentals, Now! (ISBN 978-90-66051-56-0 ), Acta Horticulturae 767; XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Sustainability through Integrated and Organic Horticulture (ISBN 978-90-66051-77-5 ); Acta Horticulturae 783 II International Conference on Trufgrass Science and Management for Sports Fields (ISBN 978-90-66051-08-9 ) and Acta Horticulturae 784; II Iberian Congress on Chestnut (ISBN 978-90-66052-20-8 ) have just been released.

For further details, orders and article downloads go to www.actahort.org

When researchers started trials for apple growing in the highlands of western Uganda in 2003, many local farmers refused to take them seriously. The farmers believed that apples could only thrive in countries with cold climates. Today, researchers at the Kachwekano Agricultural Research and Development Centre in Kabale (Uganda) have proved beyond doubt that apple trees can do well in Uganda. The climate in these highlands, which are close to the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and stand at 2,100 m above sea level, has also proved suitable for growing plums and pears.

Agricultural researcher Gard Turyamureeba says Ugandan apple growers have an advantage over fruit farmers in Europe or South Africa: their proximity to the equator means they can produce two crops per year instead of one. “The apples have proved the tastiest fruits around. They are also juicier compared to the ones we import,” he said.

Uganda’s apples command higher prices than tropical fruits such as pineapples and passion fruit. To date, more than 1,000 farmers have started growing apples to supply the domestic market as well as the neighbouring countries of Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Charles Rutaro, chairman of the Kabale District Farmers’ Association, says the number of new farmers taking up apple growing is overwhelming. Presently, apple seedlings are imported from Germany and South Africa. But a number of challenges threaten this flourishing new sector. Birds and thieves are giving many farmers sleepless nights.

Wild or cultivated, tropical mushrooms have a commercial potential that is only now starting to receive the attention it deserves. Quick and inexpensive to produce, mushrooms can provide a significant source of extra income for rural dwellers, especially women and young people.

Wild edible mushrooms are part of the culinary tradition of many rural communities, who know how to recognise them and appreciate their flavour. Many Haitians living abroad would do anything for a plate of black rice with djondjon (Psathyrella), a mushroom that only grows in that country.

Wild mushrooms are non-timber forest products (NTFP) and have rich nutritional properties as well as considerable commercial potential. Neither vegetable nor animal, these strange organisms belong to the fungus family and are small protein powerhouses. They also contain mineral salts and vitamins and, due to their low lipid content, they are recommended for people with high cholesterol levels. Mushrooms provide a seasonal contribution to the food security of rural communities, especially in East Africa. But they are also much sought after for their unmistakeable taste, which can transform the flavour of a dish or a sauce, a factor that sometimes elevates them to the status of luxury products.

In many central and southern African countries, the harvesting and sale of wild mushrooms at market is a significant source of revenue for rural communities, especially in areas where forestry conservation rules ban or restrict the use of timber. Harvesting is generally carried out by women and children, who sell the product at roadside stalls.

Adding value to local species
In the past decade, a number of projects have been launched to promote wild mushrooms, especially in Benin, Malawi and Tanzania. The first task is to clearly identify local species, which are often only known by their vernacular names, and to study how they are consumed and the local, regional and international markets for them. Opportunities exist, including export openings. Zimbabwe, where boletus (Boletus edulis) are neither highly prized nor widely consumed, exports these mushrooms to Italy via companies based in South Africa. A 2002 study carried out in Haiti put the export value of dried djondjon at US$6 million (€3.8 million). In the Pacific region, wild species appear to be fewer or poorly documented. An inventory published in 2006 makes only passing reference to Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

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Inadequate production levels, oil price hikes and a new fad for biofuels are making food costs soar. The trend spells disaster for the poorest consumers, but offers opportunities for farmers in the South.

Cars pelted with stones, tyres burned, petrol stations looted: Bobo Dioulasso, a major town in western Burkina Faso, had never seen such displays of violence and vandalism. On 20 February 2008, a demonstration against the high cost of living - the price of some products having risen by 65% in January - got out of hand. Food riots are becoming more and more frequent in Cameroon, Guinea and Senegal, as well as in other countries, such as Morocco and Yemen.

