A Pesticide That Doesn't Cut the Mustard

July 27, 2008

More green tech news from Australia: mustard plants and their close relatives don't just clear your nose. They can clear away the bugs, too.

Scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, recently got together with researchers from around the world for the third ever International Biofumigation Symposium in the country's capital. For those who didn't have this in their calendars, biofumigation is a technique for controlling critters in crops using plants that naturally repel them. Mustard plants, which are part of the Brassica species along with rapeseed and radishes, do a fine job.

The man behind the conference, principal research scientist at CSIRO, John Kirkegaard, reported that mustard plants and friends release "hot flavour" compounds that increase some crop yields up to 40 percent when added to the soil. Scientists have known about mustard's potential for a long time, but the group in Australia has been working on improving this natural pesticide's efficiency.

With the Australian research in mind, researchers at Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky have been testing the mustard plant compound's abilities to fend off crop-killing fungus in the Bluegrass State. Their project runs through next year, but some early results have been positive. Perhaps soon we'll be passing the Grey Poupon...to farmers.

Photo: The joy of mustard plants. Credit: Flickr user Lorelei.