"The devastation of our nature by pesticides - in this case the autumn destruction of undergrowth and other plants (yes, often weeds) by total herbicides, most often glyphosate/Roundup, continues. And it is probably the most unnecessary application of herbicides. The photos are from the weekend in Polabie. The green strip of "no application" is along the watercourse. There has to be a strip of unsprayed crops 5m from the watercourse for 2 years. Fortunately, at least something.
To start positively - it seems to me that this practice is diminishing a little. Maybe because it costs money after all, and very often this is ploughed over, which should be enough for undergrowth and weeds. Maybe some farmers have also realised that it is probably not the best practice because, amongst other things, it selects for herbicide resistant weeds very quickly. There are already nearly 100 glyphosate-resistant species in the world! I've written many times about the eradicated edaphon (soil microorganisms), destroyed cover and food for insects, birds or rabbits, it still applies. The tragic decline in the biodiversity of the agricultural landscape is due, among other things, to these operations.
I am now working with colleagues on a draft Landscape Policy, specifically leading a group on agricultural landscapes. A ban on autumn desiccation, we will certainly propose!"
Taken from Jakub Hruška's Facebook profile.
