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Re: Plant nutrition -> Humus, Biological Farming

> > >Plant roots absorb massive organic molecules directly into the plant, 
> > >not just ions.
> > 
> > Do you have a reference to support this claim? I don't believe plants can
> > "absorb massive organic molecules". Maybe I was sleeping in botany class
> > that day.
> >     tracy
> 
> Tracy..
> Plants do not do this.. the orginal poster is wrong

Oh ye intellectuals of little faith! 

My source of information on this topic is Dr. Bargyla 
Rateaver of San Diego, CA.  Rateaver has published 
extensively on organic farming topics.  

Some of her references to absorption of large molecules
were published in the Acres, U.S.A. magazine.  Her 
point is that ion absorption is not the only process. 

In her book, "The Organic Method Primer:  Update Special
Edition", which had a special run of 2,000 copies, contains
596 pages, and costs about $135, Rateaver includes a 
section that addresses this topic.  

Included in this section are scanning electron micrographs
that show endocytosis/exocytosis.  The source of micrographs
include USDA-ARS and the Univ. of Saskatchewan.  

Illustrations and photos were also obtained from: 
"Biology of Plants", 5th ed, by Peter Raven, et al.,
1992, Worth Publishers, New York, NY.  

Thus, if you need more data, here is a starting point. 

My views on this matter focus on the role of biological
farming practices (crop rotations, green manuring,
composting...with rock minerals viewed as a supplement
rather than a staring point) on humus formation and rhizoshpere 
influences.  This view, that humus and soil health in
general is the foundation of farming, and not bagged N-P-K 
combined with a dependence on biocides, is an old view expounded 
upon by Sir Albert Howard and Lady Eve Balfour.  In modern times, 
it has been borne out to be true by numerous farmers and scientists.  

As an interesting aside to this discussion, the aerial counterpart
to the rhizosphere, known as the phyllosphere, is where biological 
farming practices like foliar feeding of seaweed, fish, hydrogen 
peroxide, cinnamon, baking powder, etc, as well as the 
specialized practice of foliar applications of compost watery 
extracts, play an important role in plant health, disease control, 
and insect control.   

Cinnamon?  This was worked out by a radionics specialist to
be an effective foliar feed for control of aphids.  The 
source of this data is Dr. Arden Anderson, biophysicist and
alternative agricultural consultant, at the Radionics
Seminar hosted by Nitron Industries, Fayetteville, AR, June
1993. 
 
Steve Diver
Fayetteville, AR

P.S.  The Rateavers publish a series of reprints from 
      classic organic literature, much from Europe.
      For a list in the Conservation Farming and Gardening
      Series, contact:

      The Rateavers
      9049 Covina Street
      San Diego, CA  92126