type: project
datestamp: 2005-11-22
lastmod: 2009-08-20 14:28:48
metadata_visibility: show
title: DOK-Versuch (Langzeituntersuchung zu biologisch-dynamischen, organisch-biologischen und konventionellen Landbausystemen)
subjects: 5soil
subjects: 7biodiversity
full_text_status: public
keywords: System comparison, bio-dynamic farming, organic farming, conventional farming, soil fertility, soil quality, carbon cycling, mycorrhizal symbiosis, system performance, long-term, P cycling, N dynamics, Bodenfruchtbarkeit, DOK
abstract: An understanding of agro-ecosystems is key to determining effective farming systems. Here we report the 21-year study of agronomic and ecological performance of bio-dynamic, bio-organic, and conventional farming systems in Central Europe. We found crop yields to be 20 % lower in the organic systems, although input of fertiliser and energy was reduced by 34 – 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.
Definition of the problem:
	Soils are well buffered systems and an adaptation of the soil - plant relationship from high-input to low external input farming practices may last decades. For instance, soil nutrient stocks are frequently huge in European soils and a normalisation after conversion to organic low-input systems needs time. Also the adaptation of the soil micro-flora to altered chemical soil conditions presumably occurs only after a prolonged period of time upon conversion from high-input to low-input farming. Therefore, long-term trials are essential to assess the agronomic performance of low-input production systems and a focus should be put on studying the underlying soil processes.
Project aims:
-	to analyse the long-term agronomic performance of a Swiss wheat cultivar under organic and integrated farming systems (continued) 
-	to investigate the interrelations of soil properties and plant growth in different farming systems
Experiments:
-	to perform a system comparison experiment with organic and integrated farming (continued, running since 1978)
-	to assess soil chemical, physical and biological properties
-	to determine nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics related processes in the soil-plant –microorganisms - system
-	to study the soil - plant interface
Methodology:
Soil microbial biomass analyses, enzyme activities, characterisation of microbial populations (Biolog, PLFA, DNA), assessment of mycorrihizal root colonisation and diversity by molecular tools, isotope tracer and dilution techniques.
institution: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), CH-5070 Frick
department: Annual Crop Production
citation: {Project} DOK: DOK-Versuch (Langzeituntersuchung zu biologisch-dynamischen, organisch-biologischen und konventionellen Landbausystemen). [DOK Trial (long-term trial comparing bio-dynamic, organic, conventional).] Runs 1978 - 2011. Project Leader(s): Mäder, Paul and Fliessbach, Andreas, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), CH-5070 Frick. More information online at <http://www.fibl.org/de/schweiz/forschung/bodenwissenschaften. <http://www.fibl.org/de/schweiz/forschung/bodenwissenschaften.>>.
document_url: http://orgprints.org/6259/3/fibl-projekt-bodenwissenchaften-bodenfruchtbarkeit-DOK.pdf
document_url: http://orgprints.org/6259/4/fibl-projekt-bodenwissenchaften-bodenfruchtbarkeit-DOK-en.pdf