In the North as in the South, shopping for food is becoming more expensive with each day that passes, especially in places where most food products have to be imported, such as the Caribbean islands. The poorest people are finding it increasingly difficult to feed themselves. In Haiti, 6 out of every 10 people do not have enough to eat and some calm their hunger pangs with biscuits made of clay. The rising cost of food aid, now forcing some donors to restrict the volume, is compounding the problem.

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Asparagus plants that retain sufficient sugars in their roots after harvesting survive the harvest better and are more productive in the next season. By contrast, when asparagus plants are cut too long, the sugar level is depleted and the quality declines. In the middle of the Dutch asparagus region, the Wageningen UR station in Vredepeel (Netherlands) is working on a computer programme to advise Dutch asparagus growers on the best possible moment to stop harvesting.

Starting asparagus harvesting as early as possible is one thing, but it is quite another to reliably stop harvesting at the most opportune moment.

Asparagus are basically stems that are still under the soil, without any leaves above. This is why growing asparagus stems costs the plant such an enormous amount of energy. Plants have to store that energy in their roots during the previous year, which is why growers cannot just continue harvesting the stems. Cutting too long means that there will be insufficient energy left in the roots to obtain enough stems above the ground. These stems grow needles (the leaves) that the asparagus plant uses to create sugars, which are then stored in the roots to be used during the next season.

The traditional saying that asparagus should not be cut after 24 June, Saint John’s Day, no longer applies. Growers are able to start harvesting much earlier in the year than was previously the case. This is made possible, for example, by using the residual heat of an energy unit to heat the soil. What has not changed, however, is the need to stop cutting at the right time. Farmers aim to stop at the optimal moment: not too late and not too soon.

The sugar level of the roots is therefore a key factor in the vitality of these plants. Unfortunately, the sugar level as an absolute value is an insufficient indicator of when to stop cutting. The main indicator is the reduction in sugar levels, which is why Wageningen UR is partnering with the Geisenheim Research Station in Germany to develop a computer programme that will assist Dutch asparagus growers in determining the precise moment to stop cutting. The growers regularly measure the sugar level of the roots with a simple device, which does not take much time. Based on the results, the computer programme gives advice on when to stop cutting asparagus.

The computer programme is called Aspire and will be tested on ten Dutch asparagus farms during the 2008 season. The researchers expect that this pilot will offer a sufficient basis for widespread use in the 2009 season.

University of Massachusetts Amherst (United States of America) Prof. Dr. Lyle Craker, former chairperson of the ISHS Commission on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and current Chairperson of the ISHS Working Group Culture of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants may be taking the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to court if his appeal to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes is denied.

Lyle Craker, Professor of Plant Science at UMass Amherst, was denied his petition to acquire a license to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes in 2006 after submitting his request to the DEA in 2001.

Although the DEA Chief Administrator initially ruled against the license, a separate administrative judge within the DEA ruled in favor, leaving Craker and his horticultural team at UMass Amherst waiting for the final verdict, which could take another eighteen months. Even if the ruling is disappointing, though, Craker said he’s determined to take the case to court.

“If the DEA administrator denies this, then we can go to court outside the DEA and then the DEA has to follow the court ruling,” he said. “The court makes their own decisions, so I don’t know if I’ll be denied. Who knows, this is ultimately a political decision.”

This would not only be a political, but a controversial and a precedential decision for the advancement of marijuana research if the court rules in Craker’s favor. Despite persistent outcries from scientists and citizens suffering from AIDS, glaucoma and other illnesses who could potentially benefit from medicinal marijuana, the federal government has maintained its chokehold on the monopoly of medicinal marijuana research.

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The Chair of the ISHS Commission Plant Substrates and Soilless Culture proudly announces the creation of two new Working Groups:

1. Working Group Ornamentals in Substrates and Soilless Culture (PS4): Chairperson Dr. Dora Chimonidou-Pavlidou
2. Working Group Indoor Plants in Hydroponics (PS6): Chairperson Dr. Mallick Rahman

For more details see www.ishs.org/science/