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A critical assessment of organic farming-and-food assertions with particular respect to the UK and the potential environmental benefits of no-till agriculture
Abstract
There is currently considerable discussion about the merits of particular forms of agriculture. The discussion has been generated by excess food production in the EC, continuing public disquiet over the use of chemicals in food production and political agitation. Much of the debate concerns the merits or otherwise of organic agriculture which is often seen by the public as producing food free of chemicals and being more environmentally friendly. This article examines these notions critically dealing with each of the individual claims frequently made for organic agriculture. The article concludes that in the UK, at least, when problems with agriculture emerge they usually hinge around poor management not mode of agriculture. In environmental terms no-till farming currently seems to be better than others. The benefits of holistic thinking by farmers are indicated.
... Referring to the already mentioned study by Mäder et al. (2002a), Trewavas (2004) seriously questioned the claim that because of higher microorganism content organic soils are more fertile and criticized that Mäder and colleagues "are trying to impose an inappropriate ecological and artificial supposition on fertility on which frankly there is no evidence" (p. 776). ...
... 776). Trewavas (2004) claimed that because of the underlying interaction between plants and soil, the extent to which plants find the soil they grow in fertile ultimately determines yield, which, he argued, is higher in conventional systems. He further generally criticized the thinking behind organic agriculture, which in his view had been outdated in many cases for 30 -40 years; and illustrated this by stating that a study by Pimentel et al. (1995), on which Mäder et al. (2002b) (and later also Niggli et al. (2009a)) based their assumptions on lower soil erosion through organic agriculture was "grossly flawed" (Trewavas 2004, p. 776). ...
... This leads to the notion that an expansion of agricultural land is necessary to maintain the current food production levels (Goklany 2002;Trewavas 2004), which has been considered "as the most serious environmental impact posed by organic farming" by Kirchmann et al. (2007, p. 970). Several environmental dimensions, including biodiversity loss, nutrient leaching and greenhouse gas emissions, have been found controversially discussed in connection with the expansion of agricultural land or the conversion from natural to arable land, as will be shown below. ...
Die Umweltwirkungen des ökologischen Landbaus (ÖL) werden seit vielen Jahren kontrovers in der Wissenschaft diskutiert. Weiterhin gibt es gegensätzliche Ansichten, ob der ökologische Landbau einen Beitrag zur Bewältigung der umwelt- und ressourcenpolitischen Herausforderungen leisten kann und seine Förderung ein geeignetes Instrument zur Lösung der Probleme darstellt. Bisher hat sich hierzu noch keine eindeutige Sichtweise durchgesetzt. Wie ist dieser Umstand zu erklären? Und liegt gegebenenfalls ein Lock-in des wissenschaftlichen Diskurses vor? Ziel der Arbeit ist es, den relevanten wissenschaftlichen Diskurs nachzuzeichnen und mögliche Erklärungen abzuleiten, warum die Umweltwirkungen weiterhin unterschiedlich bewertet werden. Dazu wurde eine qualitative Inhaltsanalyse mit einer Stichprobe von n=93 wissenschaftlichen Publikationen durchgeführt. Es konnten zwei Hauptdiskussionslinien herausgearbeitet werden: Zum einen geht es um die Frage, ob bei der Bewertung der Umweltwirkungen zwangsläufig auch Aspekte der Ernährungssicherung einzubeziehen sind (thematischer Betrachtungsrahmen); zum anderen, inwiefern die Netto-Umweltwirkungen bzw. mögliche Verlagerungseffekte in Folge eines niedrigeren Ertragsniveaus zu berücksichtigen sind (räumlicher Betrachtungsrahmen). In diesem Kontext wird auch die Frage nach der angemessenen Anwendung verschiedener Bezugseinheiten (Fläche, Ertrag) in Nachhaltigkeitsbewertungen eingehend analysiert. Zudem wird die Rolle des oftmals unzureichend reflektierten Nachhaltigkeitsbegriffs verschiedener landwirtschaftlicher Paradigmen durchleuchtet. Es wird geschlussfolgert, dass die polarisierende Debatte unter anderem durch die binäre Ausgangsfrage (Ist der ÖL besser als die konventionelle Landwirtschaft?) begründet ist und bisher unzureichend beleuchtete Aspekte, wie die Wahl der Bezugseinheiten oder normative Grundannahmen in der wissenschaftlichen Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung, in den Diskursen verstärkt berücksichtigt werden sollten.
... Organic farming was originally promoted as a holistic farming system aimed at improving soil health, and environmental and social aspects of agricultural production (Seufert et al., 2017). In recent decades, its conventionalisation has led to the intensification and specialisation of organic production (Buck et al., 1997;Darnhofer et al., 2010), and several studies have questioned the environmental benefits and agronomic viability of organic farming (Seufert et al., 2017;Trewavas, 2001Trewavas, , 2004Tuomisto et al., 2012). ...
... There are also agronomic limitations to the widespread implementation of organic farming, of which weed management is identified by organic farmers as one of the main constraints on organic arable vegetable production (Turner et al., 2007). For example, the dependence on frequent soil tillage for controlling weeds negatively affects the sustainability of soil management in organic systems (Trewavas, 2001(Trewavas, , 2004. This is because tillage is very energy-consuming and increases fossil fuel consumption (Alluvione et al., 2011). ...
... energetic efficiency, ground beetles, potentially recyclable energy, rove beetles, spiders, weed control, yield Another important constraint is related to the gap in crop yield between organic and conventional farming systems (Ponisio et al., 2015). Some studies argue that organic farming is less efficient as it requires more land to produce the same amount of food as conventional farming, and that more fossil fuel is required for weed control (Trewavas, 2001(Trewavas, , 2004. Additionally, under organic farming, the adoption of less-intensive tillage management has been shown to potentially reduce the cash crop yield and fruit quality (i.e. the marketable parameters; Ciaccia, Montemurro, et al., 2015;Diacono et al., 2017). ...
Although organic farming was originally promoted as an alternative farming system to address agronomic, environmental and ecological issues, its conventionalisation has led to an intensification and specialisation of production. In the light of this, several studies have questioned the environmental benefits of organic farming as well as its agronomic viability. Thus, there is a need to improve organic vegetable systems to reduce their environmental impact without affecting their productivity. To tackle this challenge, European farmers and researchers have recently started to focus on agroecological service crops (ASCs). However, few studies have simultaneously evaluated the agronomic, environmental and ecological aspects of ASC management under different European pedo‐climatic conditions.
We evaluated effects of the ASC management strategies—no‐till roller crimping (NT‐RC) and green manuring (T‐GM) on cropping system performance using agronomic, environmental and ecological indicators—to exemplify the need for multidimensional analysis to understand management implications for addressing environmental and agronomic challenges. We combined the results from 11 organic vegetable field trials conducted in seven European countries over a period of 2 years to test for general trends.
Our results provide solid evidence that NT‐RC management across different pedo‐climatic conditions in Europe enhances the activity density of ground and rove beetles and improves both the potential energy recycling within the system and weed control. However, in NT‐RC plots, lower cash crop yield and quality, energetic efficiency of production and activity density of spiders were observed compared to T‐GM.
Synthesis and applications. Multidimensional analyses using agronomic, environmental and ecological indicators are required to understand the implications of agricultural management in agroecosystem functioning. Introducing agroecological service crops combined with the use of no‐till roller crimping is a promising strategy for improving agronomic performance (e.g. fewer weeds) and reducing environmental (e.g. increasing the potentially recyclable energy) and ecological (e.g. enhancing the activity density of beneficial taxa such as ground and rove beetles) impacts. However, our study also indicates a need for agronomic and environmental improvements while promoting a wider acceptance of this strategy.
... The lower yield of organic agriculture has been addressed as a drawback when coming to the issue of feeding the present and future world population at an affordable price (Trewavas, 2001(Trewavas, , 2004Conway, 2012;Seufert et al., 2012;Tuomisto et al., 2012;Meemken and Qaim, 2018;Schrama et al., 2018). On average, crop yields under organic management are generally reported to be 20%À30% lower than the conventional counterpart, depending on the crops, agroecological context and practices (Gomiero et al., 2011b;Seufert et al., 2012;de Ponti et al., 2012;Ponisio et al., 2015;Kniss et al., 2016;Lechenet et al., 2017). ...
... Concerning economic performance, there are different views. Some authors maintain that organic farms, due to the low yield, cannot be economically competitive (e.g., Trewavas, 2001Trewavas, , 2004Meemken and Qaim, 2018). Other scholars argue that the yield gap can be reduced, and that externalities produced by intensive agricultural practices should be accounted for to provide for the real cost of food (e.g., Pimentel et al., 2005;Reganold, 2012;Crowder and Reganold, 2015). ...
... Some scholars (e.g., Seufert et al., 2012;Ramankutty et al., 2019) argue that rather than debating the case of organic versus conventional agriculture, costs and benefits of different management options should be gauged, and possibly hybrid systems (including the possible benefits coming from GM crops) can be envisaged aiming at producing more food at affordable prices, while ensuring livelihoods for farmers, and reduce the environmental costs of agriculture. Limitation of organic farming should also be considered (e.g., demand for more land, price, scaling up of the productive system, impact of pesticides used in organic agriculture (Trewavas, 2004;Kirchmann andBergström, 2008, Guthman, 2014;Kirchmann et al., 2016). Some authors suggested that a middle ground between organic and conventional agriculture may represent a sustainable option (Elliot and Mumford, 2002;Ronald and Adamchak, 2008). ...
In this chapter, some critical issues concerning intensive agricultural practices are addressed; it is highlighted the urgency to turn to more sustainable farming practices and less impacting food habits. The potential role of organic agriculture is discussed as a mean to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment. The pros and cons of organic agriculture are also addressed concerning the sustainability of the whole food system and society. The need to adopt new and more sophisticated tools to carry on sustainability analyses of the food system is also addressed.
... A nivel mundial, el uso de este sistema de laboreo del suelo ha aumentado considerablemente, contabilizándose 105 millones de hectáreas en 2009, significando un crecimiento del 233% a nivel mundial en 10 años (Ibid). Esto se debe a que otorga diversos beneficios, los cuales han sido expuestos por Trewavas (2004) y Karlen et al. (2013) como mejorar propiedades del suelo y del cultivo, además de favorecer en el ámbito económico. Sin embargo, algunos antecedentes mostrarían que el rendimiento de trigo y otros cereales en algunas ocasiones, puede llegar a ser menor en este sistema si se compara con la labranza convencional, observándose una interacción entre el sistema de labranza y el año, dependiendo del tipo de suelo y la cantidad y distribución de las precipitaciones (Alakukku et al., 2009;Shertzer, 2013). ...
