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Showing papers on "Organic farming published in 2022"


Journal ArticleDOI
10 Mar 2022-Agronomy
TL;DR: The survey aims at providing an overview of the current use of copper-based plant-protection products in European organic agriculture and the need for alternatives to allow policymakers to develop strategies for a complete phasing out.
Abstract: The reduction of copper-based plant-protection products with the final aim of phasing out has a high priority in European policy, as well as in organic agriculture. Our survey aims at providing an overview of the current use of these products in European organic agriculture and the need for alternatives to allow policymakers to develop strategies for a complete phasing out. Due to a lack of centralized databases on pesticide use, our survey combines expert knowledge on permitted and real copper use per crop and country, with statistics on organic area. In the 12 surveyed countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK), we calculated that approximately 3258 t copper metal per year is consumed by organic agriculture, equaling to 53% of the permitted annual dosage. This amount is split between olives (1263 t y−1, 39%), grapevine (990 t y−1, 30%), and almonds (317 t y−1, 10%), followed by other crops with much smaller annual uses (<80 t y−1). In 56% of the allowed cases (countries × crops), farmers use less than half of the allowed amount, and in 27%, they use less than a quarter. At the time being, completely abandoning copper fungicides would lead to high yield losses in many crops. To successfully reduce or avoid copper use, all preventive strategies have to be fully implemented, breeding programs need to be intensified, and several affordable alternative products need to be brought to the market.

28 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors describe and update the most relevant data on organic foods, by describing the impact of this practice on environment, producers, consumers and society, as well as by comparing the physicochemical, nutritional and phytochemical quality of conventional and organic plant foods.

20 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the effect of intensive crop management on wild bee diversity in agroecosystems, potentially jeopardizing the pollination services they provide, and showed a strong significant and negative association between honey bee dominance and all wildbee diversity metrics, regardless of local management.

19 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the authors investigated the effect of intensive crop management on wild bee diversity in agroecosystems, potentially jeopardizing the pollination services they provide, and showed a strong significant and negative association between honey bee dominance and all wildbee diversity metrics, regardless of local management.

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the acceptance and perspective deviations of farmers and consumers from farm level to final product marketing in terms of goals to ensure the future sustainability of their farms, incentive factors to make wise decisions, and personal views of farming preferences are analyzed.

13 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
21 Mar 2022-MSystems
TL;DR: In this article , the authors explored the effects of agricultural fertilization regime on soil fungal phytopathogens, using data sets from a combination of field survey and long-term experiment.
Abstract: Fungal phytopathogens are important threats to soil and crop health, but their community composition and environmental determinants remain unclear. We found that soil organic carbon is the key factor of the prevalence of fungal phytopathogens through a field survey, which is also supported by our long-term (6-year) experiment showing the applications of crop straw and fresh livestock manure significantly increased the proportion of fungal phytopathogens. ABSTRACT Soil-borne fungal phytopathogens are important threats to soil and crop health. However, their community composition and environmental determinants remain unclear. Here, we explored the effects of agricultural fertilization regime (i.e., organic material application) on soil fungal phytopathogens, using data sets from a combination of field survey and long-term experiment. We found that soil organic carbon was the key factor that affected the diversity and relative abundance of fungal phytopathogens in agricultural soils. The dominant genera of phytopathogens including Monographella was also strongly associated with soil organic carbon. In addition, the elevated soil organic carbon enhanced the node proportion of phytopathogens and the positive interactions within the fungal community in the network. Results of the long-term experiment revealed that applications of crop straw and fresh livestock manure significantly increased the proportion of phytopathogens, which were associated with the elevated soil organic carbon. This work offers new insights into the occurrence and environmental factors of fungal phytopathogens in agricultural soils, which are fundamental to control their impacts on the soil and crop systems. IMPORTANCE Fungal phytopathogens are important threats to soil and crop health, but their community composition and environmental determinants remain unclear. We found that soil organic carbon is the key factor of the prevalence of fungal phytopathogens through a field survey, which is also supported by our long-term (6-year) experiment showing the applications of crop straw and fresh livestock manure significantly increased the proportion of fungal phytopathogens. These findings advance our understanding of the occurrence and environmental drivers of soil-borne fungal phytopathogens under agricultural fertilization regime and have important implications for the control of soil-borne pathogens.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2022
TL;DR: In this article , Tscharntke et al. suggest that the authors have misjudged the impact of synthetic pesticides on biodiversity and therefore mistakenly dismiss the manifold benefits of organic farming.
