Cathy Czapla is rightly concerned in her efforts to inform about the
threat of shrinking plant diversity. For those of you not acquainted
with this problem, it's pretty simple. Plant breeders (mostly U.S. and
European) have been working for years on so-called "improved" (usually
hybrid) varieties of various crops. The problem with these efforts is
twofold. First, they tend to dip into the same plant gene resources for
many different hybrids of the same type. This can leave all of these
varieties susceptible to the same set of diseases or climactic weakness,
which is impossible in naturally occuring "land races" (a land race is a
sub variety which has been grown long enough in one area to be acclimated
to both climate and disease prevalent in that area). Open pollinated
(non hybrid) varieties have sufficient genetic diversity that it is very
unlikely that all individuals would succumb to a given disease or other
problem, thereby insuring that some would survive, unlike hybrids, which
are all from the same basic genetic mix, and all (within a given variety)
have the same basic characteristics.
The second problem is due to the pressure exerted by the U.S. in it's
attempts to "help" third world nations grow more/better food. Many of
the traditional local varieties (land races often hundreds or even
thousands of years old) have been completely superceded by the newer
hybrids. The problem here is that, first, seed from hybrid plants is not
usually viable (poor quality, sterile, etc.), so these poor farmers must
keep buying seed rather than collecting for next year (they often don't
know this the first year, creating major problems). The second problem
is very serious. I have read of several accounts that pretty much go as
follows: The U.S. convinces a third world farmer to abandon his
traditional (and hardy) crop for a new/improved hybrid. The farmer tries
it - disaster strikes - some disease or climactic condition unforeseen by
the plant breeders. The breeders go back to look for a variety with the
characteristics they need to "improve" the previous hybrid and - low and
behold - that variety is now gone forever - replaced by one of the new
hybrids!
Fortunately, there is something we can do, even on the small scale which
we work on. First, try not to rely too heavily on hybrid varieties. Opt
for some tried and true open pollinated (often called "Heirloom")
varieties. There are many available which are endangered, and by growing
them, we will be keeping these old standby varieties alive. Second, take
the time to learn how to propogate seed from some of these plants - many
are quite easy. By collecting seed from only the healthiest, strongest
plants year after year, you will be breeding your own "land race", and
insuring for yourself a good supply of seed in the years to come.
I am not an expert on this subject, so if anything is in error, please
correct me. Further, if you are interested in obtaining some of these
Heirloom varieties, I know of several places to get them:
Abundant Life Seed Foundation (specializing in heirloom/endangered)
PO Box 772
Port Townsend, WA 98368
PH - (360) 385-5660
Vermont Bean Seed Co. (Lots of old bean varieties, and more)
Garden Lane
Fair Haven, VT 05743
ph - (803) 663-0217
Johnny's Selected Seeds (excellent mix of new and old varieties)
Foss Hill Rd
Albion, ME 04910-9731
ph - (207) 437-4301
Last, but not least, if you do not subscribe to Organic Gardening
magazine, they have a regular column devoted to seed swapping - called
"Seed Savers/Seed Sharers" - lots of stuff offered.
Now, to make this long letter just a little longer - if anyone on OGL
would like to start a seed swap (or you know of somewhere to get heirloom
seed) please let me know, I'm accumulating a pretty good selection of
vegetable seed, and would like to swap for more unusual varieties. If
you're interested, please e-mail me at signman@vermontel.com
Thanks for listening
Todd in Vermont
Thanks, Todd. You said it much better than I could myself.
If anyone should care about diversity of plant life, I figured
it would be organic gardeners.
Cathy
covering my tomatoes tonight
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"My whole life had been spent waiting for an epiphany, a
manifestation of God's presence, the kind of transcendent,
magical experience that lets you see your place in the big
picture. And that is what I had with my first compost heap.
I love compost and believe in it with every fiber (so to
speak) of my being. I believe that composting can save,
not the entire world, but a good portion of it."
Bette Midler in the Los Angeles Times, May 8, 1996.
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