History of Agriculture Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July, 2002

In what ways have humans utilized plants? History of Agriculture In what ways have humans utilized plants?

What is the source of almost all energy within the Earth’s system? Source of all energy What is the source of almost all energy within the Earth’s system?

What is the largest problem facing the human race? Problems What is the largest problem facing the human race? Can agriculture solve it?

Most people were botanists before agriculture 75% of the people in developing countries are involved in food production Only 3% in the U.S.

What aspect of the future of agriculture did you find interesting?

How do we solve the problems? Put more land into production? Agriculture How do we solve the problems? Put more land into production?

Agriculture We extensively use only 6 flowering plant species out of an estimated 235,000

How is modern corn different from its supposed nearest relative? Agriculture How is modern corn different from its supposed nearest relative? Why could modern corn theoretically not survive (thrive) without humans?

Other names: goobers, groundnuts Native to: South America Peanut Other names: goobers, groundnuts Native to: South America It is a legume (N fixing plant) after pollination, flower is pushed underground where pod forms 1st evidence of human “use”: peanut shaped jewelry in tomb of priest from 1800-1100 yrs ago

16th century, Spanish explorers brought peanuts back to Europe Traded from Europe to Africa Slave trade brought peanuts to North America

snacks, peanut butter (50% of all peanuts produced) Uses 45-50% oil, 25-30% protein snacks, peanut butter (50% of all peanuts produced) oils:foods, cosmetics, paints industrial products, plastics, soaps remainder fed to animals

who wanted high energy food to feed invalids who had trouble chewing Peanut Peanut Butter developed in 1890 by doctor who wanted high energy food to feed invalids who had trouble chewing rare treat in some parts of world

George Washington Carver son of a slave (1864-1943) Peanut George Washington Carver son of a slave (1864-1943) created 300 uses for peanuts used to reclaim soil depleted by cotton production Peanut information taken from: Plants & Society by Levetin & McMahon, 2nd ed

Agriculture Green Revolution 3 key parts?

Green Revolution 3 key parts Plant breeding Fertilization Irrigation Agriculture Green Revolution 3 key parts Plant breeding Fertilization Irrigation

What are some negative impacts of the Green Revolution? Agriculture What are some negative impacts of the Green Revolution?

What are some negative impacts of the Green Revolution? Agriculture What are some negative impacts of the Green Revolution? Fossil fuel reliance equipment, fertilizers Impact on land holdings and social structures Impact on jobs

Foci of genetic engineering? Agriculture Foci of genetic engineering?

Foci of genetic engineering yield quality resistance to pests Agriculture Foci of genetic engineering yield quality resistance to pests preserving genetic information

Agriculture With advances in industrial synthesis of materials, why do we need to worry about the survival of native plants?

Plants provide blueprints Synthesis is expensive Agriculture New diseases Plants provide blueprints Synthesis is expensive Synthesis is based on fossil fuels