Abstract: In their provocative Opinion paper, Tscharntke et al. [ 1. Tscharntke T. et al. Beyond organic farming – harnessing biodiversity-friendly landscapes. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2021; 36: 919-930 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (51) Google Scholar ] conclude that diversifying agricultural landscapes has more benefits for biodiversity than organic farming and its ban on synthetic pesticides. Of course, we agree that a more diverse landscape with smaller fields plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation in agroecosystems. However, we suggest that the authors have misjudged the impact of synthetic pesticides on biodiversity and therefore mistakenly dismiss the manifold benefits of organic farming.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the authors conducted a meta-analysis quantifying the trade-off between biodiversity and yield, comparing conventional and organic farming, and developed a compatibility index to assess whether biodiversity gains from organic farming exceed yield losses.
Abstract: Organic farming supports higher biodiversity than conventional farming, but at the cost of lower yields. We conducted a meta-analysis quantifying the trade-off between biodiversity and yield, comparing conventional and organic farming. We developed a compatibility index to assess whether biodiversity gains from organic farming exceed yield losses, and a substitution index to assess whether organic farming would increase biodiversity in an area if maintaining total production under organic farming would require cultivating more land at the expense of nature. Overall, organic farming had 23% gain in biodiversity with a similar cost of yield decline. Biodiversity gain is negatively correlated to yield loss for microbes and plants, but no correlation was found for other taxa. The biodiversity and yield trade-off varies under different contexts of organic farming. The overall compatibility index value was close to zero, with negative values for cereal crops, positive for non-cereal crops, and varies across taxa. Our results indicate that, on average, the proportion of biodiversity gain is similar to the proportion of yield loss for paired field studies. For some taxa in non-cereal crops, switching to organic farming can lead to a biodiversity gain without yield loss. We calculated the overall value of substitution index and further discussed the application of this index to evaluate when the biodiversity of less intensified farming system is advantageous.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2022-Animal
TL;DR: In this article , a review of the current state of knowledge on the quality of organic animal products, including the authentication of their organic origin, is presented, which enables light to be shed on the consequences of possible trajectories of organic farming, if specifications are relaxed or tightened up on commitments concerning farming practices that impact product quality.
Abstract: The 'organic' label guarantees a production process that avoids the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and hormones and minimises the use of veterinary drugs; however, consumers are demanding guarantees regarding food quality. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the quality of organic animal products, including the authentication of their organic origin. Quality has been considered as an integrative combination of six core attributes: commercial value, and nutritional, sensory, technological, convenience and safety attributes. The comparison of these attributes between organic and conventional animal products shows high heterogeneity due to variability in farming pratices in both organic and conventional systems. To overcome this, we pinpoint the farming practices underlying the differences observed. This enables light to be shed on the consequences of possible trajectories of organic farming, if specifications are relaxed or tightened up on commitments concerning farming practices that impact product quality. Two recent meta-analyses showed better nutritional attributes in organic milk and meat linked to their higher poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content, particularly n-3 PUFAs. Regarding safety, we point to a lack of integrated studies quantifying the balance between positive and negative effects. Organic farming reduces the risk of drug residues and antibiotic resistance, but both outdoor rearing and a frequently longer rearing period increase the animals' exposition to environmental contaminants and the risk of their bioaccumulation in milk, eggs, meat and fish flesh. We highlight antagonisms between quality attributes for certain animal products (lamb, pork). In general, attributes are more variable for organic products, which can be explained by lower genetic selection (poultry), lower inputs and/or greater variability in farming conditions. However, the literature does not address the implications of this greater variability for the consumers' acceptability and the necessary adaptation of manufacturing processes. Further research is needed to document the impacts on human nutritional biomarkers and health. Methods used to authenticate organic origin are based on differences in animal diet composition between organic and conventional systems, but their reliability is hampered by the variability in farming practices.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the use of various agrochemicals in watermelon farming in the southern region of Bangladesh and evaluated farmers' willingness to adopt organic inputs was evaluated. But no training was provided to the farmers to use agrochemical inputs and they used overdoses of different fertilizers and crop protective chemicals.
