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Showing papers on "Organic farming published in 2003"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Understanding the underlying effects of why organic fertilization appears to improve plant health may lead to new and better integrated pest management and integrated soil fertility management designs.
Abstract: Cultural methods such as crop fertilization can affect susceptibility of plants to insect pests by altering plant tissue nutrient levels. Research shows that the ability of a crop plant to resist or tolerate insect pests and diseases is tied to optimal physical, chemical and mainly biological properties of soils. Soils with high organic matter and active soil biology generally exhibit good soil fertility. Crops grown in such soils generally exhibit lower abundance of several insect herbivores, reductions that may be attributed to a lower nitrogen content in organically farmed crops. On the other hand, farming practices, such as excessive use of inorganic fertilizers, can cause nutrient imbalances and lower pest resistance. More studies comparing pest populations on plants treated with synthetic versus organic fertilizers are needed. Understanding the underlying effects of why organic fertilization appears to improve plant health may lead us to new and better integrated pest management and integrated soil fertility management designs. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

417 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an integrated economic-environmental accounting framework was applied to three case study farms in Tuscany (Italy) covering different farming systems (FSs) and different spatial scales.

345 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Higher foraging activity in bats suggests that habitat quality in terms of prey availability is greater on organic farms, and as the number of organic enterprises increases it may help to reverse declines in bat populations.
Abstract: Summary 1. Agricultural intensification is perceived to be a major cause of the decline in many European bat populations. Because organic farming prohibits the use of agrochemicals, we compared organic vs. conventional farm types to test the hypothesis that agricultural intensification based on high levels of agrochemical use has been a factor in bat population declines. Bat activity and species richness were compared on matched pairs of organic and conventional farms. 2. Bat activity was quantified using acoustic surveys within specific habitats on farms in southern England and Wales. Eighty-nine per cent of bat passes were identified to species level using artificial neural networks (ANN). A further 9% were identified to genus. 3. Total bat activity was significantly higher on organic farms than on conventional farms. Significantly more bat passes were recorded over water on organic farms than on conventional farms. Foraging activity (quantified in two ways: total feedings buzzes and feeding buzzes per pass) was significantly higher on organic farms than on conventional farms. 4. The dominant species on both farm types were Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus . Significantly more passes of Myotis species were recorded on organic farms than on conventional farms. This difference was also significant when water habitats were considered alone. 5. The activity of both Myotis daubentonii and Myotis brandtii was significantly higher on organic farms than on conventional farms. The activity of Myotis bechsteinii and Myotis brandtii was significantly higher over organic water habitats than over conventional water habitats. Rhinolophus hipposideros and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum were only recorded on organic farms in wooded, arable and pasture habitats. 6. Synthesis and applications. This study highlights the position of bats as bioindicators and victims of agricultural change. The differences in bat activity between farm types may reflect features such as taller hedgerows and better water quality on organic farms. Higher foraging activity also suggests that habitat quality in terms of prey availability is greater on organic farms. Less intensive farming benefits bats, and as the number of organic enterprises increases it may help to reverse declines in bat populations.

298 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial has been operating since 1981 and consists of three replicated cropping systems, one organic manure based (MNR), one organic legume based (LEG) and a conventional system (CNV) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The 1999 severe crop season drought in the northeastern US was followed by hurricane-driven torrential rains in September, offering a unique opportunity to observe how managed and natural systems respond to climate-related stress. The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial has been operating since 1981 and consists of three replicated cropping systems, one organic manure based (MNR), one organic legume based (LEG) and a conventional system (CNV). The MNR system consists of a 5-year maize–soybean–wheat–clover/hay rotation, the LEG of a 3-year maize–soybean–wheat–green manure, and the CNV of a 5-year maize-soybean rotation. Subsoil lysimeters allowed quantification of percolated water in each system. Average maize and soybean yields were similar in all three systems over the post-transition years (1985–1998). Five drought years occurred between 1984 and 1998 and in four of them the organic maize outyielded the CNV by significant margins. In 1999 all crop systems suffered severe yield depressions; however, there were substantial yield differences between systems. Organic maize yielded 38% and 137% relative to CNV in the LEG and MNR treatments, respectively, and 196% and 152% relative to CNV in the soybean plots. The primary mechanism of the higher yield of the MNR and LEG is proposed to be the higher water-holding capacity of the soils in those treatments, while the lower yield of the LEG maize was due to weed competition in that particular year and treatment. Soils in the organic plots captured more water and retained more of it in the crop root zone than in the CNV treatment. Water capture in the organic plots was approximately 100% higher than in CNV plots during September's torrential rains.