... Otro aspecto importante es el laboreo del suelo a través de diferentes tipos de labranza, siendo la labranza convencional y la cero labranza las más relevantes. Esta última ha aumentado considerablemente en los últimos años (Soane et al., 2012) por poseer una serie de beneficios en relación a la labranza convencional, de los cuales se destaca la reducción en los costos de producción, la disminución de la erosión, la acumulación de carbono y el mejoramiento de la nutrición, la estructura (Trewavas, 2004), el drenaje y la difusividad de gases en el suelo (Nakajima y Lal, 2014). No obstante, gran parte de los estudios realizados en sistemas de labranza han sido conducidos en suelos de texturas francas-gruesas. ...
... Los autores determinaron que los rendimientos en los dos sistemas de labranza no presentaron diferencias significativas cuando las precipitaciones fueron cercanas al promedio anual entre 1970-2000. Durante los periodos secos (2006 y 2007) se observaron valores de rendimiento significativamente mayores en cero labranza, lo que coincide con lo dicho por otros autores como Trewavas (2004). Por otro lado, en años lluviosos (2004) el rendimiento de trigo en cero labranza fue significativamente menor debido a que el exceso de humedad en el suelo impidió el normal crecimiento del cultivo, afectando el rendimiento. ...
... For instance, Brassica vegetable crops have been sown in early season to avoid attack by cabbage flies. Biocontrol methods such as BT and Spinosad are used for controlling DBM (diamond back moth) pest (Trewavas 2004). • High nutrition value: In comparison to agricultural products from conventional farming, organically produced goods are safer and healthier. ...
... They are subjected to leaching thus contaminating groundwater. Compost which is a substitute of chemical fertilizers decreases the phosphorus and nitrogen runoff, thereby making water less polluted (Trewavas 2004;Wolkowski 2003). Organic farming includes crop rotation as one of the practices which enhances water infiltration. ...
The most significant industry, or the foundation of the Indian economy, is agriculture. After green revolution, there has been a significant increase in agriculture with the objective to feed the world’s expanding population. Due to this, farmers are depending on excessive utilization of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, which had a detrimental effect on the environment causing degradation of fertile soil which can be triggered by an imbalance in the health of the soil and also destroying beneficial microorganisms. Excessive usage of synthetic fertilizer’s also affects the health of farmers. To overcome the issues of health and soil fertility, strategies like natural and organic farming are practiced and applied. Both natural and organic farming are chemical free with no use of chemical fertilizers or pesticide farming system. It encourages farmers to grow healthy and chemical-free food.
... al., 2007). Though the organic movement has regarded with some scepticism (Trewavas, 2001 andTrewavas, 2004) it has strong marketing appeal (Cornish, 2002) and it is one of the fastest growing agribusiness sectors in the world. The organically cultivated products are more preferred by the consumers as because of the knowledge of adverse effect of chemical pesticides and fertilizers to the health of Mankind. ...
... al., 2007). Though the organic movement has regarded with some scepticism (Trewavas, 2001 andTrewavas, 2004) it has strong marketing appeal (Cornish, 2002) and it is one of the fastest growing agribusiness sectors in the world. The organically cultivated products are more preferred by the consumers as because of the knowledge of adverse effect of chemical pesticides and fertilizers to the health of Mankind. ...
In organic farming improvement of agro-ecosystem is the prime importance to sustain and improve the soil health to make the soil capable of supplying all the essential nutrients to the crop for increase the productivity. Agriculture in North Eastern Hilly Region of India is organic by default. The farmers of the North Eastern Hill Region depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Most of the farmers of this hilly region are practicing organic farming with indigenous knowledge system since time immemorial. The production technology following the improved method of crop cultivation like compost preparation, use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, crop rotation with leguminous crop etc. should be popularized in this region for successful organic farming in the North Eastern Hilly Region of India. So, various research and extension activities are required to introduction and promotion of various low cost technology of organic inputs production in the farmers’ level so that organic farming may be converted to self-reliance practice and become suitable and attracted for both resource-poor and resource-rich farmers by taking the market strategy suitable for local farmers in the village level itself. This paper attempts to highlights the present status of organic farming in North Eastern Hilly Region of India and to cite some recommendation for the success of organic farming in this area for the livelihood and the economic upliftment of the Region.
Keywords: organic farming, agro-ecosystem, agriculture, farmer, bio-fertilizers.
... Synthetic fertilizers, on the other hand, take less time to degrade and can be applied immediately, culminating in rapid nutrient release and enhanced plant growth (Sharma & Chetani, 2017). Meanwhile, organic agriculture has been criticized as a trigger to nutrient stress that has been found to be less efficient than conventional agriculture in land and resource use (Trewavas, 2004). Slow mineralization can create stress on plant nutrients (Passoni & Borin, 2009). ...
... Organic farming incorporates activity, innovation, and research to enhance the natural environment and to cultivate a fair partnership with those concerned with development, sustainability, and human health (Mary, 2014;Willer et al., 2013). However, organic farming has been criticized for stimulating nutrient concentrations that are less effective in land use and resource use than conventional farming (Trewavas, 2004). It soon became evident that the capacity of organic farming, as a high yield substitute, could best be accomplished by planting and processing crops under organic farming and that transitioning to organic farming system is an improvement to reach sustainable agriculture (Barad et al., 2012;Damse et al., 2014;Lammerts van Bueren, 2002;Murphy et al., 2007;Passoni & Borin, 2009;Stavelikova, 2008). ...
There is a growing interest in raising yields of organic farming to provide more nutritious food for a growing population. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) genotypes cultivated in a variety of environments therefore the yield of garlic can vary considerably between different regions of production. In this research, 21 garlic genotypes were evaluated for their tolerance to nutrient stress under the organic system. Nutrient stress was mediated by organic implementation where two nutrient sources were applied in a newly reclaimed soil; nutrient source‐A (plant‐derived compost) and B (plant–animal‐derived compost). Nutrient stress was adjusted in line with levels, A‐1 and B‐1 (100% N) and A‐2 and B‐2 (50% N). Significant differences were observed among garlic genotypes and white‐skin genotypes displayed a much greater tolerance for increasing stress level (A‐2 and B‐2) than colored‐skin genotypes. The principal component analysis showed that fresh and cured yields had the largest variances and ranged from 0.9803 to 5.036 t/feddan (fed.) and from 0.633 to 3.445 t/fed., respectively. Elwady and Clone‐5 provided the highest fresh yield (4.496 and 4.135 t/fed.) while the highest cured yield was produced from Clone‐5 and Clone‐22C (2.561 and 2.425 t/fed.). Elwady had the largest N use efficiency and Egyptian improved the agronomic efficiency of N. Elwady, Clone‐5, and Egyptian gave the highest stress tolerance indices. Cluster analysis clarified the genotype‐specific existence of nutritional stress. Cluster II was found to contain a group of genotypes, Elwady, Clone‐5, and Egyptian which closely developed high traits under stress conditions. This genotypes group is a good candidate for organic farming.
... The rejection of synthetic chemicals is one of the main drivers of choice when people choose to buy organically produced foods [4]. And in particular in Ireland, 68 % of respondents to an An Bord Bia survey stated 'Free from chemicals and therefore healthier' when asked what they believe is the main benefit of eating organic foods [5]. ...
... It is also noted in the review of the Irish organic food market that consumers may choose organic products not for food safety, but because the non-use of pesticides supports animal welfare, biodiversity and soil health [14]. Studies have also noted the prevalence of other contaminants, in particular natural contaminants such as mycotoxins and pathogenic bacteria in organic foods and these should be taken in to consideration in any comparison of the safety of these two types of food propagation [4,7]. Pussemier L, et al. [7] states that natural toxicants need to be better identified in organic production and studies by Oliveira M, et al. [15] and Weiβner et al. [16] have measured higher levels, albeit safe levels, of pathogenic bacteria in organic foods [7,15,16]. ...
Irish organic consumers believe that organic foods are a
healthier choice due to the lack of synthetic pesticides used in
organic agricultural practices; however, few scientific studies have
shown that organic samples are void of any pesticide residues. Nine
different fruit and vegetable types of organic and conventional
origin were sampled from large supermarkets. Analysis for 465
pesticide residues was carried out using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS
analysis. Of the 27 organic samples tested, 15 contained one or more
detected pesticide residues, with one of these being above the limit of
quantification (LOQ) for the method, imazalil in organic onion, 11.13
ng/g. Of the conventional samples 17 of the 27 samples contained one
or more residues. Twelve of the residues detected in conventional
samples were above the LOQ with concentrations ranging from 9.84
to 154.10 ng/g. A similar number of organic (15) and conventional
(17) samples tested positive for detectable residues, however the
number of residues detected was higher in conventional (43) than in
organic (29), and the concentration of these residues were higher. It
is concluded that it cannot be said that organic fruits and vegetables
are void of pesticides based on the results of this study.
... Antioxidants are produced as a form of natural plant protection, which may explain their higher concentration in organic vegetables. However, studies should take into account the various factors that can alter the nutritional quality of a food, such as harvest time, climate, soil characteristics, environmental conditions, and cooking processes (Trewavas, 2004). ...
... Ensuring the legality of coffee products is crucial to meet food safety standards and legal requirements. This assures consumers that the product is safe for consumption and has been processed in compliance with regulations (Trewavas, 2004). Coffee product legality may involve a Business Identification Number (NIB), Halal Certificate, Home Industry Food Production Certificate (SPP-IRT), and permits from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) for the domestic market. ...
The quality of coffee, including taste and aroma, is determined mainly by the timeliness of harvesting and post-harvest processes. The quality of Robusta coffee produced in Tenggorong Hamlet, Gumantar Village, North Lombok Regency is still relatively low because the harvesting of coffee beans is carried out using the strip picking method and not the selective picking method. The post-harvest method is still inappropriate, especially in the section for producing green beans. This extension aimed to improve the quality of Gumantar Village coffee through activities to increase farmers' knowledge and capacity in conducting harvest and post-harvest processes. Marketing facilitation activities were also carried out using various applicable process standards. The results and evaluation of the activities showed an increase in coffee farmers' knowledge and capacity in selective picking and post-harvest coffee processing. Coffee processing methods that determine the taste, such as green bean preparation and roasting, have also been well understood. The facilitation has resulted in a business identification number (NIB), label and packaging logo with 'Sangakopi' product brand rights, halal certificate, and distribution permit. It is expected that 'Sangakopi' products will enter the NTB Mall shortly.
