VOA慢速英语:研究人员寻找非传统的方式来消灭杂草
Hello and welcome to As It Is. I’m Jonathan Evans inWashington.
On our program today, we have two reports onagriculture. A new program in the state of Maryland ishelping first-time farmers start their businesses. We will tell you more about the program later in the show. But first, our agriculture reporter Milagros Ardin tellsabout how researchers are finding new ways to fightweeds.
Researchers Look for Non-Traditional Ways to Fight Weeds
Too much use of an important chemical can fuel thespread of new weeds. Some weeds are strong enoughto resist weed-killing products, also known as herbicides. But researchersare finding natural ways to deal with unwanted plants.
During the harvest at the United States Department of Agriculture’s researchstation, just north of Washington, DC, scientist Steven Mirsky walks through afield of dry corn in search of enemies.
The sight of some of those enemies causes him to cry out, “Look at the sizeof these pigweed plants right here.”
The plants are more than two meters tall. They have taken water, nutrientsand light from nearby crops. Pigweed can quickly get out of control. Eachplant can produce up to 500 thousand seeds.
Many farmers control pigweed and other problem plants by growinggenetically modified crops. Such crops do not react to the effects of a weed-killing product called Roundup. Farmers can treat their fields with Roundupand kill the weeds. But the chemical does not harm the crop.
Steven Mirsky, however, notes that some crops may be resisting thetreatment.
“That system works and it works well. But the repeated application ((use ofherbicide)) has the potential to cause resistance. We’re certainly seeingresistance on the rise throughout the country.”
He says cotton growers in the southeastern US have pigweed that resistsRoundup.
Steven Mirsky and others are studying another possibility: controlling weedswith plants instead of chemical products. In autumn, they cover the groundwith what farmers call a “cover crop”, like rye. Through the spring, they let itgrow until reaches a height of nearly two meters. But they do not harvest it. Instead, they roll it flat.
“We can kill this of crop without using any chemicals. And we can get a nice,sweet suppressive mulch.”
He separates several centimeters of plant material to get to the cool earth.
“And by keeping the ground cooler, it also inhibits the germination of weeds.”
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Researchers are finding natural ways to deal with unwanted weeds. |
A machine cuts through the protective mat to plant the crop. It grows throughthe summer.
Steven Mirsky says rolling cover crops do more than just fight weeds. Theplants pushed down in the spring break up and become rich soil. That meansbetter harvests in the fall.
Farmers across the country like the idea. Mr. Mirsky says it could greatlyincrease production of organic crops grown without the use of herbicides.
He says the method will not work everywhere. But where it succeeds, it offersfarmers a new tool to crush an old enemy.
And that’s the Agriculture Report from VOA Learning English. I’m MilagrosArdin.
And I’m Jonathan Evans. You are listening to As It Is from VOA LearningEnglish.
The United States is one of the world’s leading agricultural powers. But fewAmericans are farmers. Agriculture reporter Bob Doughty tells us howMaryland is helping new farmers.
Government Program in Maryland Helps New Farmers
One recent study showed just two percent of the population with a job inagriculture. Yet small farms seem to be appearing in many areas to meeta growing demand for locally produced food.The people operating these farmsoften have little or no experience in farming.
Mark Mills once worked as a pastry chef. He decided to leave his secure joband turn to farming. He says his decision was based on two things: a stronginterest in agriculture and his ignorance about what it takes to be a farmer. Mark Mills was a history major in college. All he knows about producing foodcomes from growing plants in his home garden and 26 years of working inrestaurants. So why did he become a farmer?
“Well, it’s beautiful. Why wouldn’t you want to come to work here? I’m myown boss. But really, it’s my love of food.”
In recent years, many Americans have developed a taste for fresh, locallygrown fruits and vegetables. The number of farmer's markets has increasedover 50 percent in the past 10 years.
Federal, state and local governments believe now is the time to create jobsand new businesses. Mark Mills was one of four people accepted in the NewFarmer Pilot Project in Montgomery County, Maryland. Sarah Miller workswith the local Department of Economic Development. She says the programhas worked better than many people expected.
“Boy, we didn’t even know how many we would get. We thought maybe one ortwo would be great. But I don’t think that we expected four.”
The project provides the new farmers with specialized business training, likemarketing and business planning.
“Well, they provided the connection with the landowner, so I could actuallyhave the land to farm on, which is key… Then, certainly, they provided thefinancing for the deer fence and the irrigation, some basic things to get going.”
The program links the new farmer with an experienced one. For Mark Mills, that person is Woody Woodroof. He works at the Red Wiggler Farm inMaryland.
“The big thing to work with him on now is season extension: helping him to dothe things that will allow him to harvest crops deeper into the fall and earlywinter.”
Mr. Mills' first year in farming was successful. He produced about 450kilograms of turnips, 90 kilograms of carrots, and 130 kilograms of green,leafy vegetables. The hardest part was not growing the crops, he says. Theproblem has been selling them.
Mr. Mills says his farm probably lost more money than it earned. Luckily, hiswife has a non-farm job and can provide financial support, at least for now.
Experts say many new farmers need to support themselves with anothersource of income.
I’m Bob Doughty.
And that’s our program for today. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for anotheredition of As It Is. I’m Jonathan Evans. Thank you for listening.
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