287 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, several studies on N-mineralisation from composts are compiled as a rule the immediate N-effect in the first year is less than 15% (5-15%) of the Ntotal-supply by compost followed by 2-8% year-1 of the remaining compost-N in the following years.

238 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that organic cropping promotes weed species diversity at an early phase of cropping history but that a change in species composition would require a longer period oforganic cropping.

166 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For example, the authors found that organic farmers and organic consumers in Norway have common attitudes towards environmental questions and animal welfare in Norwegian agriculture, while conventional farmers do not see major environmental problems and problems with animal welfare.
Abstract: In Norway, the production andconsumption of organic food is still small-scale. Research on attitudes towards organic farming in Norway has shown that most consumers find conventionally produced food to be “good enough.” The level of industrialization of agriculture and the existence of food scandals in a country will affect consumer demand for organically produced foods. Norway is an interesting case because of its small-scale agriculture, few problems with food-borne diseases, and low market share for organic food. Similarities between groups of consumers and producers of food, organic and conventional, when it comes to attitudes concerning environment, use of gene technology, and animal welfare have implications for understanding market conditions for organically produced food. The results of our study indicate that organic farmers and organic consumers in Norway have common attitudes towards environmental questions and animal welfare in Norwegian agriculture. Conventional farmers have a higher degree of agreement with the way agriculture is carried out today. Unlike organic farmers and consumers, conventional farmers do not see major environmental problems and problems with animal welfare in today's farming system. But like the organic farmers and consumers, and to a stronger degree than conventional consumers, conventional farmers renounce gene technology as a solution to environmental problems in agriculture. These results are discussed in relation to their importance for the market situation for organically produced foods.

155 citations


Book
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: Includes: Abiotic Stresses Biology of Recalcitrant Seeds Crop Improvement and Biotechnology Environmental Regulation of Growth and Development Ethics Genetics of Crop improvement methods in Plant Breeding Organic Farming Photosynthesis Phytoremediation Plant Diversity and Usage Plant growth and development Plant Nutrition Plant Pests and Diseases Plant Tissue Culture Plants and the Environment.
Abstract: Includes: Abiotic Stresses Biology of Recalcitrant Seeds Crop Improvement and Biotechnology Environmental Regulation of Growth and Development Ethics Genetics of Crop Improvement Methods in Plant Breeding Organic Farming Photosynthesis Phytoremediation Plant Diversity and Usage Plant Growth and Development Plant Nutrition Plant Pests and Diseases Plant Tissue Culture Plants and the Environment Pollination (including Insect and Wind Pollination Postharvest Physiology Primary Products Primary Products of Photosynthesis Production Systems/Agronomy Regulators of Growth Secondary Products Seed Development Water Relations of Plants Weeds

143 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) site was established in 1998 to examine the agronomic and economic performance of conventional and organic systems, using certified organic production practices as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Based on the interest of organic and conventional farmers in Iowa in long-term analysis of organic systems, the Neely-Kinyon Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) site was established in 1998 to examine the agronomic and economic performance of conventional and organic systems, using certified organic production practices. We report the results of the economic analysis from 3 years of production (1999–2001). Using organic price premiums for organic crops, returns for corn within the organic corn-soybean-oat and corn-soybean-oat-alfalfa rotations were significantly greater than conventional corn-soybean rotation returns (US$739 ha−1 for the organic com-soybean-oat-alfalfa rotation.