Abstract: Extensive and improper use of agrochemicals by the farmers is disrupting environmental conditions and endangering human health. The use of organic inputs is the most reasonable solution for ecological sustainability. This study assessed the use of various agrochemicals in watermelon farming in the southern region of Bangladesh and evaluated farmers' willingness to adopt organic inputs. Primary data were collected from 120 watermelon farmers of Khulna district. Adoption Quotient Index was employed to assess farmers' usage of agrochemicals, and a Tobit model was used to determine the factors influencing their usage. In addition, determinants of farmers' willingness to adopt organic inputs were identified through logistic regression. Results revealed that no farmers received any training on the use of agrochemicals. They used overdoses of different fertilizers and crop protective chemicals. The farmers' educational level, farming experience, and extension positively affected the use of agrochemicals, whereas farm size had a negative effect. About 65.8% of the watermelon farmers were willing to adopt organic inputs, and anticipated loss of production is the primary cause for unwillingness in adoption. Farmers' educational level, watermelon farming experience, and training positively influenced their willingness, while annual income had a negative impact. This study suggests conducting proper economic evaluation of watermelon production considering environmental and social costs, educating and providing training to the farmers on appropriate agrochemicals usage and organic inputs for sustainable watermelon production.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors proposed an analytical grid to study national trajectories of institutionalization of organic farming in Africa, based on three main variables: the policy regime in place in the country (including socioeconomic and agrifood dimensions); the relative interest of public and private foreign actors in organic agriculture; and the strength of the national organic agriculture movement.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors compared the effects of different agricultural practices on global warming potential (GWP), referring to one hectare and to one ton of olives as functional units.
Abstract: The relationship between agriculture and climate change is gaining prominence year by year in due to both adaptation and mitigation issues, because agriculture contributes to carbon emissions and acts as a carbon sink. Innovation on olive growing may help improve production systems for a more sustainable agriculture. In recent years, the olive sector is shifting towards intensification via a new growing system implementation with a strong economic impact. Indeed, the olive-growing systems are moving from low-density (<250 trees/ha) to medium-density (300–500 trees/ha), and mostly to super-high-density (>1200 trees/ha) systems. The aims of the present study were to compare these different olive-growing systems, managed by both integrated and organic farming, and to assess the effects of different agricultural practices on global warming potential (GWP), referring to one hectare and to one ton of olives as functional units. For both functional units and for all olive-growing systems, in the organic farming method, there is a greater environmental impact compared to integrated farming because of the higher number of mechanical operations (e.g., for weed control) in the former. The super-high-density growing system exhibited a lower GWP, considering both one hectare and one ton for both farming methods.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors proposed a method to reduce GHG emissions from the application of fertilizers by combining tillage treatments, reduced and no-till technologies, and the cultivation of catch crops and leguminous plants.
Abstract: In the face of a changing climate, intensive efforts are needed for limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 °C. Agricultural production has the potential to play an important role in mitigating climate change. It is necessary to optimize all of the agricultural practices that have high levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among the plant production processes, mineral fertilization is of the greatest importance in the formation of the carbon footprint (CF) of crops. There are many possibilities for reducing GHG emissions from the application of fertilizers. Further benefits in reducing the CF can be obtained through combining tillage treatments, reduced and no-till technologies, and the cultivation of catch crops and leguminous plants. Organic farming has the potential for reducing GHG emissions and improving organic carbon sequestration. This system eliminates synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and thus could lower global agricultural GHG emissions. Organic farming could result in a higher soil organic carbon content compared to non-organic systems. When used together with other environmentally friendly farming practices, significant reductions of GHG emissions can be achieved.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The BioNutriNet project as discussed by the authors investigated the relationship between organic food consumption, dietary patterns, monetary diet cost, health, and the environment, and found that regular consumption of organic food was associated with reduced risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, postmenopausal breast cancer, and lymphoma.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the authors compared attitudes to buying organic food in selected countries in Central Europe and found that Slovak consumers consider organic food to be the least recognizable and least promoted of all the regions surveyed, and they are also the least likely to encounter targeted advertising.
