Yet most plants that have been genetically modified contain genes from related plant species or some of their natural microbial neighbours.

ECONOMIST: In defence of the demon seed

Increases in biomass total vegetative matter are matched almost proportionately by increases in transpiration, unless humidity or nutrients are changed or the plant is modified genetically.

ECONOMIST: But the science of yields is unyielding

This means no artificial fertilizers, chemical pesticides, herbicides, plant growth regulators or genetically modified organisms.

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Genetically modified crops have great potential to improve plant and human health.

ECONOMIST: In defence of the demon seed

But, more significantly, the genetically modified varieties tended to do worse than those produced by traditional methods of plant breeding.

ECONOMIST: GM crop plants are less weed-like than weedy

The sweet potato is sub-Saharan Africa's first genetically modified crop, and its yields so far are double that of the regular plant.

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