133 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider different approaches to nutrient budgeting on organic farms and evaluate the sources of bias in the measurements and/or estimates of the nutrient inputs and outputs, and suggest that used together with soil analysis, nutrient budgets are a useful tool for improving the long-term sustainability of organic systems.
Abstract: On organic farms, where the importation of materials to build/maintain soil fertility is restricted, it is important that a balance between inputs and outputs of nutrients is achieved to ensure both short-term productivity and long-term sustainability. This paper considers different approaches to nutrient budgeting on organic farms and evaluates the sources of bias in the measurements and/or estimates of the nutrient inputs and outputs. The paper collates 88 nutrient budgets compiled at the farm scale in 9 temperate countries. All the nitrogen (N) budgets showed an N surplus (average 83.2 kg N ha-1 year-1). The efficiency of N use, defined as outputs/inputs, was highest (0.9) and lowest (0.2) in arable and beef systems respectively. The phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) budgets showed both surpluses and deficits (average 3.6 kg P ha-1 year-1, 14.2 kg K ha-1 year-1) with horticultural systems showing large surpluses resulting from purchased manure. The estimation of N fixation and quantities of nutrients in purchased manures may introduce significant errors in nutrient budgets. Overall, the data illustrate the diversity of management systems in place on organic farms, and suggest that used together with soil analysis, nutrient budgets are a useful tool for improving the long-term sustainability of organic systems.

131 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A major influence of pH and livestock density on the diversity of the nematode community at both taxonomic levels as well as at different trophic levels (feeding habits) is revealed.
Abstract: Summary 1. Soil sustainability implies a sufficient diversity and abundance of organisms to perform soil functions and to resist environmental stress. Previous studies have shown the importance of functional biodiversity for soil organisms. 2. Soil samples have been collected within the framework of a long-term monitoring programme in the Netherlands. Nematological and microbiological techniques were combined to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of possible below-ground effects of land management. 3. A possible bias due to stochastic circumstances was investigated. The Mantel test showed that the diversity at species level is largely related to air temperature, but at genus level the effect of temperature disappears. No direct influence of rainfall on the soil biodiversity was found in our model. 4. To extrapolate our data to a national level, habitat‐response relationships for soil organisms have been derived. Generalized linear models (GLMs) and Monte Carlo simulation allowed the estimation of the probability of occurrence at a given abundance for 95 nematode genera. 5. Our study describes the influence of abiotic conditions and land use intensity on the composition of nematode communities in grasslands on sand. The results obtained reveal a major influence of pH and livestock density on the diversity of the nematode community at both taxonomic levels as well as at different trophic levels (feeding habits). The presence and abundance of soil nematodes decrease with cattle pressure. 6. Functional diversity decreases with increasing management intensity. It is shown that the Shannon diversities of bacterial feeding nematodes and fungal feeding nematodes are strictly related to cattle pressure, whereas the bacterial biomass occurring under organic farming scores higher than in other farming systems.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that organic livestock production in future will be carried out by farmers who are committed to organic ideals and, therefore, it is important that new livestock systems are developed which comply to a higher degree with these ideals.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: root diseases are generally less severe in organically than conventionally managed soils, and the reasons for reduced root disease severity have seldom been investigated, although relationships with nitrogen supply or microbial diversity have sometimes been found.
Abstract: Conventional agriculture has had major environmental impacts, in particular with respect to soil degradation. Soil structure, fertility, microbial and faunal biodiversity have declined, and root diseases are common unless genetic resistance, soil fumigation and/or seed treatments are used. Primarily for environmental reasons and increasing demands for safe and healthy food from the public, farmers have switched over to organic production at an increasing rate. During a transition period of about 5 years, organic farmers may face problems with yield losses and pest or disease problems. However, in well-managed, long-term organic farms, soilborne diseases need not be a problem. Several studies in which disease severity was compared in organic and conventional farming systems (or with soils from those systems) showed that root diseases are generally less severe in organically than conventionally managed soils. The reasons for reduced root disease severity have seldom been investigated, although relationships with nitrogen supply or microbial diversity have sometimes been found. Crop protection in organic farming is generally not directed at controlling particular pathogens or pests but at management of the environment so that plants are able to withstand potential attacks. Resistant cultivars adapted to the local conditions are in demand among organic farmers. However, the main practices that contribute to disease control are long, balanced rotations, organic amendments and reduced tillage, all geared towards maintenance of the soil organic matter content and fertility. Organic farmers can make use of biological control agents and natural toxic compounds in plant extracts. However, these practices are methods of last resort.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The overall objective of this study is to examine the application of arable weeds as indicator organisms of biodiversity in agro-ecosystems to evaluate species conservation effects of management practices to improve the assessment of the value of management measures for species conservation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results indicate that a prior summer cover crop can improve both conventional and organic vegetable production systems.