... As the consumer's health concern continues to rise, the demand for safe, non-toxic food has increased, resulting in the agricultural industry adapting to meet organic consumers' needs [24] [14]. Consumers' acceptance of organic production methods makes food safe and environmentally friendly that non-toxic residues like conventional agricultural practices [1] , [7], [30]. According to FiBL & IFOAM -Organic International found that in 2018 the global organic farming area was 69.8 million hectares, accounting for 1.40 percent of the world's agricultural land. ...
... They hold a significant position for the hemicryptophytes; their location on the edge of the fields encourages their invasion of the cultivated plots once the tillage ceases. However, the high organic matter content and good structural quality of the soils provide justification for therophytes and hemi-cryptophytes abundance [19,20].The geophytes ranked third with preferential vegetative multiplication are clearly abundant in poorly worked soils [21]. Changes in tillage and crop management strongly impact weed community diversity and structure [22]. ...
Weeds are a major threat to crop yield and quality but an important component of the agro-system. Estimating the response of weed species to cultural practices is crucial to selecting weed control methods. The study was realized in Setif, a Mediterranean semi-arid region in northeastern Algeria, on two fields (Beni-Fouda and Rmada) practicing the direct seeding since 2008 The experiment was carried out over two campaign years (2015-2017) to examine the effects of rotations compared to monoculture on weed diversity and abundance. Among 40 species inventoried , dicotyledons are the best represented, with 85% (34/40) of the species, belonging to 15 families, the Asteraceae have nearly 27.5% of the total inventoried flora. Monocotyledons are composed of just the Poaceae, comprising 15% of the total flora. Between the two fields, the diversity indices show controversial values and a great dissimilarity is noted. The wheat-crop and rotations at Beni-Fouda (W/T/L/V) were distinguished by both high species diversity and low dominance, while the same treatments (W/T/L/P) at the Rmada site showed strong dominance with low diversity. The results indicate potential changes in the dominance of weed species between the two fields and the impact of the rotations on weeds is insignificant.
... It was observed that the yield gap between organic and conventional production is significant, and organic farming stands nowhere in meeting the demand for wheat to sustain the global population. Consequently, it could be stated that organic farming is the best way for enhancing soil quality and providing adequate nutrition and suppression of chemicals and pests in food crops (Badgley et al. 2007;Horrigan et al. 2002), but the conventional farming system is the most exemplary method for providing adequate global food supply by intense use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and chemicals (Trewavas 2001(Trewavas , 2004Connor 2008). However, later studies (Muller et al. 2017;Ponisio et al. 2015) explored that the yield from organic farming can match the conventional farming method under specific agricultural conditions like management practices and types of select crops. ...
The study investigated the scientific output, collaboration, and impression of research on organic farming due to the increasing interest of commoners in food quality and sustainability. Efforts to enhance agroecological sustainability call for assessing the structural overview of the numerous research works done so far to understand the growth in diverse subject areas in organic farming. The scientometric method is considered for analyzing 639 documents extracted from the Scopus and WoS online database from 2010 till January, 2023. The pulled-out data is analyzed via VOSviewer and RStudio, revealing prominent contributing authors (Groot J. with eight documents and 186 citations under Wageningen University and Research), maximum cited references (R Core Team & R lang env. 2019), the significant collaboration between the countries (USA with Netherlands), and co-occurrence of author keywords (“organic farming” occurring 148 times) using analysis of co-authorship, co-occurrence, and citation count. Furthermore, as the existing literature suggests a substantial advancement in organic cultivation in India, thus, an immediate evaluation of its performance is necessitated. Hence, the current study performed the bibliographic coupling of documents, sources, authors, and global collaboration of India. The study found that a total of 241 Indian authors have contributed 102 documents in collaboration with 54 nations towards organic farming which are available in 39 different sources under the Scopus and WoS databases. This study helps to comprehend the recent growth trend of organic agricultural research and can enhance academic as well as research and development policies based on brainstorming to action formulation.
... No entanto, apesar das evidências dos benefícios advindos da agricultura orgânica, a literatura que versa sobre o assunto apresenta divergências. Alguns autores afirmam que a agricultura orgânica é uma ideologia em vez de uma abordagem científica para a agricultura, pois é algo difícil de ser implementado de maneira global, sem prejudicar a oferta mundial de alimentos (Kirchmann & Thorvaldsson, 2000;Rigby & Càceres, 2001;Trewavas, 2001Trewavas, , 2004Edwards-Jones & Howells, 2001;De Gregori, 2003). Outros apresentam uma crítica mais branda, com base na preocupação de que nem todas as estratégias de agricultura orgânica podem ser aplicadas globalmente e sem muitos ajustes locais, e devido a essa falta de coerência, eles sugerem que esta abordagem pode levar a um agravamento dos problemas agrícolas (Tilman, Cassman, Matson, Naylor & Polasky, 2002;Elliot & Mumford, 2002;Wu & Sardo, 2010). ...
Este estudo busca analisar como a agricultura orgânica afeta o valor agregado da agricultura. Para isso, estimou-se um modelo econométrico de dados em painel, utilizando os métodos de Efeitos Fixos, Efeito Fixo Corrigido e GLS (Generalized Least Square), com dados de 1995 a 2018. Os resultados demonstraram que práticas associadas à agricultura orgânica causam impactos positivos e significativos no valor agregado dos produtos agrícolas, enquanto práticas relacionadas ao uso de ações não sustentáveis e degradantes impactam negativamente e significativamente no valor agregado dos produtos. Verificou-se ainda que, práticas da agricultura convencional, como uso de fertilizantes e pesticidas, apesar de apresentar um impacto positivo no valor agregado do produto agrícola, este foi significativamente inferior ao uso de práticas orgânicas.
... Though the movement of organic has faced some skepticism (Trewavas, 2004) it has strong marketing opportunities and one of the world's fastest-growing agribusiness sectors (Cornish, 2002). The global organic food market, driven by increasing health consciousness among consumers, has experienced rapid growth, expanding from $259.06 billion in 2022 to $294.54 billion in 2023, with a 13.7 per cent CAGR (Anonymous, 2022-23). ...
... Organic farming is an agricultural production system that optimizes the health and productivity of agroecosystems naturally through a holistic and integrated approach. This system aims to produce food and fiber that meet quality standards and sustainability requirements to fulfill the needs of society (Trewavas, 2004;Reganold, 2016). ...
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to the need for Indonesia to prepare for future food challenges. The government is focusing on developing underdeveloped areas, including peatlands, which have great potential for integrated farming systems. Bangsal is a village with peat swamp lands that serve as a source of food in OKI Regency, South Sumatera. During the dry season, the land is used for agriculture, while during the rainy season, it is used for fisheries. This paper analyzes (a) the village-based farming patterns in peatland areas, (b) the institutional framework of peatland farmer groups in Bangsal, and (c) the strategy for sustainable peatland utilization for food security. The study used both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods. The research showed that the role of the Ulak Kuto Mandiri effectively and efficiently increased community income and food self-sufficiency. Integrated farming systems, including swamp buffalo farming, swamp fish farming, and swamp agriculture, optimally and sustainably increased the potential of peatlands. Sustainable peatland utilization through integrated farming systems technically preserves the peatland ecosystem from land conversion, is economically feasible, increases the income of farmers, livestock breeders, and local cultural traditions, and empowers women in farming activities. It also reduces forest fire risks, chemical fertilizer and pesticide use, and increases peatland productivity.
... Si è ormai consapevoli che pratiche quali le lavorazioni profonde dei suoli, la monocoltura, l'uso eccessivo di erbicidi e di pesticidi chimici, in generale causano nel tempo una perdita significativa di biodiversità nelle sue diverse forme. Al contrario l'adozione di sistemi di agricoltura a basso input chimici, l'adozione di lavorazioni più superficiali, le rotazioni colturali, l'uso dei sovesci o delle consociazioni favoriscono sistemi stabili, meno disturbati e ad elevata biodiversità (Holland, 2004;Trewavas, 2004). ...
Dal vertice della Terra di Rio del 1992, l’agricoltura è stata riconosciuta come un settore multifunzionale chiave in grado di fornire benefici all’uomo (diretti o indiretti) definiti come servizi agro-ecosistemici (UNCED, 1992; TEEB, 2010). Chiaramente, l’obiettivo principale dell’agricoltura è quello di rendere il cibo disponibile per le famiglie e garantire la sicurezza alimentare a livello locale, nazionale e internazionale. Le attività volte a garantire la produzione alimentare coinvolgono in vari modi le dimensioni ambientale, economica, sociale e culturale del sistema alimentare.
Dal punto di vista ecologico, l’agricoltura ha un impatto sostanziale sui processi dell’ecosistema perché utilizza e modifica tutti i componenti dell’ecosistema, inclusi aria, suolo, acqua e biodiversità. Dal punto di vista economico, essa fornisce una base per le economie locali dando reddito alle comunità rurali e promuovendo il valore dei prodotti agricoli lungo tutta la catena del valore. In particolare, l’agricoltura è generalmente considerata un motore di crescita economica nei paesi in via di sviluppo (World Bank, 2009). Per quanto riguarda gli aspetti sociali e culturali, l’agricoltura costituisce un’importante fonte di occupazione, migliorando i mezzi di sussistenza rurali e un ambiente favorevole alla trasmissione delle conoscenze e delle tradizioni agricole. Tuttavia, molti dei servizi ecosistemici forniti dagli agro-ecosistemi in termini economici si configurano come privi di un valore esplicito di mercato, ma con un forte valore come esternalità (Pigou, 1920). Strumenti economici appropriati basati sugli incentivi sembrano essere in grado di aiutare le aziende agricole a migliorare il loro ruolo nella conservazione e gestione dei servizi agro-ecosistemici, limitando le esternalità negative ed aumentando quelle positive, garantendo nel contempo una corretta redditività.
