> Also what it says about sustainable agricultural practices is 
> interesting. The researchers probably understand this, but I 
> doubt the environmental groups that will latch on to this 
> study do... Organic farming methods actually release far more 
> aerosols into the air than conventional methods as organic 
> farming tends to be highly reliant on the very destructive 
> practice of tilling soil to keep pests and weeds under 
> control, releasing lots of dust into the air.


I don't know what most organic farmers do, but what we do is simply cut the
weeds and let them fall on the ground around the crop plants along with the
mulch we spread. The result is a "mat" of dead weeds that other weeds can
not grow through. This mat is NEVER disturbed except to make a small hole
for the planting of the next crop. Over time, it decomposes and releases the
nutrients in the weeds, etc.. back into the soil, in effect becoming
fertilizer. Additional fertilizers are added to the top under a new layer of
mulch and slowly defuse into the soil. We also "water from the bottom" using
ollas once the new crop plants are established so there is no water at the
surface for weeds to drink.

Google for "no-till gardening" or "lazy gardening" or "green manure" for
just read:
http://techref.massmind.org/techref/other/gardens.htm

We spend almost no time on it. I have no idea why farmers make things so
difficult.

---
James.
 

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