%0 Generic
%A Mäder, Paul
%A Fliessbach, Andreas
%A Dubois, David
%A Gunst, Lucie
%A Fried, Padruot
%A Niggli, Urs
%D 2002
%F orgprints:5514
%K DOC-trial, soil, efficiency, long-term trial, farming system, Bodenfruchtbarkeit, DOK
%P 1694-1697
%T Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming
%U http://orgprints.org/5514/
%V 296
%X 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.