Abstract: This article compares attitudes to buying organic food in selected countries in Central Europe. The current research was conducted in 2019 on a total sample of 2800 respondents in the Czech Republic, Slovakia (Central Europe, with a relatively new organic food market), and Germany (a traditional Western Europe country with a mature food market). The study results demonstrate significant differences between the three selected markets. The product quality is the most important for German consumers. Slovak consumers consider organic food to be the least recognizable and least promoted of all the regions surveyed, and they are also the least likely to encounter targeted advertising for organic products. Germany is the country where most respondents regularly or occasionally buy organic food. In Slovakia, an interesting finding is the highest proportion of respondents who do not buy organic food at all. Czech respondents often buy organic products in specialized shops and like to grow organic products themselves. The results also suggest that Slovak consumers slightly more often prefer foreign organic products to the local ones, whereas consumers in Germany select regional organic products more often and prefer to buy regional products at farmers’ markets.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the environmental impact of the conventional and organic farming systems of hazelnut production in Viterbo province in Italy was evaluated using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Fliessbach et al. as discussed by the authors investigated the long-term effect of organic and conventional farming systems on soil quality and found that recycling manure at a level of 1.4 livestock units per hectare permits maintenance of soil organic carbon (SOC) levels and that composting manure, as performed in BIOORG 1.5 and BIOORG 2.4, helps to further increase SOC levels and improve biological soil quality.
Abstract: Abstract Soils are the basis of life on land and the ways in which we manage them for crop production, impact their role, functions and quality. Conventional farming uses industrial inputs to a level that is economically justified, whilst organic farming systems avoid mineral fertilizers and synthetic chemical pesticides. This study investigates the long-term effect of organic and conventional farming systems on soil quality. The DOK trial (bio D ynamic, bio O rganic, K onventionell (German for conventional)) running since 1978 in Therwil (CH), compares bioorganic (BIOORG), biodynamic (BIODYN), and conventional (CONFYM) farming systems at two farmyard manure intensities corresponding to 0.7 and 1.4 livestock units per hectare with a purely mineral fertilized system (CONMIN) and an unfertilized control (NOFERT). The treatments in the DOK trial vary in plant protection and receive system-specific organic matter inputs differing in rate and quality. With this work, we revisit the soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics across 42 years and redefine the previous perception of mainly declining SOC contents after 21 years of organic and conventional management (Fliessbach et al. 2007). After 42 years, we found SOC contents to be increased in BIODYN 1.4 and to a lesser extent also in BIOORG 1.4. CONFYM 1.4 showed stable SOC contents, while systems fertilized with manure of 0.7 livestock units and CONMIN lost SOC. SOC loss was highest in NOFERT. Enhanced biological soil quality under organic and particularly biodynamic management highlights the close link between soil biology and SOC changes. The impact of farming systems on SOC was detectable after 2 decades of continuous management. We conclude that recycling manure at a level of 1.4 livestock units per hectare permits maintenance of SOC levels and that composting manure, as performed in BIODYN 1.4, helps to further increase SOC levels and improve biological soil quality.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors applied the Technological Innovation System (TIS) framework to the case of organic dairy farming in the Netherlands, for which a literature review and interviews with key actors within the dairy value chain were carried out.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , an integrated Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment framework is developed to assess the life cycle sustainability of innovative olive farming systems (intensive and highly-intensive) compared to traditional ones (conventional and organic) in Tunisia, one of the world's leading olive oil producers.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted two sets of studies focusing on organic cotton (in the form of stuffed toys) and wine (Chianti DOCG) to understand consumer attitudes and perception towards such products in order to shift consumer behaviour.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Zhang et al. as discussed by the authors investigated the effect of organic mulch on litchi downy blight, and evaluated the biodiversity and antimicrobial potential of the soil microbial community of Litchi plantations.
