Beneficial Weeds and Farming Contrary to the famous believe that weeds disrupt
Contrary to the famous believe that weeds disrupt the growth of farms, Studies have shown that weeds actually help to make farms more productive. The study proved that having certain types of weeds around the farm help reduce crop losses.
The study shows that due to the ecological niches, the excessive growth of a more invasive species of unwanted plants is inhibited by these weeds. This proves that a certain level of biodiversity is positive for the ecosystem, both natural and man-made.
Some examples of beneficial weeds include white clover and dandelions. Some legumes can help in nitrogen fixation when paired with the correct bacteria. For example, white clover, when paired with Rhizobium bacteria, often add nitrogen to the soil through nitrogen fixation process. This can help farmers reduce the amount of fertilizer that needs to be applied to the soil.
Some weeds have strong widespread roots. These roots introduce nutrients and organic matter to the soil by turning the clay into a more dense and richer soil. Other than that, some weeds become the support for some soft rooted plants. For example, tomatoes can cling on to weeds to allow their weak roots to go deeper into the soil.
This finding and approach can result in excellently if applied on a wide scale. The need for fertilizers and pesticides can be reduced. This would benefit both the farmers and consumers. Farmers tend to save money on fertilizers, while consumers have a chance of enjoying better and healthier food without the usage of pesticides.