Tra i meccanismi basati su incentivi economici piuttosto innovativi risultano i “Pagamenti per i Sevizi Ecosistemici” (Payments for Ecosystem Services – PES). Il pagamento per i servizi ecosistemici è uno strumento che si applica facilmente al settore agricolo, poiché qualsiasi attività in esso interagisce intrinsecamente con tutte le dimensioni della sostenibilità (vale a dire ambientale, sociale ed economica). In effetti, i PES possono fornire incentivi positivi per usi del suolo alternativi o particolari pratiche agronomiche a livello di azienda agricola. Il pagamento è, o dovrebbe essere, economicamente paragonabile alle opportunità dimenticate delle opzioni alternative di uso del suolo esistenti (vale a dire i costi opportunità). Questo pagamento viene erogato a sostegno dell’uso del suolo o di pratiche agronomiche in grado di proteggere o ripristinare i processi naturali dell’ecosistema (FAO, 2011).
Si prevede che i PES funzioneranno laddove i servizi ecosistemici sono soggetti a un certo grado di minaccia presente o futura e dove i costi opportunità per l’uso alternativo del suolo o le pratiche terrestri non sono molto elevati (Wunder, 2007).
... As the size of organic farms continues to increase, a new set of large-scale considerations will eventually have to be tackled. Large organic farms that rely on machinery and automation, and purchased inputs, will have similar sustainability issues to those that large conventional farms have today (Trewavas, 2005). ...
... As the size of organic farms continues to increase, a new set of large-scale considerations will eventually have to be tackled. Large organic farms that rely on machinery and automation, and purchased inputs, will have similar sustainability issues to those that large conventional farms have today (Trewavas, 2005). ...
... The yield of the organic movement is a frequent topic of inquiry (Trewavas, 2004). Is conventional agriculture successful in feeding the globe, one may ask in response. ...
Organic farming is usually regarded to be more environmentally friendly than conventional farming. On this subject, we perform a global literature review. Organic farming employs integrated production practises that reduce the environmental impact of inorganic fertilisers, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms. In terms of environmental and climate change effects, organic farming is less polluting than conventional farming when measured per unit of land. Organic cuisine is gaining popularity around the world. The main driver of increased demand is consumer concern about the detrimental impacts of conventional agriculture on the environment and human health. All across the world, various organic agricultural practises are practised. They are united by common aims of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Many countries currently have specific legislative underpinnings for organic farming, as well as production and processing certification programmes. The expansion of organic agriculture practises and markets demonstrates how this is a viable alternative to intensification. More political will and scientific money could help realise more of this potential. In addition to developing organic agriculture, this should inform and improve the sustainability of other forms of agriculture.
... Consequently, it could be stated that organic farming is the best way for enhancing soil quality and providing adequate nutrition and suppression of chemicals and pests in food crops (Badgley et al., 2007;Horrigan et al., 2002), but the conventional farming system is the most exemplary method for providing adequate global food supply by intense use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and chemicals (Trewavas 2001(Trewavas , 2004Conner, 2008). However, later studies (Ponisio et al., 2015& Muller et al., 2017 explored that the yield from organic farming can match the conventional farming method under speci c agricultural conditions like management practices and types of select crops. ...
The study investigated the scientific output, collaboration, and impression of research on organic farming due to the increasing interest of commoners in food quality and sustainability. Efforts to enhance agroecological sustainability call for assessing the structural overview of the numerous research work done so far to understand the growth in diverse subject areas in organic farming. The scientometric method is considered for analyzing 511 documents extracted in CSV format from the Scopus online database from 2010 till July 2, 2022. The pulled-out data is analyzed via VOSviewer, revealing prominent contributing authors, cited references, the significant collaboration between the countries, total link strength, and co-occurrence of author keywords using analysis of co-authorship, co-occurrence, citation, and bibliographic coupling in several domains. Out of 511 documents published in the English language retrieved from the Scopus database, 75.29% are articles, 11.17% are review papers, and 13.52% are conference papers. In 2021, the maximum number of documents produced (n = 97) related to organic farming. India has contributed the maximum number of documents (n = 65) with the collaboration of 29 other countries and bagged 730 citations. The following study is the first to conduct a scientometric analysis in the field of food security and sustainability dimensions of organic farming, which facilitate a better understanding of the recent growth trend of research associated with organic farming on the one hand and can further improve the policies based on brainstorming to action formulation not only in academics but also in research and development on the other.
... In 1817 the law of diminishing returns was used by D. Ricardo to create the theory of land rent in the work entitled: Principles of political economy and taxation [22]. Ricardo as first used simplified marginal analysis, which depicts the law´s of diminishing returns effect in practice. ...
In the paper there was presented an issue of the law of diminishing returns in agriculture. It was shown, that despite its general character, it is impossible to satisfactorily explain issues of input´s transformation into output in a farming process in agriculture.
... Organic farming is a holistic approach for protecting the environment primarily the soil and water quality while boosting up the crop productivity by avoiding hazards to environment and human health (Bordoloi, 2014). Though the organic movement has regarded with some scepticism (Trewavas, 2004) it has strong marketing appeal (Cornish, 2002) and it is one of the fastest growing agribusiness sectors in the world. ...
North Eastern India is the integration of natural wonders and combination of different tradition and culture. The Farmers of this region are practicing organic farming with indigenous knowledge system from ages. It has the natural choice for promoting and intensification of organic farming and has tremendous opportunity to promotion of organic farming for profit maximization of the farmers and for environmental sustainability. The concept behind the organic farming is to go back to the arms of nature to restore the loss which was obtained by the haphazard conventional farming to achieve the goal of food sufficiency. The North Eastern region of India is mostly rain-fed and the agriculture practice is almost organic in nature which is achieved by wisdom. Despite of long term sustainability and environmental benefits along with lots of prospects in organic farming some challenges hinder the development of organic farming in this area. There is an urgent need for farmers’ friendly government policy and strategies, location specific research and extension services, awareness about the proper nourishment of crop and pest and disease management, implementation of easy organic land certification process, development of proper marketing channels, etc. for making the organic farming successful. This paper attempts to explore and highlights the present status, prospects and challenges of organic farming in north eastern India and to cite causes and remedies of such challenges.
Key Words: Organic Farming, North Eastern India, Prospects and Challenges.
... The different studies that have compared organic and conventional production systems have provided inconsistent results with regard to the sensorial qual ity and nutritive value of fruits (Bourn and Prescott, 2002;Lester, 2006;Zhao et al., 2006) but organically grown foods have lower pesticide residues (Trewavas, 2004). This is not surprising because com paring the effect of organic and conventional farming systems on fruit quality is inherently difficult due to the wide range of factors that can potentially affect crop composition such as climate, soil conditions, cul tivar, soil type, planting date, harvesting time, and growing seasons (Goldman et al., 1999;Adam, 2001;Magkos et al., 2003). ...
Organic production must be carried out following the EU regulations and their protocols. On the contrary, conventional cultivation instead can be carried out using the best agronomic approaches available and using the latest innovative resources. Organic cultivation is more widespread in permanent crops (olive and grape crops) than vegetable ones, and even less in protected cultivation systems, due to the high intensity production processes which render the application of organic growing protocols more complex. The comparison between the two systems of cultivation, organic and conventional, is difficult because the two cultivation methods are often carried out in different farms and hence in different environmental conditions. Cultivation using the two methods was conducted in a greenhouse from November to March 2017/2018. Results demonstrated that the total fruit yield zucchini squash in organic cultivation was not significantly different to the conventional one (43.2 Mg ha-1 and 46.4 Mg ha-1, respectively). The agronomic inputs (fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides) were higher in the organic cultivation system than conventional one. The water use efficiency was higher in the conventional cultivation system (150.6 kg m-3 ha-1) compared to the organic one (147.6 kg m-3 ha-1). No statistically significant differences were found for the fruit number per plant and for the marketable fruit at the end of the growing period. Significant differences for the harvest period were only detected for fresh weight, shape index, firmness, and titratable acidity. In conclusion, this work demonstrated that the organic system required higher inputs compared to the conventional cultivation. The extensive experience of the grower allowed for comparable yields between the two systems.
... Similar conclusions regarding the influence of weather and climate conditions on organic food production have been drawn from a study conducted in Serbia [79]. Yield variability caused by external conditions was indicated as an important barrier to organic farming [99]. Similar weather-related limitations were noticed not only for organic farming but also for other fields [100,101]. ...
Our study aimed to explore the factors limiting the development of the organic food sector in Poland from the perspective of processing, distributing, and retailing companies. We used a qualitative approach with in-depth semi-structured interviews with the management board representatives of 17 large- and medium-sized enterprises and the owners of 10 small and medium companies. The potential limiting factors, including legal, economic, technological, and environmental factors, were identified by reviewing the corporate and market reports of processing and retailing companies operating in the Polish organic sector. We used a thematic analysis recommended in the literature to analyze qualitative data. The main factors indicated by the managers were the legal concerns, limitations resulting from a lack of constant supply of organic raw materials, and increased competition on domestic and international markets. In addition, business activities in the Polish organic sector were affected by the instability of the financial situation in terms of financial liquidity, adequate cost, capital structure, and credits. The results of the study may be of value for policymakers to ensure sustainable development of the organic food sector in Poland.
... • Intense farming produces acidity/salinity and loss of certain micro-and secondary nutrients in soil over the long-term. A common concern regarding the organic farming movement is its yield, (Trewavas, 2004) and it has been asked: will organic farming be able to feed the world? Is traditional farming feeding the planet successfully? ...
Organic farming is an environmentally, economically and socially accepted way to produce food. This review scrutinizes various facets of the practice including its impact on the environment, international markets, and local as well as global food security. First-hand knowledge throughout India and the world was evaluated the various strategies and policies implemented for organic agriculture in India. Scenarios depicted here represent millions of people from all social and economic backgrounds who have embraced this agrarian method ensuring the integrity of food. Since organic farming depends on animal manures, off-farm organic wastes, crop residues, green manures, and bio-fertilizers, the question arises whether the availability of these organic feed materials is sufficient to support widespread organic farming in India. In total, these sources could supply 7.04 Mt. of primary nutrients in India, while in the long-term, organic farming could contribute to food security by harmonizing population growth, food grain production, fertilizer consumption, and prevent or minimize soil nutrient depletion. Municipal solid waste compost and sewage water are being increasingly employed in organic agriculture and very large amounts of organic residues and pollutants are added to the soil. Given this, the prospects of organic agriculture to help solve environmental problems need to be researched in more detail. Soil C (carbon) sequestration by municipal solid waste compost and sewage water may to some extent stop environmental degradation. Primarily, organic farming could boost the quality of food by enhancing protein, vitamins, minerals, etc. Soil health and ecological functions such as biomass production, biodiversity maintenance, environmental protection, etc., which occur in organic farming could also be maintained or improved. In this way, it is possible for climatic aberrations could be mitigated or alleviated. However, policies should be developed for proper utilization of bio-waste, integrated farming approaches with organics, prioritizing areas and different kinds of organic farming, better pest management involving bio-pesticides, strengthening the domestic market for organic produce, farmer-to-farmer communication, etc. Our assessment found that organic farming has huge potential for contributing to food security, risk mitigation, etc., in India. Organic farming could also address many of the sustainable development goals directly, namely 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. However, future research should address areas like: (a) C sequestration and critical C input for organic farming; (b) dynamics, biology and biochemistry of nutrient cycles; (c) impact of the exposure of organic farming to contaminants; and (d) producing higher quality food crops.