Book
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present recent developments in global organic agriculture and present general information on the state of organic agriculture in the five continents of the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India.
Abstract: This study documents concisely recent developments in global organic agriculture. Apart from figures on the area under organic management and on organic farms this publication also contains general information on the state of organic agriculture in the five continents.

Book
18 Dec 2003
TL;DR: Organic principles and values -the framework for organic animal husbandry the role of animals in farming systems - a historical perspective organic livestock standards animal welfare, ethics and organic farming understanding animal behaviour and its use in organic animal Husbandry, role of humans in the management of organic herds animal health and diseases in organic farming.
Abstract: Organic principles and values - the framework for organic animal husbandry the role of animals in farming systems - a historical perspective organic livestock standards animal welfare, ethics and organic farming understanding animal behaviour and its use in organic animal husbandry the role of humans in the management of organic herds animal health and diseases in organic farming - an overview organic animal husbandry - the future challenges. (Part contents.)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The paper analyzes the factors affecting sustainability of small ruminant livestock systems in the Mediterranean basin, such as seasonal forage availability or suboptimal pasture utilisation due to overgrazing but also the factor of underGrazing.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the social di- mensions of conventional and organic farming in northern Florida (U.S.A.) and developed a 44-item survey instrument to measure farmers' socio- demographic background, farm characteristics, participation in social organizations, communication and information networks.
Abstract: To enhance efforts to conserve birds, especially insectivorous species, we examined the social di- mensions of conventional and organic farming in northern Florida (U.S.A.). Using a framework for the adoption of agricultural innovations, we developed a 44-item survey instrument to measure farmers' socio- demographic background, farm characteristics, participation in social organizations, communication and information networks, and perceived barriers and incentives to adopting bird-friendly practices. Seventy-six surveys were completed, with a response rate of 84% for organic farmers and 60% for conventional farmers. The population of conventional farmer was composed of more males who were older, less educated, and earned a greater income than organic farmers. Conventional farms were on average 20 times larger than or- ganic farms and grew less than half the varieties of crops. These two factors correlated with higher agreement with statements that a considerable amount of money is spent on pest management and that leaf-eating in- sects cause considerable damage. Fewer conventional than organic farmers scouted for pests daily, an impor- tant component of integrated pest management. Almost all farmers (95%) reported recognizing most of the bird species on their farms. More organic farmers (31%) than conventional farmers (12%) reported more than 30 bird species on their farms. Farmers' overall willingness to attract birds to their farms was not corre- lated with economic or noneconomic incentives and barriers to adopting bird-friendly practices, such as cur- rent costs of pest management, experience with bird damage to crops, and farmers' knowledge of insectivo- rous birds and birds on their farms. Innovations in current farming practices that could enhance bird populations should be disseminated through existing social networks and media channels identified in this paper.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, comparative studies about carabid beetles in organically and conventionally managed winter cereal fields of central Europe were collected from the literature and unpublished data sources and were then pooled and analyzed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined whether organic agriculture and conventional agriculture differ in their susceptibility to soil erosion by water and found that on average, about 15% less erosion on arable land was predicted for OA than for CA due to the larger area of leys, although OA occupies areas that are susceptible to erosion more often than CA.
Abstract: Organic agriculture (OA) aims to identify a production regime that causes less environmental problems than conventional agriculture (CA). We examined whether the two systems differ in their susceptibility to soil erosion by water. To account for the large heterogeneity within the rotations practised on different farms, we chose a statistical evaluation which modelled erosion using the USLE method from the cropping statistics for 2056 districts in Bavaria (70 547 km2; 29.8% arable). Physical conditions of erosion were determined in a rectangular grid yielding 13 125 grid-cells of c. 5 km2 each. For validation, erosion was measured in 10 sub-watersheds on two neighbouring OA and CA farms over 8 years (287 erosive events). On average, about 15% less erosion on arable land was predicted for OA than for CA due to the larger area of leys, although OA occupies areas that are susceptible to erosion more often than CA. The same conclusions could be drawn from the validation data. These data also demonstrated that erosion could be reduced considerably below 1 t ha±1 yr±1 with best management practices under both farming systems. In contrast, at the countrywide scale, cropping did not change adequately with site conditions favouring erosion. The need for erosion control seems not to in¯uence crop rotation decisions on erosion-prone sites.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the differences in spontaneous vegetation of comparable hedgerows in the same area situated within organic and conventional farming systems were compared and found that organic farming had a significantly reduced impact on hedge bottom vegetation compared to conventional farming.