Abstract: Organic mulch is an important management practice in agricultural production to improve soil quality, control crop pests and diseases and increase the biodiversity of soil microecosystem. However, the information about soil microbial diversity and composition in litchi plantation response to organic mulch and its attribution to litchi downy blight severity was limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of organic mulch on litchi downy blight, and evaluate the biodiversity and antimicrobial potential of soil microbial community of litchi plantation soils under organic mulch.Organic mulch could significantly suppress the disease incidence in the litchi plantation, and with a reduction of 37.74% to 85.66%. As a result of high-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS rDNA gene illumine sequencing, significantly higher bacterial and fungal community diversity indexes were found in organic mulch soils, the relative abundance of norank f norank o Vicinamibacterales, norank f Vicinamibacteraceae, norank f Xanthobacteraceae, Unclassified c sordariomycetes, Aspergillus and Thermomyces were significant more than that in control soils. Isolation and analysis of antagonistic microorganism showed that 29 antagonistic bacteria strains and 37 antagonistic fungi strains were unique for mulching soils.Thus, we believe that organic mulch has a positive regulatory effect on the litchi downy blight and the soil microbial communities, and so, is more suitable for litchi plantation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , Tscharntke et al. argue for a redesign of conventional farming to enhance biodiversity by diversifying cropland and significantly reducing field size, preferably to one hectare.
Abstract: Agricultural landscape heterogeneity is an important component for protecting and enhancing biodiversity, as Tscharntke et al. [ 1. Tscharntke T. et al. Beyond organic farming – harnessing biodiversity-friendly landscapes. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2021; 36: 919-930 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (51) Google Scholar ] creditably point out in an opinion article. They argue for a redesign of conventional farming to enhance biodiversity by diversifying cropland and significantly reducing field size, preferably to one hectare. They hypothesise that reducing field sizes while maintaining conventional fertiliser and pesticide usage, could provide similar biodiversity benefits than organic farming but avoid the yield losses associated with organic agriculture. We question this scenario from an agronomic and ecological perspective, as the intensity of farming systems is known to affect biodiversity and yields simultaneously [ 2. Gabriel D. et al. Food production vs. biodiversity: comparing organic and conventional agriculture. J. Appl. Ecol. 2013; 50: 355-364 Crossref Scopus (169) Google Scholar ].

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of organic management on community traits of free-living nematodes as well as bulk and microstructure properties of soil by comparing them to conventional management, both within vine rows and in interrows.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using a multivariate analytic model and state level data from multiple sources and years, this paper examined a wide range of determinants that could affect organic agriculture and found that research support, labor availability, and a solid consumer base are crucial to boost organic sector in the U.S. and other countries.
Abstract: As the demand for organic products quickly grows in the U.S., the domestic supply of organic commodities has stagnated and failed to meet the increasing needs. To expand the organic supply capacity in the country, it is crucial to identify the key factors that could effectively promote the scale of organic farming in the U.S. Using a multivariate analytic model and state level data from multiple sources and years, this study examines a wide range of determinants that could affect organic agriculture. The results show that research funding would significantly increase organic vegetable production and the number of organic farms. The development of organic farming could be greatly encouraged by the support of research institutions. In addition, the evidence shows that abundant farm workers are essential for the organic farming sector, which is labor-intensive. Finally, a large population base could create a more stable consumer group that would promote the development of organic agriculture. These results suggest the importance of exploring and expanding consumer groups for organic commodities. These findings provide insightful implications that research support, labor availability, and a solid consumer base are crucial to boost the organic sector in the U.S. and other countries.

Journal ArticleDOI
08 Jun 2022-Agronomy
TL;DR: In this paper , a questionnaire survey was used, applied through internet tools as a result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, to study consumers' trends and the consumption of foods obtained through organic farming in two different countries, Portugal and Turkey.
