Langzeitversuch Burgrain: Ertrag und Qualität von biologisch und integriert angebauten Ackerkulturen im Vergleich

Summary

The effect of integrated and organic farming on crop yield as well as on environmental and economic performance was investigated in a large scale field experiment near Lucerne (Switzerland), which was running for 18 years. Crop yield in organically managed fields was, depending on crop species, between 3% and 36% lower compared to conventionally managed fields. Only slight variations in crop quality were observed between the farming systems, probably as a result of the high nitrogen mineralization potential of the soils in this experiment. Our results show that organic farming on fertile soils provides good yields and is – under the given Swiss agricultural policy – economically beneficial.