... • Intense farming produces acidity/salinity and loss of certain micro-and secondary nutrients in soil over the long-term. A common concern regarding the organic farming movement is its yield, (Trewavas, 2004) and it has been asked: will organic farming be able to feed the world? Is traditional farming feeding the planet successfully? ...
The use of laser biostimulation technology in agriculture has thus far been limited to assessment of the effect of stimulation of seeds or seedlings on crop yield, mainly due to the technical limitations of the apparatus. Advances in mechatronics will enable broader application of laser biotechnology, for stimulation of plants in field conditions in order to minimize biotic and abiotic stress throughout their growth and development. This will increase productivity and improve crop quality, while reducing the use of pesticides, minimizing mineral fertilization, and increasing nutrient utilization by crop plants. Laser biotechnology can be used not only in agriculture, but also in energy production and environmental protection. More effective reclamation of degraded areas through biostimulation of plants can significantly increase the production of biomass as an energy raw material and contribute to the development of renewable bioenergy production (with no negative effect on food production) and the entire bioeconomy. Wider use of laser biotechnology can also contribute to more effective environmental protection and better exploitation of water resources by substantially increasing the efficiency of hydrobotanical wastewater treatment plants.
... Although the movement is still regarded with some scepticism (e.g. Trewavas 2001, Kirchmann and Ryan 2004, Trewavas 2004, the concept of organic farming has strong marketing appeal, growth forecasts are almost all positive and it has been suggested that the 'movement' is now an 'industry' (Cornish and Stewart 2002). Organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing agribusiness sectors in the world, with double-digit annual growth in land under organic cultivation, value of organic produce and number of organic farmers. ...
This book documents current practices in organic agriculture and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses. All major aspects of organic agriculture are explored including historical background and underlying principles, soil fertility management, crop and animal production, breeding strategies, crop protection, animal health and nutrition, animal welfare and ethics, economics and marketing, standards and certification, environmental impacts and social responsibility, food quality, research, education and extension. The book has 18 chapters and a subject index. A special feature of this book is a series of 5 'Special Topics', smaller sections that address key questions or challenges facing organic agriculture. These sections are intended to provide a more detailed analysis of specific issues that cannot be covered as sufficiently in the larger general chapters.
... Moreover, in recent decades, a substantial amount of this insecticide has been detected in different water and soil parts (Perry 2008;Esfandian et al. 2016). Accordingly, in organic agriculture, due to the significantly reduced usage of chemicals applied than conventional farming systems, especially nitrogen and phosphorous ones, the water contamination is less, increasing the water reusability (Trewavas 2004). ...
Water is a fundamental necessity for people’s well-being and the ecosystem’s sustainability; however, its toxicity due to agrochemicals usage for food production leads to the deterioration of water quality. The poor water quality diminishes its reusability, thus limiting efficient water usage. Organic farming is one of the best ways that does not only reduce the deterioration of water quality but also decrease food toxicity. In organic farming, the crop is grown with no/less chemical usage. Besides, organic farming maintains biodiversity and reduces the anthropogenic footprint on soil, air, water, wildlife, and especially on the farming communities. Fields that are organically managed continuously for years have fewer pest populations and were attributed to increased biodiversity and abundance of multi-trophic interactions as well as to changes in plant metabolites. Fewer insect pests (pathogen vectors), in turn, would result in fewer crop diseases and increase crop production. This review highlights that organic farming may play a critical role in the reduction of pests and pathogens, which eventually would reduce the need for chemical reagents to protect crops, improving yield quality and water reusability.
... Norman Borlaug (father of the "Green Revolution" and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate), Prof A. Trewavas and other critics have contested the notion that organic agricultural systems are friendlier to the environment and more sustainable than conventional farming systems. Borlaug asserted that organic farming practices can at most feed 4 billion people, after expanding cropland dramatically and destroying ecosystems in the process [16][17][18]. Borlaug and his coauthors advocated using organic matter in addition to inorganic fertilizers in soil fertility management, but opposed advocating only organic agriculture for the developing world [19]. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency estimated that phasing out all pesticides would result in an overall yield reduction of about 25%. ...
Organic farming works in harmony with nature rather than against it. This involves using techniques to achieve good crop yields without harming the natural environment or the people who live and work in it. A range of organic methods can be used at the same time to allow them to work together for the maximum benefit. For example the use of green manures and careful cultivation, together provide better control of weeds than if the techniques were used on their own. Organic farming provides long-term benefits to people and the environment.
... • Intense farming produces acidity/salinity and loss of certain micro-and secondary nutrients in soil over the long-term. A common concern regarding the organic farming movement is its yield, (Trewavas, 2004) and it has been asked: will organic farming be able to feed the world? Is traditional farming feeding the planet successfully? ...
Organic farming is an environmentally, economically and socially accepted way to produce food. This review scrutinizes various facets of the practice including its impact on the environment, international markets, and local as well as global food security. First-hand knowledge throughout India and the world was evaluated the various strategies and policies implemented for organic agriculture in India. Scenarios depicted here represent millions of people from all social and economic backgrounds who have embraced this agrarian method ensuring the integrity of food. Since organic farming depends on animal manures, off-farm organic wastes, crop residues, green manures, and bio-fertilizers, the question arises whether the availability of these organic feed materials is sufficient to support widespread organic farming in India. In total, these sources could supply 7.04 Mt of primary nutrients in India, while in the long-term, organic farming could contribute to food security by harmonizing population growth, food grain production, fertilizer consumption, and prevent or minimize soil nutrient depletion. Municipal solid waste compost and sewage water are being increasingly employed in organic agriculture and very large amounts of organic residues and pollutants are added to the soil. Given this, the prospects of organic agriculture to help solve environmental problems need to be researched in more detail. Soil C (carbon) sequestration by municipal solid waste compost and sewage water may to some extent stop environmental degradation. Primarily, organic farming could boost the quality of food by enhancing protein, vitamins, minerals, etc. Soil health and ecological functions such as biomass production, biodiversity maintenance, environmental protection, etc., which occur in organic farming could also be maintained or improved. In this way, it is possible for climatic aberrations could be mitigated or alleviated. However, policies should be developed for proper utilization of bio-waste, integrated farming approaches with organics, prioritizing areas and different kinds of organic farming, better pest management involving bio-pesticides, strengthening the domestic market for organic produce, farmer-to-farmer communication, etc. Our assessment found that organic farming has huge potential for contributing to food security, risk mitigation, etc., in India. Organic farming could also address many of the sustainable development goals directly, namely 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. However, future research should address areas like: a) C sequestration and critical C input for organic farming; b) dynamics, biology and biochemistry of nutrient cycles; c) impact of the exposure of organic farming to contaminants; and d) producing higher quality food crops.
... Organic farming as an environmental friendly form of agriculture, provides organic food which is healthier because it does not contain synthetic chemicals traces. In contrast, traditional agriculture with noncontrolled use of chemical resources have been reported to produce foods leading to cancer (Stolze 2000;Trewavas 2004;Nejadkoorki 2012;IFOAM 2018). ...
In this study, life table parameters of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) on four organic plants belonging to, Brassicaceae: Siberian (Russian) kale, Brassica napus L. var. pabularia L., Lacianto (Tuscan/Italian) kale, Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia, and Lamiaceae: Spearmint, Mentha spicata L. and Saudi Mint, Mentha longifolia L. were
evaluated. The study also aimed to investigate plant nutritional content and morphological characters to explain how plant sources affect the life parameters of TSSM. Plants were cultivated in two organic locations: Giza Governorate
(30° 09' 07.0" N, 30° 51' 00.2" E), and Fyoum Governorate (29° 34' 40.9" N, 30° 55' 38.3" E). Experiments were under laboratory conditions at 28 ± 2 °C, and 75–80% RH. TSSM had the shortest life cycle, longevity, life span, the highest values of intrinsic rate of increase (rm), net reproductive rate (R0), finite rate of increase
(λ), gross reproductive rate (GRR), shortest mean generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) on Siberian kale (Brassicaceae). Plant leaves were scanned by SEM to determine how plant texture could affect the TSSM's biology. Plant nutritional contents resulted in highly significant differences among the dry material of four tested plants for Nitrogen (N), Phosphor (P), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na) and Calcium (Ca). It is concluded that organic plant source, definitely affect life table parameters and behavior of TSSM. Plant-herbivore relation, were significant due to plant nutritional contents and morphological characters.
... Young et al. [12] reported that organic pak choi samples contained higher levels of total phenolics than conventional samples in response to insect attacks whereas no differences were found in levels of total phenolics between organic and conventional lettuce and collard samples. However, organic farming may also lead to adverse effects on soil fertility (loss of organic carbon for excessive mineralization) and greenhouse gas emissions due to integrated tillage practices (necessary for weed control, green manuring, and soil amendment incorporation) [15,16]. For all these reasons, the sustainability of current organic management practices has been questioned recently and the organic sector is looking for innovative solutions to improve its sustainability. ...
The sustainability of current farming systems has been questioned in the last decades,
especially in terms of the environmental impact and mitigation of global warming. Also, the organic
sector, which is supposed to impact less on the environment than other more intensive systems, is
looking for innovative solutions to improve its environmental sustainability. Promisingly, the
integration of organic management practices with conservation agriculture techniques may help to
increase environmental sustainability of food production. However, little is known about the
possible impact of conservation agriculture on the content of bioactive compounds in cash crops.
