5514: Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming
(2002) Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming. Science 296:pp. 1694-1697.
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Summary
An understanding of agroecosystems is a 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 |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | DOC-trial, soil, efficiency, long-term trial, farming system, Bodenfruchtbarkeit, DOK |
| Subject Areas: | Soil > Nutrient turnover Soil > Soil quality > Soil biology Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services |
| Research affiliation: | Switzerland > Agroscope > FAL Switzerland > FiBL > Soil Sciences |
| Total budget (Euro): | 0 |
| Orgprints ID Number: | 5514 |
| Contact: | Mäder, Paul |
| Deposited On: | 02 November 2005 |
| EPrint Type: | Journal paper |
| Published?: | Published |
| Online at: | http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5573/1694 |
| Peer Review Status: | Peer-reviewed and accepted |
| Related Links: | http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5573/1694, http://www.fibl.org/forschung/anbautechnik-einjaehrig/dok/index.php, http://www.fibl.org/archiv/pdf/maeder-et-al-2002-oel-dok-science.pdf, http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/data/296/5573/1694/DC1/1, http://www.fibl.org/english/research/annual-crops/dok/index.php |
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