Plant biotechnology is reducing greenhouse gas emissions






(NC) -- Did you know that innovations in plant biotechnology and pesticides have contributed significantly to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural practices? In fact, in 2008, biotech crops facilitated a 15.6 billion kilogram reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

Biotech crops play an important role in the way farmers manage their land by supporting conservation tillage, which means that they don't have to disturb the soil nearly as often. And, conservation tillage helps to reduce fuel use from less frequent pesticide applications, and reduce the energy used in soil cultivation, which helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions all while improving soil health.

Did you know that in 2007 alone, Canadian farmers who grew biotech canola were able to reduce emissions equal to removing 781,000 cars from the roads for a whole year?

Researchers are also working on new crop varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency. This will reduce the need for added fertilizer and further reduce emissions.


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