Showing papers on "Organic farming published in 1994"
TL;DR: By the end of the first 4 years, pH and percent nitrogen were consistently higher in organic and low-input than conventional plots for all crops, and Nitrogen deficiency appeared to be a problem in organic tomatoes during the transition period.
Abstract: Growers converting from conventional to low-input and organic farming systems must rely on organic sources for adequate soil fertility. At the Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems (SAFS) project at UC Davis, we measured soil fertility and biological parameters in four farming systems. By the end of the first 4 years, pH and percent nitrogen were consistently higher in organic and low-input than conventional plots for all crops. Levels of organic matter, phosphorus and potassium were significantly higher in the organic than conventional 2-year plots. Microbial biomass levels were consistently higher in organic and low-input systems, while plant parasitic nematode numbers were consistently lower. Nitrogen deficiency appeared to be a problem in organic tomatoes during the transition period. More research is needed into the dynamics of soil nutrient availability in low-input systems. For instance, we may need to develop new methods of assessing soil fertility in organically fertilized systems.
137 citations
01 Jan 1994
122 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that PM causes shortterm (within a growing season) increases in microbiological activity and nutrient cycling, whereas FYM is more likely to bring about long-term changes.
Abstract: . The presence of spring barley plants increased the numbers of nematodes, particularly of plant-feeders, compared with fallow plots in a Scottish organic farming system. The addition of farmyard manure (FYM) had no detectable effect on nematode populations but poultry manure (PM) caused a considerable increase. The application of PM also altered the types of nematode present and favoured bacterial-feeders and rhabditids in particular. These changes suggest that PM causes shortterm (within a growing season) increases in microbiological activity and nutrient cycling, whereas FYM is more likely to bring about long-term changes.
87 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1994
74 citations
TL;DR: In 1989, a group of researchers, farmers and farm advisors initiated an interdisciplinary study of the transition from conventional to low-input and organic management of a 4-year, five-crop rotation.
Abstract: In 1989, a group of researchers, farmers and farm advisors initiated an interdisciplinary study of the transition from conventional to low-input and organic management of a 4-year, five-crop rotation. Crop yields initially varied among systems, but now appear to be approaching each other after a transition period that included the development of practices and equipment most appropriate for each system. Farming practices and crop production costs are carefully documented to compare the various systems' economic performance and biological risks. Supplying adequate N and managing weeds were challenges for the low-input and organic systems during the first rotation cycle, and experiments are being conducted on an 8-acre companion block to find solutions to these and other problems. Leading conventional and organic growers provide a much-needed farmer perspective on cropping practices and economic interpretations, because we try to provide “best farmer” management of each system. Research groups within the project are focusing on soil microbiology, economics, pest management, agronomy and cover crop management.
72 citations
TL;DR: Cover-crop nitrogen supply and weed management were the most important challenges facing low-input and organic farming systems when compared to conventional systems in the first 4 years of the Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems project at UC Davis.
Abstract: Cover-crop nitrogen supply and weed management were the most important challenges facing low-input and organic farming systems when compared to conventional systems in the first 4 years of the Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems project at UC Davis. Cover-crop timing and management using appropriate equipment were important for the success of transitional systems. The participation of local farmers ensured that optimal agricultural practices were used to manage all farming systems. Researchers regularly consulted grower-cooprators to determine “best farmer practices” of conventional, low-input and organic farming systems.
40 citations
01 Jan 1994
34 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the performance of cereal crops under three different nutrient management systems was investigated. The systems were divided into conventional, integrated, and ecological groups according to the fertilizer/organic manure application ratio and crop rotation.
34 citations
TL;DR: The economic component of the Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems (SAFS) project at UC Davis compared the financial performance of low-input and organic farming systems to conventional systems to show equivalent profits on a whole farm basis without organic price premiums.
Abstract: The economic component of the Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems (SAFS) project at UC Davis compared the financial performance of low-input and organic farming systems to conventional systems All of the systems have been profitable over the first 4 years of the project However, nei- ther the organic nor lo w-input systems have been able to show equivalent profits to either of the conventional systems on a whole farm basis without organic price premiums
26 citations
01 Jan 1994
23 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a field plot study of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. orion) under different organic amendments addition and chemical fertilizer was carried out, where the treatments consisted on no amendment; poultry manure based compost, woollypod vetch (Vicia dasycarpa var. lana), a combination of compost with Lana vetch and ammonium sulphate.
