I am under the impression that monocropping and not specifically GMOmonocropping is responsible for agricultures threat to the environment. My impression is that land management practices such as beneficial insect attractors, crop biodiversity and erosion control are the key to eliminating reliance on the fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides that do so much damage to the environment. Can you comment on whether this view is supported by scientific consensus?

Expert response from Stephen Moose

Professor of Plant Functional Genomics, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois

Friday, 01/08/2014 10:53

Your question reflects a common view that “monocropping” and the use of agrichemicals damage the environment, and that alternative diversified cropping systems can reduce these threats. This is clearly an over simplification of the reality, as all agricultural production systems are complex and balance a number of trade-offs between economic productivity and environmental sustainability.
 
Very few agricultural systems are true “monocrops,” except for perhaps at scale of individual fields, due to common use of crop rotations. Studies that document the relative environmental damage and benefits of specific agricultural practices can be difficult, but there is a general consensus among scientists that practices which enhance attraction of beneficial insects, add diversity and limit erosion are better.
 
However, it is important to point out that careful use of fertilizers and pesticides are proven strategies to increase yield and soil quality. A great example of this is herbicide-tolerant soybean, which enables highly efficient weed control with one application of low amounts of herbicide per season, leading to a much greater use of no-till practices that reduce soil erosion and energy use, which means fewer tractor trips through the field).

Expert response from Stephen Moose

Professor of Plant Functional Genomics, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois

Friday, 01/08/2014 10:53

Your question reflects a common view that “monocropping” and the use of agrichemicals damage the environment, and that alternative diversified cropping systems can reduce these threats. This is clearly an over simplification of the reality, as all agricultural production systems are complex and balance a number of trade-offs between economic productivity and environmental sustainability.
 
Very few agricultural systems are true “monocrops,” except for perhaps at scale of individual fields, due to common use of crop rotations. Studies that document the relative environmental damage and benefits of specific agricultural practices can be difficult, but there is a general consensus among scientists that practices which enhance attraction of beneficial insects, add diversity and limit erosion are better.
 
However, it is important to point out that careful use of fertilizers and pesticides are proven strategies to increase yield and soil quality. A great example of this is herbicide-tolerant soybean, which enables highly efficient weed control with one application of low amounts of herbicide per season, leading to a much greater use of no-till practices that reduce soil erosion and energy use, which means fewer tractor trips through the field).