Book
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present contemporary challenges, current concerns, and current concerns Feeding the World Unequal distribution Environmental Challenges Water Pressure Nutritional Deficiencies Over-Nutrition Contamination Part 2: Farming Mechanization Industrial Livestock Production Animal Feed Animal Diseases Agricultural R&D Genetically Modified Crops Pesticides Fertilizers Working the Land Land Ownership Urban Farming Fishing and Aquaculture Agricultural Biodiversity Organic Farming Greenhouse Gases Part 3: Trade - Trade Flows Live Animal Transport Subsidized Trade Trade Disputes Trade Dispute Trade
Abstract: Introduction Part 1: Contemporary Challenges Current Concerns Feeding the World Unequal Distribution Environmental Challenges Water Pressure Nutritional Deficiencies Over-Nutrition Contamination Part 2: Farming Mechanization Industrial Livestock Production Animal Feed Animal Diseases Agricultural R&D Genetically Modified Crops Pesticides Fertilizers Working the Land Land Ownership Urban Farming Fishing and Aquaculture Agricultural Biodiversity Organic Farming Greenhouse Gases Part 3: Trade - Trade Flows Live Animal Transport Subsidized Trade Trade Disputes Trade Dependency Fair Trade Part 4: Processing, Retailing and Consumption Staple Foods Changing Diets Processing Giants Retail Power Organic Food Food Additives Eating Out Fast Food Alcohol Advertising and Marketing Citizens Bite Back Part 5: Data Tables Agriculture Consumption

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2003-Geoderma
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assesses farmer understanding of soil fertility enhancement processes that organic coffee producers use as a basis for decision-making and experimentation, such as knowledge of leaf litter decomposition, composting, soil biology, and biological nitrogen fixation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence for the development of gardening in the study area is presented and differences/similarities between gardens at organic and non-organic farms are identified to identify similarities and differences concerning organic/non-organic gardens are identified.
Abstract: In Eastern Tyrol (Austria), homegardens are an integral part of the farming system. The aim of this paper is to present evidence for the development of gardening in the study area and to identify differences/similarities between gardens at organic and non-organic farms. In 1997 and 1998, in homegardens on 91 organic and 105 non-organic farms from 12 communities, occurrence and abundance of cultivated plant species were surveyed and interviews were carried out about garden history, management and plant use. For the factor organic/non-organic, differences between gardens were statistically tested. Garden management is similar in organic/non-organic gardens, except mixed cropping and the use of alternative remedies to combat diseases, both with significantly higher occurrence on organic farms. Popular innovations from organic farming did not have a strong and clearly visible impact on management of homegardens. The population of cultivated plant species, until the 1960s approx. 51; nowadays approx. ...