For this reason, a two‐year rotation experiment used 7 cash crops (4 leafy vegetables and 3 fruit
crops) to compare integrated (INT), organic farming (ORG), and organic no‐tillage (ORG+) systems
to evaluate the possible influence of cropping systems on the nutritional/nutraceutical values of the
obtained fruits and leafy vegetables. The results pointed out specific responses based on the species
as well as the year of cultivation. However, cultivation with the ORG+ cropping system resulted in
effective obtainment of fruits and vegetables with higher levels of bioactive compounds in several
cases (11 out 16 observations). The ORG+ cropping system results are particularly promising for
leafy vegetable cultivation, especially when ORG+ is carried out on a multi‐year basis. Aware that
the obtained data should be consolidated with longer‐term experiments, we conclude that this
dataset may represent a good starting point to support conservation agriculture systems as a
possible sustainable strategy to obtain products with higher levels of bioactive compounds.
... Ainsi, les effets bénéfiques des systèmes de culture agrobiologiques peuvent être annulés ou réduits par l'utilisation intensive des interventions mécaniques sur les parcelles (pertes de MOS, risques accrus de dégradation de la structure du sol, érosion). Certains auteurs pensent que les systèmes conventionnels sans travail du sol (semis direct) ont plus d'effets bénéfiques pour la qualité du sol et l'environnement que les systèmes agrobiologiques (Trewavas, 2004 de conservation mais aussi les difficultés inhérentes à ce mode de production (Drinkwater et al., 2000;Teasdale et al., 2007). Drinkwater et al. (2000) (Drinkwater et al., 2000;Teasdale et al., 2007). ...
... Organic farming has been criticized for a reliance on tillage for weed management and CGM crop termination (Trewavas, 2001), while conventional no-tillage farming has been identified as an effective way to increase SOC (Marshall & Lynch, 2018;Peigne´, Ball, Roger-Estrade, & David, 2007;Silva & Delate, 2017;Trewavas, 2004). More soil C has been retained in organic tilled, field crop systems than conventional no-tillage systems in some environments (Teasdale et al., 2007), but organic systems can still benefit by reducing tillage (Gadermaier, Berner, Fliessbach, Friedel, & Mäder, 2012). ...
Dual‐use cover/green manure (CGM) crops and animal manure are used to supply nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to organically grown field crops. A comprehensive review of previous research was conducted to identify how CGM crops and animal manure have been used to meet N and P needs of organic field crops, and to identify knowledge gaps to direct future research efforts. Results indicate that: (a) CGM crops are used to provide N to subsequent cash crops in rotations; (b) CGM‐supplied N generally can meet field crop needs in warm, humid regions but is insufficient for organic grain crops grown in cool and sub‐humid regions; (c) adoption of conservation tillage practices can create or exacerbate N deficiencies; (d) excess N and P can result where animal manures are accessible if application rates are not carefully managed; and (e) integrating animal grazing into organic field crop systems has potential benefits but is generally not practiced. Work is needed to better understand the mechanisms governing the release of N by CGM crops to subsequent cash crops, and the legacy effects of animal manure applications in cool and sub‐humid regions. The benefits and synergies that can occur by combining targeted animal grazing and CGMs on soil N, P, and other nutrients should be investigated. Improved communication and networking among researchers can aid efforts to solve soil fertility challenges faced by organic farmers when growing field crops in North America and elsewhere.
... The aim was of course to locate the varieties and environmental conditions that by interaction or synergism might provide for maximum seed crop production; the interaction is commonly summarized as genotype × environment (G×E). A farm is a complex, integrated system, with interactions through many of its parts and the overall network structure determined by the characteristics of the farmer him/herself (Trewavas, 2004b). Maximum seed yield is also a proxy for fitness in wild plants, but there are two primary differences between farm and wildness. ...
Hypotheses:
The drive to survive is a biological universal. Intelligent behaviour is usually recognised when individual organisms including plants, in the face of fiercely competitive or adverse, real world circumstances, change their behaviour to improve their probability of survival.
Scope:
This article explains the potential relationship of intelligence to adaptability and emphasises the need for recognising individual variation in intelligence showing it to be goal directed and thus being purposeful. Intelligent behaviour in single cells and microbes is frequently reported. Individual variation might be underpinned by a novel learning mechanism described in detail. The requirements for real world circumstances are outlined, the relationship to organic selection indicated together with niche construction as a good example of intentional behaviour that should improve survival. Adaptability is important in crop development but the term may be complex incorporating numerous behavioural traits some of which are indicated.
Conclusion:
There is real biological benefit to regarding plants as intelligent both from a fundamental issue of understanding plant life but also from providing a direction for fundamental future research and in crop breeding.
... As shown earlier, by regularly imposing conditions that altered the soil-disturbance patterns and harvesting sequences associated with summer annual crops, these phenologically diverse rotations limited the population growth of summer annual weeds. Reliance on soil disturbance for organic production, whether primary tillage for seedbed preparation or rotary hoeing and sweep cultivation for postplant weed removal, can also have negative effects on the environment, including enhanced greenhouse gas emissions, nitrate and soil losses, and reduced carbon sequestration (Cavigelli et al. 2013;Trewavas 2004;Tuomisto et al. 2012). More diverse rotations including winter annual grain crops and perennial hay crops can mitigate against soil losses and greenhouse gas emissions (Cavigelli et al. 2013), as well as disrupt life cycles of dominant weed species. ...
Organic cropping systems are characterized by soil-disturbance events that can be diversified over years through crop rotations and within seasons by varying planting dates. The Farming Systems Project at Beltsville, MD, USA, is a long-term experiment that includes three organic rotations, corn ( Zea mays L.)–soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], corn–soybean–wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), and corn–soybean–wheat–alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.). Analysis of weed presence and cover over the first 18 yr of this experiment revealed that the tall, erect annual broadleaf weeds smooth pigweed ( Amaranthus hybridus L.), common lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album L.), horseweed ( Erigeron canadensis L.), jimsonweed ( Datura stramonium L.), and/or velvetleaf ( Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) were most prominent in corn and soybean. Generally, these species exhibited traits adapted to the disturbance regimes, nutrient availability, crop environment and duration, and local meteorological conditions associated with the summer annual corn and soybean crops. Abundance of A. hybridus , D. stramonium , and A. theophrasti were controlled primarily by rotation diversity, whereby presence and cover of these species were highest in the short corn–soybean rotation and lowest in the longer rotations that had more diverse seasonal soil-disturbance regimes. Early-season temperature was the primary factor controlling C. album presence and cover, which were higher at lower temperatures associated with earlier planting dates. Higher early-season precipitation was the primary factor associated with higher presence of annual grass species. The relative abundance of species in organic corn and soybean was determined primarily by the diversity of crops and disturbance operations in rotation, the timing of spring tillage and planting, and annual meteorological conditions driving emergence periodicity.
Contributing to the rapidly emerging field of Ecolinguistics, this book explores the role of language in mediating and determining our relationship with nature and in shaping attitudes and social practices in environmental areas. In doing so, it maps out research pathways for informed ecological debate that concerns both the planet and the discipline.
The book centres on two case studies. The first is a nature reserve near Siracusa in Sicily run by Fabio Cilea, where flamingos have begun to breed despite the devastation of the nearby coastline by one of the largest petro-chemical plants in Europe. The second is High Ash farm, a small farm near Norwich. Farmer, Chris Skinner, is a passionate naturalist who for thirty years has presented a programme on BBC Radio Norfolk. Through analysing the discourse of both Skinner and Cilea, the book explores what it can reveal about the underlying environmental visions that sustain them. Together with the discourse of other engaged ecological figures, a picture emerges of the connections that exist between our beliefs/attitudes, language and the natural world.
Presenting a framework for analysing environmental discourse from a primarily positivist standpoint, the book draws attention to the discourses that underline social practices felt to be useful, necessary and beneficial in these moments of environmental crisis. Although these contexts are European, the methodologies applied, as well as the ecological and linguistic issues dealt with, are universal, clarifying the relationship between social practices and language itself, viewed in the book as an ecosystem that is also in need of loving attention.
There is still considerable controversy about the relative risk of mycotoxin exposure associated with the consumption of organic and conventional cereals. Using validated protocols, we carried out a systematic literature review and meta‐analyses of data on the incidence and concentrations of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium, Claviceps, Penicillium, and Aspergillus species in organic and conventional cereal grains/products. The standard weighted meta‐analysis of concentration data detected a significant effect of production system (organic vs. conventional) only for the Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, with concentrations ∼50% higher in conventional than organic cereal grains/products (p < 0.0001). Weighted meta‐analyses of incidence data and unweighted meta‐analyses of concentration data also detected small, but significant effects of production system on the incidence and/or concentrations of T‐2/HT‐2 toxins, zearalenone, enniatin, beauvericin, ochratoxin A (OTA), and aflatoxins. Multilevel meta‐analyses identified climatic conditions, cereal species, study type, and analytical methods used as important confounding factors for the effects of production system. Overall, results from this study suggest that (i) Fusarium mycotoxin contamination decreased between the 1990s and 2020, (ii) contamination levels are similar in organic and conventional cereals used for human consumption, and (iii) maintaining OTA concentrations below the maximum contamination levels (3.0 μg/kg) set by the EU remains a major challenge.
This research paper delves into the underexplored realm of agricultural technology adoption behaviour among cassava farmers in North Central Nigeria, with a focus on elucidating the predictors of technology adoption within the region. Leveraging a quantitative survey research design, data was collected from 377 cassava farmers through structured questionnaires. Findings reveal significant relationships between various factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, price value, hedonic motivation, prior experience, and the adoption of agricultural technology. Through multiple linear regression analyses, it was established that these factors exert substantial influences on technology adoption behaviour among cassava farmers. Based on empirical evidence, policy recommendations were formulated to enhance the adoption of agricultural technologies among cassava farmers, aiming to foster a transition from subsistence to commercial farming, thereby bolstering agricultural productivity and socio-economic development in the region. These recommendations encompass governmental support for improved cassava seedlings, duty-free importation of agricultural implements, procurement and distribution of tractors, expansion of extension services, fertilizer production facilities, subsidized procurement of agricultural machinery, and enhanced importation policies for agro-chemicals. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics underlying technology adoption in agricultural contexts, offering insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers alike.