Abstract: This research aimed to study consumers’ trends and the consumption of foods obtained through organic farming in two different countries, Portugal and Turkey. A questionnaire survey was used, applied through internet tools as a result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. For the treatment of data, we used basic statistics complemented with a tree classification, aimed at evaluating the influence of sociodemographic factors on the knowledge about this type of food. The results showed that the consumption patterns are relatively similar in both countries, with many participants consuming organic foods, especially vegetables and fruits, consuming them mostly two or three meals per week. The strongest motivations to consume organic foods include benefits for human health and lower environmental impacts, while the most substantial reason not to consume is the higher price. It was also found that in both countries, people have good knowledge about the advantages of organic foods over conventional ones. Finally, the perception of the value attributed by society to organic foods was considerably higher in Portugal. These results confirm the apparent trend of making more sustainable food choices, which is motivated by the perceived negative impact of conventional agriculture on ecosystems and health.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , a field trial was compared with chemical fertilizer based agricultural settings and the results suggest that the intervention of nanotechnology along with organic farming practice can help in minimizing the mass volume requirement of conventional chemical fertilizer while improving crop production.
Abstract: Sustainable and precision agriculture practices are essential to meet the global food demand with minimal impact on soil, air and water. In the present study, nanofertilizers of nitrogen and zinc was used with the organic farming practice under field condition for the cereal i.e. wheat, pearl millet, and oil seed crops i.e. mustard, sesame. The field trial was compared with chemical fertilizer based agricultural settings. A total of 160 field demonstrations were conducted at two locations: Khaliyawas (28.19° N, 76.76° E) and Khatawali (28.22° N, 76.76° E) of Haryana, India with a total area of 1225 acre and randomized block design. It was found that an average yield was recorded 5.35% higher in wheat, 24.24% higher yield in sesame, 4.2% higher in pearl millet and 8.4% higher yield in mustard by applying nanofertilizers of nitrogen and zinc along with the organic farming practice. The increased yield corroborated with the development parameters of plants such as wheat tillers, ear head length of pearl millet, capsule number per plant in sesame and siliquae number per plant in mustard. The trial observation suggests that the fields with applied organic manure, bio-fertilizer and nanofertilizers in combination resulted in higher yield and better plant growth performances when compared to the fields under conventional chemical fertilizer practice. The results suggest that the intervention of nanotechnology along with organic farming practice can help in minimizing the mass volume requirement of conventional chemical fertilizer while improving crop production.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a review of the current state of organic farming in India along with its components, advantages, associated constraints, and future potential is presented, where it can be argued that organic farming has a better prospect in India.
Abstract: The agriculture sector faces multiple challenges in meeting the growing food demand of an ever-increasing population. Conventional farming is one of the most widely practiced approach due to its affordability and accessibility, but it is associated with various drawbacks. A resilient and sustainable agriculture system is required to face different environmental challenges. Sustainable agriculture includes different ecofriendly farming techniques that boost crop yield and livestock production without having an adverse effect on the environment. Organic farming is one such approach that should be practiced for attaining the goal of sustainable agriculture. In simple words, organic farming can be defined as the production of plants by avoiding the use of harmful synthetic additives (fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics etc.). Organically cultivated foodstuffs have become increasingly popular due to their numerous health benefits. India has experienced a significant expansion of organic farming and is presently one of the major organic producers in the world. Though there are some difficulties yet to be overcome in order to ensure that organic farming has a beneficial economic and health impact, it can be argued that it has a better prospect in India. This review deliberates the current state of organic farming in India along with its components, advantages, associated constraints and future potential.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors identified organic agriculture-based innovations and assessed how they overcome the social, economic, and ecological challenges of conventional agriculture in a developing country context using data collected from Kenya, the study identified a range of innovations.
