4756: Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming

Mäder, Paul; Fliessbach, Andreas; Dubois, David; Gunst, Lucie; Fried, Padrout and Niggli, Urs (2002) Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming. Science 31 May 2002(296):pp. 1694-1697.

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Summary

An understanding of agroecosystems is key to determining effective farming systems. Here we report results from a 21-year study of agronomic and ecological performance of biodynamic, bioorganic, and conventional farming systems in Central Europe. We found crop yields to be 20% lower in the organic systems, although input of fertilizer and energy was reduced by 34 to 53% and pesticide input by 97%. Enhanced soil fertility and higher biodiversity found in organic plots may render these systems less dependent on external inputs.

Document Language:	English
Subject Areas:	Soil > Soil quality > Soil biology Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services Soil > Soil quality
Research affiliation:	Switzerland > FiBL > Annual Crops Switzerland > Agroscope
Total budget (Euro):	0
Orgprints ID Number:	4756
Contact:	Fliessbach, Dr. Andreas
Deposited On:	09 February 2006
EPrint Type:	Journal paper
Published?:	Published
Online at:	http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/5573/1694?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Dubois&searchid=1139501569506_8775&FIRSTINDEX=10&journalcode=sci
Peer Review Status:	Peer-reviewed and accepted
Additional Publishing Information:	German translation available at http://orgprints.org/302/

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