In the Indian context, organic farming has gained momentum in recent years, with increasing awareness among consumers and farmers about the importance of sustainable agriculture. However, the sector still faces a number of challenges and opportunities. One of the key challenges in India is related to the availability of inputs, such as organic fertilizers and pest management products. Many small farmers struggle to access these inputs due to limited availability and high costs. This has led to a reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can have negative impacts on soil health and the environment. Another challenge is related to certification and market access. In India, organic certification is managed by a number of different agencies, which can make it difficult for farmers to navigate the certification process. Additionally, there is often a lack of infrastructure for marketing and distribution of organic products, which can limit the ability of farmers to access premium prices. Despite these challenges, there are also a number of opportunities for organic farming in India. The country has a large and growing consumer market for organic products, with increasing interest in healthy and environmentally friendly food. Additionally, organic farming can help to promote sustainable agriculture practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve soil health. The present paper is an attempt to gage the issues and challenges in organic farming and how ICT can provide the solutions.
Abstract
For organically grown produce has increased intensely over the past decade, most likely because of the
professedwelfares to the environment and human health. Providing organic sources of nutrients to
endorse plant growth as well as endure soil quality is a major component of organic production. Organic
nutrition of plants can present opportunities and challenges to the grower. To review scientifically based
information dealing with the effects of organic nutrient sources on crop yields and quality, soil
properties, and environmental risks is the primary objective of this article. Effects of organic nutrient
sources are often evaluated by comparison with conventional production, but this approach can be
problematic because nutrient source may be confounded with many other cropping system components.
Even though these drawbacks, a careful examination of the literature suggests the following conclusions.
Application of organic nutrient sources can generally improve soil health, but careful management is
required to avoid environmental risks of nitrate (NO3) leaching and phosphorus accumulation. Provided
that nutrient supply is equal, yields with organic sources tend to be similar to those with inorganic
sources. However, lack of available nitrogen (N) that is synchronous with plant demand often limits
yields in organic cropping systems. Limited N availability and varied supply of other nutrients from
organic sources may contribute to the differences sometimes observed in dry matter content, tissue
NO3 and mineral concentration, vitamin C and other phytochemicals, and taste. Phytonutrient content
also may be affected by differences in pest control strategies among cropping systems regardless of
nutrient source. There is a slight, but significantly, increased risk of produce contamination
by Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria contamination on produce when organic nutrient sources
are used, but if proper guidelines are followed, contamination with the lethal serotype O157:H7 does not
appear to be a major concern. Appropriate management of organic inputs is critical to achieving potential
benefits for crop production and soil quality.
Keywords: Organic nutrient sources, soil quality, health benefits, environment
This book documents current practices in organic agriculture and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses. All major aspects of organic agriculture are explored including historical background and underlying principles, soil fertility management, crop and animal production, breeding strategies, crop protection, animal health and nutrition, animal welfare and ethics, economics and marketing, standards and certification, environmental impacts and social responsibility, food quality, research, education and extension. The book has 18 chapters and a subject index. A special feature of this book is a series of 5 'Special Topics', smaller sections that address key questions or challenges facing organic agriculture. These sections are intended to provide a more detailed analysis of specific issues that cannot be covered as sufficiently in the larger general chapters.
Humans' dependent on agriculture to fulfil their most basic requirements for food and other necessities. Unfortunately, hunger, food insecurity, and obesity continue to pose a threat to millions of people. As it is now practised, agriculture significantly contributes to causes such as biodiversity loss and climate change. However, when used differently, it can also be a source of solutions. If we want our future generations to enjoy the same or better necessary conditions for success, we must implement far-reaching agricultural and food-based system reforms as soon as possible. Organic farming can significantly lessen environmental degradation, enhance social and economic benefits, and help us prepare for future challenges. This paper reviewed the available literature to examine the benefits of organic farming for a sustainable economy and social and environmental development. Research article available in journals, conference proceedings, organic organisation bulletins, and other supporting institutions has been used for this purpose. Findings indicate that organic farming might not seem to be the answer to poverty. However, it can be a feasible option by helping in sustainable agriculture; rural development provides a fair return from labour and employment, develops the economy, and sustains the environment for future production, leading to sustainable development.
On organic farms, where the importation of materials to build/maintain soil fertility is restricted, it is important that a balance between inputs and outputs of nutrients is achieved to ensure both short-term productivity and long-term sustainability. This paper considers different approaches to nutrient budgeting on organic farms and evaluates the sources of bias in the measurements and/or estimates of the nutrient inputs and outputs. The paper collates 88 nutrient budgets compiled at the farm scale in nine temperate countries. All the nitrogen (N) budgets showed an N surplus (average 83.2 kg N ha ±1 yr ±1). The ef®ciency of N use, de®ned as outputs/inputs, was highest (0.9) and lowest (0.2) in arable and beef systems respectively. The phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) budgets showed both surpluses and de®cits (average 3.6 kg P ha ±1 yr ±1 , 14.2 kg K ha ±1 yr ±1) with horticultural systems showing large surpluses resulting from purchased manure. The estimation of N ®xation and quantities of nutrients in purchased manures may introduce signi®-cant errors in nutrient budgets. Overall, the data illustrate the diversity of management systems in place on organic farms, and suggest that used together with soil analysis, nutrient budgets are a useful tool for improving the long-term sustainability of organic systems.
Long-term agroecosystem experiments can be defined as large-scale field experiments more than 20 years old that study crop
production, nutrient cycling, and environmental impacts of agriculture. They provide a resource for evaluating biological,
biogeochemical, and environmental dimensions of agricultural sustainability; for predicting future global changes; and for
validating model competence and performance. A systematic assessment is needed to determine the merits of all known experiments
and to identify any that may exist in tropical and subtropical environments. The establishment of an international network
to coordinate data collection and link sites would facilitate more precise prediction of agroecosystem sustainability and
future global change.
(1) The effects of different cereal and grass management regimes on summer staphylinid assemblages were examined in hay meadows, lightly grazed pastures, silage fields, spring cereals, and winter cereals with routine pesticide application in south-west Ireland. (2) Forty-nine sites were sampled for adult Staphylinidae using pitfall traps and a D-vac suction sampler in June and July 1986. Comparisons between sites using species composition data were carried out using detrended correspondence analysis. (3) Large differences in staphylinid assemblages occurred between undisturbed meadows and pastures (without cultivation, cutting, heavy grazing and fertilizer use), and disturbed silage fields and cereals. The latter were rapidly recolonized after physical disturbance such as cutting and cultivation, once a vegetation layer was re-established. The assemblages of second-cut silage fields, spring cereals with a well-developed canopy, and of winter cereals, were very similar. (4) Dimethoate application resulted in a reduction in species richness in cereals, and there were more species in small fields, although the latter was due to the occurrence of species which were rare overall in cereals. No effect of propiconazole, the most frequently used fungicide, was detected. (5) Rapid recolonization in heteregeneous landscapes, as in this study, may lessen the perceived impact of disturbance factors, which may have a much greater impact in more homogeneous landscapes. Nonetheless, the results indicate that, with careful site selection, multivariate analysis of staphylinid species composition data can be a useful supplementary technique to experimental plot studies.
In agricultural systems, optimization of carbon and nitrogen cycling
through soil organic matter can improve soil fertility and yields while
reducing negative environmental impact. A basic tenet that has guided
the management of soil organic matter for decades has been that
equilibrium levels of carbon and nitrogen are controlled by their net
input and that qualitative differences in these inputs are relatively
unimportant. This contrasts with natural ecosystems in which there are
significant effects of species composition and litter quality on carbon
and nitrogen cycling,. Here we report the net balances of carbon and
nitrogen from a 15-year study in which three distinct maize/soybean
agroecosystems are compared. Quantitative differences in net primary
productivity and nitrogen balance across agroecosystems do not account
for the observed changes in soil carbon and nitrogen. We suggest that
the use of low carbon-to-nitrogen organic residues to maintain soil
fertility, combined with greater temporal diversity in cropping
sequences, significantly increases the retention of soil carbon and
nitrogen, which has important implications for regional and global
carbon and nitrogen budgets, sustained production, and environmental
quality.
Cuttings of Ficus benjamina L. and Chrysanthemum × morifolium ( Dendranthema grandiflora tzvelev.) were rooted in aero-hydroponics to study the effect of dissolved oxygen concentrations in the range of 8 mg·liter. (ambient saturation) to 0 mg·liter ⁻¹ . The results of this study indicate that dissolved oxygen is essential to root formation and root growth. Woody ( Ficus ) and herbaceous ( Chrysanthemum ) cuttings responded similarly. Lowering the dissolved oxygen concentration increased the time required to form adventitious roots, reduced rooting percentages, reduced numbers of roots formed per cutting, and reduced average root lengths. Comparisons between stirred and unstirred water suggested the development of an area of depleted oxygen concentration (boundary layer) at the stem-water interface on cuttings immersed in unstirred water. Cuttings in water stirred constantly rooted sooner and formed more roots than did those in unstirred water. Maximum rooting occurred in misted (high dissolved oxygen concentrations) sections of cuttings suspended in the aero-hydroponics chambers. Chemical name used: potassium salt of lH-indole-3-butyric acid (K-IBA).
Approximately 40 micronutrients are required in the human diet. Deficiency of vitamins B-12, folic acid, B-6, niacin, C, or E, or iron, or zinc, appears to mimic radiation in damaging DNA by causing single- and double-strand breaks, oxidative lesions, or both. The percentage of the US population that has a low intake (< 50% of the RDA) for each of these eight micronutrients ranges from 2% to greater than or equal to 20%; half of the population may be deficient in at least one of these micronutrients. Folate deficiency occurs in approximately 10% of the US population, and in a much higher percentage of the poor. Folate deficiency causes extensive incorporation of uracil into human DNA (4 million/cell), leading to chromosomal breaks. This mechanism is the likely cause of the increased cancer risk, and perhaps the cognitive defects associated with low folate intake. Same evidence, and mechanistic considerations, suggest that vitamin B-12 and B-6 deficiencies also cause high uracil and chromosome breaks. Micronutrient deficiency may explain, in good part, why the quarter of the population that eats the fewest fruits and vegetables (five portions a day is advised) has approximately double the cancer rate for most types of cancer when compared to the quarter with the highest intake. Eighty percent of American children and adolescents and 68% of adults do not eat five portions a day. Common micronutrient deficiencies are likely to damage DNA by the same mechanism as radiation and many chemicals, appear to be orders of magnitude more important, and should be compared for perspective. Remedying micronutrient deficiencies is likely to lead to a major improvement in health and an increase in longevity at low cost. Aging appears to be due, in good part, to the oxidants produced by mitochondria as by-products of normal metabolism. In old rats mitochondrial membrane potential, cardiolipin levels, respiratory control ratio, and overall cellular O-2 consumption are lower than in young rats, and the level of oxidants (per unit O-2) is higher. The level of mutagenic aldehydes from lipid peroxidation is also increased. Ambulatory activity declines markedly in old rats. Feeding old rats the normal mitochondrial metabolites acetyl carnitine and lipoic acid for a few weeks, restores mitochondrial function, lowers oxidants to the level of a young rat, and increases ambulatory activity. Thus,these two metabolites can be considered necessary for health in old age and are therefore conditional micronutrients. This restoration suggests a plausible mechanism: with age-increased oxidative damage to proteins and lipid membranes causes a deformation of structure of key enzymes, with a consequent lessening of affinity (K-m) for the enzyme substrate; an increased level of the substrate restores the velocity of the reaction, and thus restores function.
