How cotton farming can promote biodiversity

While many industrialized nations are threatened by massive insect die-offs, the quiet revolution of biodiversity is taking place on many U.S. cotton farms. More environmentally sound whole-farm practices are promoting the coexistence of plants, animals and microorganisms above and below ground. This biodiverse development benefits the environment and agriculture alike.

A whole-farm approach to cotton agriculture views biodiversity and cotton production in an integrated way, rather than as mutually exclusive or even competing areas. The networked approach also focuses on a previously unknown and therefore speculative added value. Sledge Taylor, a cotton grower in Mississippi, puts it this way: "The biological processes behind agriculture and biodiversity are highly complex. There are many things we don't even understand yet, but we know that more biodiversity in cotton production is more sustainable and therefore more value-added for us." In this context, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol (cf. here), which checks farms with regard to ecological and resource-conserving farming, among other things. In this way, players along the entire textile value chain can access verifiable data regarding the sustainability of their products.

Leaving the natural soil texture intact

In addition to setting aside land to promote natural habitats, U.S. cotton farmers are increasingly using minimum and no-till systems and cover crops. Minimum-till and no-till systems improve soil structure by leaving soils intact. Not turning the soil also improves its carbon storage, which helps farmers reduce the greenhouse gas impact of growing cotton. Combined with minimum and no-till tillage, the use of cover crops also helps sequester up to twice as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Growing ground cover plants also reduces the use of resources. For example, ground covers reduce soil evaporation by providing shade, which not only means less artificial irrigation, but also less soil erosion. "We see the difference in summer heat between areas with and without ground covers. Areas with ground covers are much cooler and retain more moisture," says a Louisiana cotton farmer.

The roots of ground covers like radishes help break up compacted soil. Not least by providing ample shade and food for earthworms, which loosen and aerate the soil. This, in turn, allows for better water absorption and less runoff. Cover crops provide a natural barrier to harmful insects, weeds and diseases. They also reduce the need for crop protection products.

Reduction of pesticides through concentrated local use

The whole-farm approach keeps the amount of pesticides to a minimum. In the process, U.S. cotton farmers have learned not only how cover crops help control pests, but also that cotton plants tolerate certain pests over a period of time. Farmers carefully manage when and how to protect their crops from pests. They identify and track the presence of pests affecting their crops and focus on prevention. In doing so, farmers use pesticides only as a last resort.

The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) allows growers to identify exactly those areas where intervention is needed and to understand the specific needs of the plants in those areas. Instead of an entire field, only the affected area identified by the NDVI is treated in a very localized operational application. "We're talking about a few dozen grams per 4,000 square feet," explains Marshall Hardwick, Louisiana farmer. The reduced pesticide use has the advantage that this so-called local spot application has minimal impact on the farm's biodiversity, helping to preserve it. The concept also makes economic sense, as a few liters of pesticide can cost thousands of dollars.

Every farmer's needs are different. Increasing biodiversity on U.S. cotton farms can therefore only come about through dialogue, not patent solutions. Organizations like Quail Forever and Pheasant Forever work hand-in-hand with farmers to help them develop programs tailored to their specific needs. Often, it's easy to convince farmers that improving biodiversity won't add costs to their operations.

Profitable in many respects

Biodiverse agriculture has proven to be very productive in many ways. Mark McConnell, an upland bird lecturer at Mississippi State University, reports one example where planting an additional four percent of habitat field edges resulted in a 23 percent increase in the wild quail population. Local people have also spotted Canada geese, which are not normally found this far south.

The aspect of biodiversity as an additional yield of agriculture is motivating more and more U.S. cotton farmers to adopt a holistic approach, also with a view to future generations. The economic benefits are numerous, because while valuable resources and financial resources are saved by reducing irrigation or pesticides, productivity increases at the same time. Finally, biodiversity measures ensure higher soil health in the long term and subsequently a solid harvest.

Notice: NABU study here

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