Dr. Maurice Snook speaks to students about plants' natural defenses
by LIAT FAVER
Issue date: 9/14/09 Section: Features
Do you ever feel the need to scrub your vegetables with soap that would take the paint off a car?
Have you noticed the powdery feeling on the surface of a tomato or the sliminess on the skins of other vegetables?
I envision the crop duster bearing down on Cary Grant in Hitchcock's North by Northwest.
Cary escaped, but what can the rest of us do to free ourselves from the harsh chemicals used to keep insects from eating our precious vittles? The USDA is working on it.
Friday, Dr. Maurice Snook, a research chemist employed by the Department of Agriculture, addressed these issues in the first of a series of informative seminars presented by the Department of Natural Sciences and Quality Enhancement Program.
Dr. Snook studies the chemical relationships of insect critters and the plants they devour.
Snook says that many plants have natural defenses against insects and disease.
He showed how the USDA is developing plants with an abundance of these resistant chemicals, able to fend for themselves against predators such as worms and fungi; even other plants.
Through a series of slides, Snook provided evidence of the challenges facing farmers and demonstrated the efficiency of chemical and genetic treatments.
Almost every plant species has been researched to develop natural resistance and enhance adaptability to soil conditions.
Snook says that these pest-resistant plants present no threat to the environment or its inhabitants.
The USDA employs entomologists, plant agronomists, physiologists, geneticists, pathologists and chemists to assist the agrarian community in efforts to reduce crop losses and improve plant production safely and effectively.
The seminar series will continue with three more presentations about environmental issues in the coming weeks.
All seminars will be held at 2:30 p.m. in Stewart Auditorium on the Demorest campus.
Have you noticed the powdery feeling on the surface of a tomato or the sliminess on the skins of other vegetables?
I envision the crop duster bearing down on Cary Grant in Hitchcock's North by Northwest.
Cary escaped, but what can the rest of us do to free ourselves from the harsh chemicals used to keep insects from eating our precious vittles? The USDA is working on it.
Friday, Dr. Maurice Snook, a research chemist employed by the Department of Agriculture, addressed these issues in the first of a series of informative seminars presented by the Department of Natural Sciences and Quality Enhancement Program.
Dr. Snook studies the chemical relationships of insect critters and the plants they devour.
Snook says that many plants have natural defenses against insects and disease.
He showed how the USDA is developing plants with an abundance of these resistant chemicals, able to fend for themselves against predators such as worms and fungi; even other plants.
Through a series of slides, Snook provided evidence of the challenges facing farmers and demonstrated the efficiency of chemical and genetic treatments.
Almost every plant species has been researched to develop natural resistance and enhance adaptability to soil conditions.
Snook says that these pest-resistant plants present no threat to the environment or its inhabitants.
The USDA employs entomologists, plant agronomists, physiologists, geneticists, pathologists and chemists to assist the agrarian community in efforts to reduce crop losses and improve plant production safely and effectively.
The seminar series will continue with three more presentations about environmental issues in the coming weeks.
All seminars will be held at 2:30 p.m. in Stewart Auditorium on the Demorest campus.
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