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Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming

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

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Document available online at: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5573/1694


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.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:DOC-trial, soil, efficiency, long-term trial, farming system, Bodenfruchtbarkeit, DOK
Subjects: Soil > Nutrient turnover
Soil > Soil quality > Soil biology
Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Research affiliation: Switzerland > Agroscope > ART - Reckenholz location
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Soil
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Sustainability > Climate
Related Links:http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5573/1694, https://orgprints.org/302/, http://www.fibl.org/en/switzerland/research/soil-sciences.html, http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/data/296/5573/1694/DC1/1
Deposited By: Mäder, Paul
ID Code:5514
Deposited On:02 Nov 2005
Last Modified:13 Jan 2021 13:05
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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