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.

Economic Performance and Energy Intensiveness on Organic and Conventional Farms in the Corn Belt: A Preliminary Comparison

Abstract: Recent energy and environmental problems in U.S. agriculture have stimulated interest in alternative technologies or systems of agricultural production. Large-scale, mechanized organic farms that use little or no inorganic fertilizers or chemical pesticides may be one such alternative. The crop production on fourteen matched pairs of organic and conventional Corn Belt farms was studied to determine the relative value of crop output, net returns, energy intensiveness, and labor requirements. The results of this preliminary study suggest that organic farming warrants more intensive research.

Assessment of Farmer Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions toward Bird Conservation on Organic and Conventional Florida Farms

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.

First evidence for a major cover crop effect on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic maize growth

Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are increasingly used in organic cropping systems to increase yields. Although cover crops are largely used in organic farming, there is little knowledge on the impact of cover crops on native mycorrhizal fungi. Here, we studied the effect of cover crop diversity on mycorrhizal colonization in subsequent organic maize cultivars differing in the level of genetic diversity. Experiments were conducted from 2010 to 2012 in a Mediterranean environment. First Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), a mix of seven cover crop species (Mix), and natural vegetation (Control) were cultivated as winter cover crops. Then, an organically and a conventionally bred maize hybrid and three organically bred composite cross populations were cultivated. Mycorrhizal propagule dynamics were measured. Results at juvenile stage show a higher mycorrhizal colonization in maize plants grown after hairy vetch, of 35.0 %, and Mix cover crops, of 29.4 %, compared to Indian mustard, of 20.9 %, and Control, of 21.3 %. The potential of soil mycorrhization decreased of 56.5 % following Indian mustard, higher than that of other cover crops, of 34.1–47.3 %. This finding could be explained by the release of isothiocyanates in soils. Moreover, maize shoot biomass, nitrogen, and phosphorus content across all maize genotypes at juvenile stage increased with mycorrhizal colonization. These findings provide the first evidence of the greater role played by cover crop identity in the enhancement of early mycorrhizal colonization of the subsequent crop and of soil mycorrhizal activity.