?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.title=Organic+field+vegetable+production+-+baseline+monitoring+of+systems+with+different+fertility+building+strategies&rft.subject=+Education%2C+extension+and+communication&rft.subject=+Crop+husbandry&rft.subject=+Farm+economics&rft.description=The+organic+units+at+HRI+Wellesbourne+(Hunts+Mill)+and+at+HRI+Kirton+have+been+measured+throughout+their+conversion+as+part+of+Projects+OF0126T+and+OF0191.+This+project+will+have+the+overall+aim+of+providing+baseline+information+about+the+performance+of+organic+vegetable+cropping+systems+in+the+post-conversion+period.+It+will+address+both+agronomic+issues+(such+as+soil+fertility+and+the+selection+of+appropriate+fertility+building+strategies%2C+weed+control+and+pest+and+disease+incidence)+and+economics+of+production.+The+work+is+of+direct+relevance+to+DEFRA%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99s+aim+of+assisting+UK+farmers+to+meet+the+demand+for+organic+produce+and+to+provide+a+firm+scientific+basis+for+all+policy+decisions.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe+project+will+also+ensure+that+the+Hunts+Mill+and+Kirton+organic+units+remain+as+a+resource+for+future+organic+farming+research.+They+are+particularly+valuable+as+trial+grounds+because+they+are+available+together+with+detailed+background+information+about+cropping+and+performance+that+was+gathered+during+the+conversion+projects.+At+Hunts+Mill+the+three+basic+rotations+with+their+contrasting+approaches+to+fertility+building+will+be+continued.+The+cropping+at+Kirton%2C+on+a+much+more+fertile+soil%2C+will+mirror+one+of+these+strategies.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe+information+collected+will+be+collated+with+that+obtained+from+these+sites+within+the+earlier+conversion+projects+to+provide+comprehensive+documentation+for+the+sites.+A+number+of+measures+will+be+undertaken+to+raise+awareness+about+the+value+of+this+resource+including+workshops+and+open+days+(for+researchers%2C+advisors+and+growers)+and+by+forging+closer+links+with+other+organic+systems+studies.%0D%0A%0D%0AObjective%0D%0A%0D%0AThe+overall+aim+of+this+study+is+to+provide+continued+baseline+information+on+the+agronomic+and+economic+performance+during+the+post-conversion+period+for+organic+field+vegetable+production+systems.+There+will+be+the+following+specific+objectives%3A%0D%0A%0D%0A1)+To+complete+three+more+cropping+seasons+at+the+established+organic+HRI+units+(at+Hunts+Mill%2C+Wellesbourne+and+at+Kirton).%0D%0A%0D%0A2)+To+assess+agronomic+and+economic+performance+of+the+systems.+To+achieve+this+the+individual+areas+will+be+quantitatively+and+qualitatively+monitored+by+assessing%3A%0D%0A%0D%0A1.+Yield+of+cash+crops%0D%0A2.+Additions%2C+removals+and+returns+of+nutrients+and+organic+matter%0D%0A3.+Soil+nutrient+status%0D%0A4.+Weeds%0D%0A5.+Pests+and+diseases%0D%0A6.+Economic+performance+%0D%0A%0D%0A3)+To+make+these+resources+(i.e.+the+facilities+together+with+their+baseline+data+collected+within+this+and+previous+projects)+available+for+other+organic+farming+research+initiatives+and+to+increase+the+awareness+amongst+researchers%2C+advisors+and+growers+of+their+potential+value.&rft.type=Project+description&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.identifier=%7BProject%7D+Organic+field+vegetable+production+-+baseline+monitoring+of+systems+with+different+fertility+building+strategies.+Runs+2003+-+2006.+Project+Leader(s)%3A+ANON%2C%2C+Henry+Doubleday+Research+Association.+More+information+online+at+%3Chttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.gardenorganic.org.uk%2Forganicveg%2Fresearch%2Fshow_project.php%3Fid%3D3+%3Chttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.gardenorganic.org.uk%2Forganicveg%2Fresearch%2Fshow_project.php%3Fid%3D3%3E%3E.&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Forgprints.org%2F6696%2F