Abstract: • How organic agriculture-based innovations overcome societal challenges in Kenya was assessed. • Adoption of product, process, marketing, organizational and institutional innovations was noted. • These innovations overcome social, economic, and ecological challenges. • However, policy innovation is still limited. • The limited policy innovation requires more government effort. The discontent with the agri-food system changes prompted a shift from the modernization paradigm to the sustainability paradigm and the emergence of alternative innovations. This study identified organic agriculture-based innovations and assessed how they overcome the social, economic, and ecological challenges of conventional agriculture in a developing country context. Using data collected from Kenya, the study identified a range of innovations. Financial innovations were adopted, a peer learning system emerged, some organic farms diversified into a new non-conventional agricultural activity of agro-tourism, and resource use was deepened by turning resources once considered as wastes, weeds, and foodstuffs into more valuable products for controlling pests and diseases and maintaining soil fertility. New interdependent marketing channels, namely: organic farmers’ markets and basket delivery schemes were introduced. Online and peer advertising techniques were adopted to promote organic products. A participatory guarantee system of organic certification was adopted and new product standards were created. These innovations are overcoming many challenges in the organic sub-sector, including limited information, market risk, limited access to financial services and dependence on external markets, and limited policy integration. However, policy innovation is still limited. This requires an urgent effort from the Government of Kenya.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon of chemical interaction between plants, and this phenomenon has great potential to be used as an effective and environmentally friendly tool for weed management in field crops as mentioned in this paper .
Abstract: Weeds are a serious threat to crop production as they interfere with the crop growth and development and result in significant crop losses. Weeds actually cause yield loss higher than any other pest in crop production. As a result, synthetic herbicides have been widely used for weed management. Heavy usage of synthetic herbicides, however, has resulted in public concerns over the impact of herbicides on human health and the environment. Due to various environmental and health issues associated with synthetic herbicides, researchers have been exploring alternative environmentally friendly means of controlling weed. Among them, incorporating allelopathy as a tool in an integrated weed management plan could meaningfully bring down herbicide application. Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon of chemical interaction between plants, and this phenomenon has great potential to be used as an effective and environmentally friendly tool for weed management in field crops. In field crops, allelopathy can be applied through intercropping, crop rotation, cover crops, mulching and allelopathic water extracts to manage weeds. Accumulating evidence indicates that some plant species possess potent allelochemicals that have great potential to be the ecofriendly natural herbicides. This review is intended to provide an overview of several allelopathic species that release some form of the potent allelochemical with the potential of being used in conventional or organic agriculture. Further, the review also highlights potential ways allelopathy could be utilized in conventional or organic agriculture and identify future research needs and prospects. It is anticipated that the phenomenon of allelopathy will be further explored as a weed management tool, and it can be a part of a sustainable, ecological, and integrated weed management system.

Journal ArticleDOI
11 Jan 2022-Agronomy
TL;DR: In this article , the authors evaluated the effects of organic amendments derived from vegetal residues on the yield and quality of tomato, and found that the highest yield was obtained with conventional mineral fertigation management, followed by vermicompost treatments at two different doses (3 and 9 kg m−1), with no statistical differences.
Abstract: The valorisation of vegetal waste as a source of crop nutrients constitutes a circular strategy to improve the sustainability of intensive horticultural production systems. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic amendments derived from vegetal residues on the yield and quality of tomato. The following fertilisation treatments were carried out: fresh vegetal residues (4 kg m−1), compost (3 kg m−1), and vermicompost at two different doses (3 and 9 kg m−1), all derived from previous tomato crop vegetal residues, an organic treatment with goat manure (3 kg m−1), and a control mineral fertigation treatment. The highest yield was obtained with conventional mineral fertigation management, followed by vermicompost treatments at two different doses (3 and 9 kg m−1), with no statistical differences. The organic treatments with fresh crop residues, compost and goat manure resulted in lower yield. Regarding quality parameters, the lycopene content was higher in the mineral fertilisation and vermicompost at 3 kg m−1 treatment, while the other antioxidants measured were more concentrated in tomatoes fertilised with vermicompost treatment at 9 kg m−1 and goat manure. The plant nutrient management with vermicompost is the best circular solution, as it allows to reintegrate the residues generated in previous crop cycles into the soil, obtaining a yield equal to chemical input management and tomatoes with high nutritional quality.