Abstract: Soil nitrogen (N) availability and crop performance of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. orion) were observed in a field plot study under different organic amendments addition and chemical fertilizer. The treatments consisted on no amendment; poultry manure based compost, woollypod vetch (Vicia dasycarpa var. lana), a combination of compost with Lana vetch and ammonium sulphate. For almost all sampling dates, the soils treated with vetch (3.6 Mg/ha) combined with compost (9.0 Mg/ha) showed a good performance in replenishing the inorganic N taken up by plants and soil microbes. High yields were achieved with the combination of vetch and compost and moderately high yields were achieved with vetch only and compost only. Yields appeared to be related to quality and N levels in the amendments, and size of existing soil nitrogen pools susceptible to the priming effect.
TL;DR: The value of organic and low-chemical agriculture has become increasingly apparent to many small and family-scale farmers over the last decade as mentioned in this paper, and for many growers, alternative farm methods appear to combine the best of two worlds -a reliable way to make a living and a responsible way to produce good food.
Abstract: The value of organic and low-chemical agriculture has become increasingly apparent to many small and family-scale farmers over the last decade. Such practices regenerate the soil, reduce environmental pollution, lower production costs, and produce quality foods that can be sold at a premium. Thus, for many growers, alternative farm methods appear to combine the best of two worlds — a reliable way to make a living and a responsible way to produce good food. Yet, bound as they are to the conventional, market-based production paradigm, this reliability and responsibility may be more imagined than real. How can this be? To begin, an exclusive or premium product requires an exclusive or specialized market. One Michigan farmer, for example, chose to advertise his organic beef by claiming that he raised the same cattle in the same manner as those raised for the Queen of England's table. The implication was clear: for a price, we all can eat like queens. While this particular promotional ploy may be extreme, such a marketing strategy is not uncommon. But it offers little sustained opportunity for the smaller alternative producer. With sales dependent on a circumscribed target population, a specialty market can quickly collapse because of a change in vogue, in transportation costs, or in relationships among wholesalers or retailers. Likewise, the necessity of competing with other nontraditional farmers for a market niche and maintaining a competitive edge within it
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present ten compelling reasons for using natural organics as fertilizers: recycling for political and economic reasons, recycling to conserve natural resources, reducing soil acidification, decreasing soil erosion and compaction by increasing levels of soil organic matter, protecting groundwaters from nitrate buildup, protecting surface waters from algal bloom, and improving water-use efficiency.
Abstract: Organic growers traditionally have placed synthetically compounded fertilizers onto the list of products which they ban. Generally, synthetically compounded fertilizers are very simple compounds that supply nutrients to plants. They are not even all inorganic if urea is classed as organic. Synthetically compounded fertilizers are identical with similar compounds found in nature. Plants cannot tell the difference. There are, however, at least ten compelling reasons for using natural organics as fertilizers: (a) Recycling for political and economic reasons, (b) Recycling to conserve natural resources, (c) To decrease soil acidification, (d) To decrease soil erosion and compaction by increasing levels of soil organic matter, (e) To protect groundwaters from nitrate buildup, (f) To protect surface waters from algal bloom, (g) To help have a favorable soil biology, (h) To help improve water‐use efficiency, (i) Some synthetically compounded fertilizers are dangerous to produce, and (j) “Organic” certif...
01 Jan 1994
TL;DR: The Rudolec Declaration as discussed by the authors was the first high-level policy conference on organic farming ever held and was attended by 60 participants from more than 20 countries and international organisations, including 5 Ministers and 10 vice-Ministers.
Abstract: Proceedings of the first high-level policy conference on organic farming ever held The conference was attended by 60 participants from more than 20 countries and international organisations, including 5 Ministers and 10 vice-Ministers It resulted in the Rudolec Declaration urging governments and minsters of Central and Eastern Europe to adopt and implement environmentally and socially sound agricultural policies promoting organic agriculture
01 Jan 1994
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide an overview on agronomic, environmental, economic and social performance of organic farming in several EU and other countries, and also discuses most commonly criticised aspects in relation to organic farming and analyses them in an objective and non-biased manner.
Abstract: The paper provides an overview on agronomic, environmental, economic and social performance of organic farming in several EU and other countries. It also discuses most commonly criticised aspects in relation to organic farming and analyses them in an objective and non-biased manner.