Social media polls

May 22, 2019
Land Use & Biodiversity 

Soil

True or False?

There are more microbes in a single teaspoon of soil than there are people on the earth.

 

TRUE

As well as that, there can be up to 50,000 separate species of bacteria in the same spoonful! Soil is one of nature’s most complex ecosystems, so keeping it healthy is vital for protecting biodiversity. Plant science can help facilitate no-till farming, which allows farmers to increase productivity without degrading the soil.

Natural Predators

True or False?

Some insects are natural predators for pests that threaten crops.

TRUE

Farmers can sometimes manage pests by using natural insect predators. In the Philippines, a common mango pest can be controlled by its natural enemy, the yellow nettle lady beetle. Protecting natural habitats helps these insect predators thrive.

Seed Varieties

True or False?

There are over 60,000 varieties of seed.

TRUE

Plant science means scientists can develop seeds with new agronomic traits more efficiently.

Pollinators

True or False?

Bees pollinate nearly 75% of all plant species and are key to protecting plant biodiversity.

FALSE

Bees actually pollinate nearly 90% of plant species! Unfortunately, bees are under increasing threat from varroa mites, but plant scientists have been developing cutting edge technology to help farmers control the mites. 

Rainforests

True or False?

Over the last 30 years, plant science has helped save an area equivalent to half of the Amazon rainforest from cultivation.

FALSE

In fact, an area equivalent to 60% of the Amazon rainforest would have been needed for agriculture if it wasn’t for plant science innovations. Plant science, which allows farmers to grow more with less land, is vital to preserving rainforests, which are biodiverse ecosystems and home to billions of different animals, insects, plants and microorganisms.

 

Fruit Production

True or False?

There are 1000 species of fruits grown around the world.

FALSE

There are in fact 2000 types of fruits being grown today, with many varieties of each fruit; there are 2500 varieties of apples alone!

Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables has been linked to lowering the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. But insects like them as much as we do! Plant science helps farmers protect their crops from pests and get food on our tables.