by Josephine Polifroni

Created on: June 08, 2010   Last Updated: June 09, 2010

The practice of monoculture farming; the growing of a single crop on a large area, has increased dramatically worldwide in the last forty years. Monoculture farming became possible because of advances in farm machinery and because of the availability of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Largely because of the demand for ethanol and now High Fructose Corn Syrup, huge fields dedicated to corn are especially prevalent.

In general, monoculture farming represents a break in the natural connections between the land, the weather, rainfall, natural plants, animals, insects and the crop. Every aspect of a monoculture is artificial and must be maintained artificially.

Instead of planting cover crops to replenish nitrogen, planting several crops in case one does not do well, encouraging natural predators for pests or rotating crops, all aspects of a monoculture depend on the application of chemical compounds to increase yield and control problems.

Corn monoculture is extremely fertilizer and pesticide intensive with the greatest application per hectare of any crop. Corn monoculture consumes fully 40% of all commercial fertilizers used in the U.S. It is estimated each acre planted is treated with 138 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer and 58 pounds of phosphorus fertilizer. Studies done by the USDA indicate corn crops require (as of figures from 2005) 157 million pounds of herbicides and 4.8 million pounds of insecticides.

Fertilizers are greatly overused, especially nitrogen fertilizers. Twice as much as necessary is applied, allowing between 40-60% to remain on the ground, eventually leaching into groundwater and/or running off into streams and rivers to make its way to the ocean. Once there, it starts a process of eutrophication.

Excess nutrients cause algal blooms, an overgrowth of plants near the surface of the water. This overgrowth blocks sunlight from the depths and depletes oxygen, killing other plant life, fish and other species. When the algae dies, decomposition consumes even more oxygen. Eventually, the area becomes a dead zone. One such zone exists at the mouth of the Mississippi River and covers approximately 6000-7000 square miles.

The indiscriminate use of artificial fertilizers does not replenish all nutrients taken from the soil from year after year of planting corn. Trace elements are usually replaced by cover crops during rotation or the application of composted materials such as manure and plant matter.

Chemical fertilizers do not contain trace elements.

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