Organic farming

About: Organic farming is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 7254 publications have been published within this topic receiving 138030 citations. The topic is also known as: pertanian organik & organic farming.

Overview of organic amendments for management of plant-parasitic nematodes, with case studies from Florida.

Abstract: Organic amendments have been widely used for management of plant-parasitic nematodes. Relatively rapid declines in nematode population levels may occur when decomposing materials release toxic compounds, while longer-term effects might include increases in nematode antagonists. Improved crop nutrition and plant growth following amendment use may lead to tolerance of plant-parasitic nematodes. Results depend on a great variety of factors such as material used, processing/composting of material, application rate, test arena, crop rotation and agronomic practices, soil type, climate, and other environmental factors. Reasons for variable performance and interpretation of results from amendment studies are discussed. Case studies of amendments for nematode management are reviewed from Florida, where composts and crop residues are the most frequently used amendments. Plant growth was often improved by amendment application, free-living nematodes (especially bacterivores) were often stimulated, but suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes was inconsistent. Amendments were generally not as effective as soil fumigation with methyl bromide for managing root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), and often population levels or galling of root-knot nematodes in amended plots did not differ from those in non-amended control plots. While amendments may improve plant growth and stimulate soil food webs, additional study and testing are needed before they could be used reliably for management of plant-parasitic nematodes under Florida conditions.

Nutritional value of crops as influenced by organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments

Abstract: Worldwide attention in agricultural and in nutritional science is diverted to the controversy concerning ‘Quality’ versus ‘Quantity’ in connection with the alternatives of ‘Organic Manuring’ or ‘Chemical Fertilizing’ in relation to nutritional values in crops and their significance to human health. Some contribution towards classification of these problems is presented by the statistically significant results of our 12 years' experiment on two soils, fen and sand, including different organic manures and chemical fertilizers, namely 1) ‘Stable Manure’, 2) ‘Biodynamic Compost’, 3) ‘Stable Manure + NPK’, and 4) ‘NPK’. The difficulties in getting enough organic manures have no bearing on the subject of these investigations. The same is true for any considerations of economics. It could be shown by the aid of tables and annotated graphs that organic farming with 1) and 2) gave rise to considerable decreases in yield of 20 to 46% on fen, and of 28 to 56% on sand, in 8 crops grown in rotation or in succession within a year (2 crops/year). The losses in yield have been calculated in relation to means of yields given by 4)=100. These losses in yield the organic farmer must bear at his own expense, unless the nutritive value of his organically grown crops would rise to such an extent that low yield would be financially compensated by a higher price for his crops. That the consumer would benefit by a higher biological value of such products of 1) and 2) is beyond question, as confirmed by the following data based on 12 years' chemical investigations. Crops (both on fen and sand) manured with 1) and 2) have in comparison with 4)=100 contents on average higher. On the other hand detrimental and/or undesired constituents in crops show — due to organic manuring with 1) and 2) — average contents diminished in Finally let me comment upon the analytical results on behalf of the consumer in a somewhat practical way. Vegetables including potatoes are generally heated, by cooking in the household and restaurants or by blanching in processing plants. Their water-soluble constituents, minerals and trace elements, are not at all affected by a careful heating as usual, but on the other hand soluble vitamins of the B-complex and Vitamin C are affected but only to a certain extent. However, all these water-soluble plants constituents are strongly diminished in the food as eaten, if the cooking or the blanching water gets lost by pouring off. No doubt, using ‘hot pot’ diets (‘right across the kitchen garden’) losses from vegetables and potatoes in minerals and trace elements are entirely eliminated and those in water-soluble vitamins are only limited to destruction by heating. Therefore it may be concluded, that solely those diets including the cooking water or steam blanched products will justify the greater expense of a product richer in nutrients. Otherwise it would be rather illusive to claim for low yielding organically grown crops of high nutritional value, when the latter is carelessly wasted by foulty preparation ((3, pages 174–182; 187), 16, 17, 18, 20).

A Review of Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture in Northern India

Abstract: In the post independence period, the most important challenge in India has been to produce enough food for the growing population. Hence, high-yielding varieties are being used with infusion of irrigation water, fertilizers, or pesticides. This combination of high-yielding production technology has helped the country develop a food surplus as well as contributing to concerns of soil health, environmental pollution, pesticide toxicity, and sustainability of agricultural production. Scientists and policy planners are, therefore, reassessing agricultural practices which relied more on biological inputs rather than heavy usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming can provide quality food without adversely affecting the soil’s health and the environment; however, a concern is whether large-scale organic farming will produce enough food for India’s large population. Certified organic products including all varieties of food products including basmati rice, pulses, honey, tea, spices, coffee, oilseeds, fruits, cereals, herbal medicines, and their value-added products are produced in India. Non edible organic products include cotton, garments, cosmetics, functional food products, body care products, and similar products. The production of these organic crops and products is reviewed with regard to sustainable agriculture in northern India.