CONTENTS
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5
1 THE POWER OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
11
Progress through biological knowledge
15
Contents
Benefits for the environment, farmer and consumer
18
FOREWORD
2 NATURAL CROP PROTECTION
21
2.4 million tonnes of pesticides
22
Potato cultivation under attack
26
The wild potato comes to the rescue
29
A healthy and tasty potato
32
A natural insecticide
34
Insect-resistant plants protect themselves
37
Aphid-resistant wheat
41
Virus-resistant fruit and vegetables
44
Papaya and plum
47
3 AGRICULTURE IS MORE THAN JUST FOOD
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To clothe the naked
52
Plants as a source of renewable energy
57
Energetic trees
60
Green plastic and greener paper
63
4 AND THE FARMER TILLED NO MORE‌ No-till farming There are herbicides and then there are herbicides
67 69 71
The perfect match for the no-till farmer
74
A nice ecological benefit
76
Victims of their own success
77