🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <3535C9E6.2356@not-for-mail.nerc-swindon.ac.uk>, Pete Lucas
<URL:mailto:pjml@not-for-mail.nerc-swindon.ac.uk> wrote:
> Christopher Allen Schultz wrote:
> > 
> > It is true that the nutrients are the same, but let me give an analogy for
> > what you are saying.  Inorganic fertillizers are dissolved in water,
> > applied as water soluble solids or applied as gasses (ammonia injection),
> > take a sieve add which ever inorganic nutrient source you wish and then
> > add water.  Is there any fertillizer in your sieve?  That water on your
> > shoes is called Groundwater, in some places groundwater pollution is a
> > major problem.  Now take the same sieve add manure or compost and pour
> > water through it.  This water is not cleaner, but contains less
> > nutrients, plants are very good at abstracting nutrients from organic
> > sources! Plants will preferencially abstract nutrients from the soil
> > organics over the inorganic sources for a number of reasons,
> 
> Huuh? The nutrients have to be in solution before the plant
> can do its' uptake; and how is the plant going to distinguish
> between, say, a phosphate molecule from an "organic" or an
> "inorganic" source at this point?  After all, the chemical 
> structure of a given molecule is constant.
> 

Very clever systems these plants. I understand they are presently
considering genetically altering humans so they can intake nutrients
through their feet; a quick trot through park, fields or woodlands
would replace a three course nosh-up. 


-- 

brooke@parkroad.u-net.com