Our #seedvarieties have drastically dwindled in the 80 years between 1903 and 1983, as evidenced recently published by National Geographic. A comparison of seeds offered in comercial #seed houses from 1903 to the seeds offered in the National Seed Storage Laboratory in 1983 (now renamed National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation) showed that about 93 percent of seeds had been lost in 80 years. For example, 544 varieties of #cabbage shrank to just 28 cabbage varieties; 463 different kinds of #radishes reduced to 27 varieties. Despite these drastic reductions, varied seed stock may be even more dire. Thirty-two years have passed since this data was produced, and during that time genetically modified organisms have been adopted on a large scale. "More up-to-date studies are needed," National Geographic concludes. In 1903, we had almost 500 varieties of #lettuce. By 1983, we had just 36. Radishes, peas, and beets have fared no better. In fact, the most steadfast of the crops has been the #tomato, which, probably due to the popularity of strange and tasty heirloom varieties, only lost about 80% of its #seeddiversity. It’s a shame to lose so many intricacies of nature’s tastiest gifts. But more worryingly, #monocultures strip the land of nutrients: Where you once had self-sustaining #harvestcycles, you get farm land denuded of nutrients that then needs copious chemical fertilizers to grow more food. And the #crops themselves become vulnerable to #plant diseases. That’s why here we only go for #heirloomseeds and, the rarest, the better. We know it’s a drop in the ocean but what is the ocean if not an enzillion drops together? #doingourpart #saveyourseeds #heirloomseedsavers (at Carmel Valley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcAN1KGrwqR/?utm_medium=tumblr
