 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SmartGrow uses hair to grow food
Florida City, Fla. (UPI) Dec 23, 2007 A new product marketed as SmartGrow uses human hair imported from China and India to help in people with their horticultural efforts. Tropical Research and Education Center researchers at the University of Florida said the new horticultural product has been proven to be a useful alternative to herbicides, but still surprises most people who learn about it, The Miami Herald reported Sunday. "For people who say, `Oh my God, this is hair' and think it's disgusting, they should know these farmers put manure on tomatoes like it's going out of style,'' researcher Aaron Palmateer said. The imported human hair is used to create mats that can help cover plants' roots, keeping them warm and protected from environmental factors. Palmateer said the mats help increase crop yields and plant growth, but the exact reason why is still being investigated. The SmartGrow mats were even used this year by environmental activists during the San Francisco Bay oil spill, the Herald reported. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology
Jekyll And Hyde Bacteria Offer Pest Control Hope
York, UK (SPX) Dec 20, 2007New research at York has revealed so-called 'Jekyll and Hyde' bacteria, suggesting a novel way to control insect pests without using insecticides. Researchers at the University of York studied the relationship between plant-dwelling insects and the bacteria that live in them - and discovered an unexpected interaction. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