01 Jan 2003

Posted Content
TL;DR: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented national organic standards on organic production and processing in October 2002, following more than a decade of development, and the new uniform standards are expected to facilitate further growth in the organic farm sector as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: U.S. farmland managed under organic farming systems expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s, and that pace has continued as farmers strive to meet consumer demand in both local and national markets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented national organic standards on organic production and processing in October 2002, following more than a decade of development, and the new uniform standards are expected to facilitate further growth in the organic farm sector. USDA's organic standards incorporate an ecological approach to farming-cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, ecological balance, and protection of biodiversity. An increasing number of U.S. farmers are adopting these systems in order to lower input costs, conserve nonrenewable resources, capture high-value markets, and boost farm income. This report updates USDA estimates of land farmed with organic practices during 1997 with estimates for 2000 and 2001, and provides new estimates on the number of certified organic operations in each State.

Posted ContentDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a conjoint analysis is conducted in the state of Vermont to examine consumer evaluation of major product attributes and their tradeoffs and find that there is likely a significant niche market for organic apples and milk and many consumers, especially people who have purchased organic food products, are willing to pay more for organic products.
Abstract: While organic farming has been identified as an effective way to improve food safety and environment quality, the adoption of organic production and processing is highly determined by the market demand for organic food products. To assess the market potential for organic apples and milk, a conjoint analysis is conducted in the state of Vermont to examine consumer evaluation of major product attributes and their tradeoffs. Results suggest that there is likely a significant niche market for organic apples and milk and many consumers, especially people who have purchased organic food products, are willing to pay more for organic apples and milk produced locally and certified by NOFA.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors give an overview of the present state of the art in the different issues of organic agriculture and discuss the possibilities of and limitations in performing the self-aimed goals under the basic standards of organicagriculture.
Abstract: Based on its productionguideline, organic agriculture has set foritself the goals of minimizing all forms ofpollution and maintaining sustainability of thefarming system. By striving for these goals,organic farming meets the demands of anincreasing number of consumers who are criticalof conventional production methods. This papergives an overview of the present state of theart in the different issues. Possibilities ofand limitations in performing the self-aimedgoals under the basic standards of organicagriculture are discussed. Concerningenvironmental protection, in general, the riskof adverse environmental effects is lower withorganic than with conventional farming methods,though not necessarily so; with reference tosoil fertility and nutrient management, organicfarming is suited to improve soil fertility andnutrient management markedly on the farm level;regarding biodiversity, comparison studies showthat organic farming has more positive effectson biodiversity conservation; in relation toproduct quality, under the basic standards oforganic farming, there is no sufficientevidence for a system-related effect on productquality due to the production method.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this study, biomass and grain production of wheat from certified organic farming systems were compared with neighbouring conventional farming systems in 'across the fence' field trials in 1 moderate and 2 marginal rainfall areas of South Australia.
Abstract: Organic farming standards do not allow addition of water-soluble fertilisers and therefore it is likely that growth of organically grown crops will be limited by nutrient availability. However, in marginal rainfall conditions, when growth in conventional systems is limited by water availability, yields of organically grown crops could be comparable with those conventionally grown. Similarly, micronutrient-efficient plant varieties could be expected to perform comparatively better under organic farming conditions than they do in conventional systems, when compared with micronutrient-inefficient varieties. In this study, biomass and grain production of wheat from certified organic farming systems were compared with neighbouring conventional farming systems in 'across the fence' field trials in 1 moderate and 2 marginal rainfall areas of South Australia. Wheat varieties compared included 2 old wheat varieties developed under relatively low-input conditions (Baroota Wonder and Dirk-48) and varieties shown to be micronutrient-efficient (Janz and Trident) and inefficient (Yallaroi). The organic farming systems produced significantly less biomass than the conventional farming systems at late tillering in both the moderate and marginal rainfall areas. Grain yield was variable, but significantly lower in the organic farming system for 11 of the 14 comparisons. None of the varieties showed an adaptive advantage for 1 farming system over the other. The relative yield of the organic system, compared with the conventional system, was not associated with rainfall.