There are few studies on cancer risks among female farmers, particularly on breast cancer and cancer in female genital organs. We have conducted a cohort study of cancer risk among 50,682 women with occupations in agriculture according to the Swedish 1970 census. The cohort was followed up in the nationwide, population-based, Cancer-Environment Register from 1 January 1971 until death or until 31 December 1987. Expected number of cases was based on annual cancer incidence in five-year age groups. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was computed as the ratio between observed and expected number of cases. A total of 4,474 cases of cancer were observed in the cohort from 1971 until 1987 cf 5,273 expected, resulting in a significantly decreased SIR of 0.85 (95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 0.82-0.87). SIR for breast cancer was significantly decreased (0.83, CI = 0.78-0.88), as was the SIR for cervix uteri (0.40, CI = 0.31-0.50). For the other female genital organs, SIR was close to one. Other cancer sites with significantly decreased SIRs were: colon (0.90, CI = 0.81-1.00); rectum (0.86, CI = 0.74-1.00); lung (0.46, CI = 0.37-0.57); kidney (0.81, CI = 0.68-0.97); urinary organs (0.57, CI = 0.45-0.72); connective tissue and muscle (0.62, CI = 0.39-0.95); and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (0.78, CI = 0.63-0.96).
Invertebrates, birds and small mammals were abundant in the no-till field throughout the growing season. A greater diversity and proportionately more predators were noted within the invertebrate community in no-till. Small mammal populations, particularly that of deer mice Peromyscus maniculatus, appeared more stable in no-till. -from Authors
The European eco-management audit scheme and ISO 14001 environmental management systems are discussed. The principles of good environmental management are explained with a number of glass industry examples described in detail. It is shown that a systematic and structured approach to environmental management will lead to environmental considerations being integrated with business decision making.
The response of carabid beetles to differences in tillage and chemical use was studied using four matched pairs of sites. Abundance and species richness were significantly different between treatments, but four commonly used measures of diversity were relatively insensitive indicators of change. It is suggested that the use of diversity indices in impact assessment is redundant or, when used with ground beetles, misleading.
Nesting of birds was studied in 355 ha of nontilled (no-tillage) and 129 ha of tilled cropland. No-tillage treatments included corn planted into corn residue, corn planted into sod residue, and soybeans planted into corn residue. A control treatment was corn planted into tilled cropland. Twelve bird species (excluding brown-headed cowbirds [Molothrus ater]), with an average density of 36 nests/100 ha, nested in no-tillage fields; only 3 species, with an average of 4 nests/100 ha, nested in tilled fields. Nests in no-tillage fields were located in crop residue that was shorter but of similar coverage to that in random locations within the fields. Nests in tilled fields were positioned in locations where crop residue was more concentrated but of a height similar to that in random locations. Twenty-two percent of all nests in crop fields were successful, 54% were lost to predators, and <6% were destroyed by farming implements. Nesting success probably was below levels needed to sustain viable populations without influx from other areas.
Bjørn Lomborg, a former member of Greenpeace, challenges widely
held beliefs that the world environmental situation is getting worse and
worse in his new book, The Skeptical Environmentalist. Using statistical
information from internationally recognized research institutes, Lomborg
systematically examines a range of major environmental issues that
feature prominently in headline news around the world, including
pollution, biodiversity, fear of chemicals, and the greenhouse effect,
and documents that the world has actually improved. He supports his
arguments with over 2500 footnotes, allowing readers to check his
sources. Lomborg criticizes the way many environmental organizations
make selective and misleading use of scientific evidence and argues that
we are making decisions about the use of our limited resources based on
inaccurate or incomplete information. Concluding that there are more
reasons for optimism than pessimism, he stresses the need for
clear-headed prioritization of resources to tackle real, not imagined,
problems. The Skeptical Environmentalist offers readers a non-partisan
evaluation that serves as a useful corrective to the more alarmist
accounts favored by campaign groups and the media. Bjørn
Lomborg is an associate professor of statistics in the Department of
Political Science at the University of Aarhus. When he started to
investigate the statistics behind the current gloomy view of the
environment, he was genuinely surprised. He published four lengthy
articles in the leading Danish newspaper, including statistics
documenting an ever-improving world, and unleashed the biggest post-war
debate with more than 400 articles in all the major papers. Since then,
Lomborg has been a frequent participant in the European debate on
environmentalism on television, radio, and in newspapers.
Transport of herbicide mass by leaching and runoff was evaluated over several years. Herbicides were applied at recommended rates to conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) planted corn (Zea mays L.) fields on Hagerstown silty clay loam (Typic Hapludalf). Pre-emergence herbicide treatments on each tillage system included simazine (6-chloro-N,N′-diethyl-1, 3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), atrazine (6-chloro-N-ethyl-N′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), cyanazine (2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpropanenitrile) and metolachor (2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl) acetamide). Application rates (active ingredient basis) were 1.7 kg ha−1 (simazine, atrazine) and 2.2 kg ha−1 (cyanazine, metolachlor).
When animals graze in pastures and rangelands, manure is dispersed across a large area and little management is needed because the material is spread over a wide area and decomposes on the soil. How- ever, when animals are concentrated in a small area, the quantity of manure and the need for management increases significantly. In the United States, beef cattle are raised mainly in the central and southern Great Plains. Leading states for cattle raising in 1993 were Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, and Colorado. These five states accounted for two-thirds of the U.S. beef cattle. Approximately 84 percent of the cattle are fed in feedlots having a capacity of 1,000 or more head (Krause 1991). The handling and use of the manure produced in these large feedlots is a significant envi- ronmental problem that must be addressed. Manure from feedlots is an important resource for crop production and soil sustainability because this manure is a potential source of macronutrients (N, P, and K) as well as secondary and micronutrients. Manure is also an excellent source of organic matter when added to
Little data are available on P losses in runoff from land under conservation tillage (CT) where the surface-applied fertilizer variable has been eliminated. Thus, simulated rainfall was used to evaluate the comparative effects of four tillage systems on the losses of total P, dissolved molybdate-reactive P (DMRP) and algal-available P (AAP) where fertilizer was subsurface banded at planting. Tillage treatments included conventional (CN) and three CT systems: chisel plow (CH), till-plant (TP) and no-till (NT). Above-ground portions of corn (Zea mays L. ) plants were removed prior to simulation. Trials were conducted over a 4-yr period, with individual trials being performed in June and July, September, or October of various years. The NT, CH, and TP treatments reduced total P losses by an average of 81, 70, and 59%, respectively, relative to CN. Concentrations and losses of total P among tillage treatments followed those for sediment concentrations and losses.
The physical, chemical, and biological soil environment for reduced or no‐till farming differs greatly from that for conventional tillage. Evaluation of the soil microbial and biochemical environment greatly aids predictions of N availability to crop plants and in optimizing management practices for reduced and no‐till soils.
Surface soils from long‐term no‐till and conventional tillage plots at seven U.S. locations were characterized for microbial and biochemical components. The counts of aerobic micro‐organisms, facultative anaerobes, and denitrifiers in the surface (0–7.5 cm) of no‐till soils were 1.14 to 1.58, 1.57, and 7.31 times higher, respectively, than in the surface of plowed soil. Phosphatase and dehydrogenase enzyme activities and contents of water and organic C and N in the surface of no‐till soil were also significantly higher than those for conventional tillage. However, at the 7.5‐ to 15‐cm and 15‐ to 30‐cm depths these trends were reversed and microbial populations, enzyme activities, and water and organic C and N contents were the same or higher for conventional tillage than for no‐till. The trends in microbial populations with both tillage treatments were closely paralleled by soil enzyme activities and were also regulated by soil pH and levels of organic C and N. The surface 0‐ to 7.5‐cm of no‐till soil contained more potentially mineralizable N—20 to 101 kg/ha—than did that of plowed soils. This increased labile N reserve is apparently related to the higher microbial biomass present under no‐till soils.
Maximum aerobic microbial activity with conventional tillage extends to a greater depth than with no‐till. Microbial populations under no‐till decrease rapidly below the 7.5‐cm depth. At the 7.5‐ to 15‐cm depth counts of aerobic microor‐ganisms and nitrifiers were 1.32 to 1.82 times higher on the conventionally tilled soils. However, counts for facultative anaerobes and denitrifiers were 1.23 to 1.77 times higher for no‐till soil. Also, the proportion of the total aerobic population represented by facultative anaerobes and denitrifiers for no‐till was twice that for conventional tillage. Consequently the potential rate of mineralization and nitrification is higher with conventional tillage while that for denitrification is higher with no‐till.
Microbial population counts and the relative abundance of various microbial types suggests that the bochemical environment of no‐till soils is less oxidative than that under conventional tillage. Changes in tillage and fertilizer management practices required for no‐till soils should reflect the increased potential for immobilization of surface applied N and the lower levels of plant available NO 3 ‐ as compared with those under conventional tillage.
We used extensive atlas and census data to assess trends in the distribution and population levels of birds on lowland farmland in Britain between the late 1960s and early 1990s. Many species of farmland birds have become less widespread or have declined in numbers, or both, but few have become more wide-spread or have increased. Of the 28 species classified as farmland birds the distributions of 24 contracted between 1970 and 1990. Of the 18 farmland species for which it was possible to assess population change, 15 were less abundant in 1990 than in 1970. Seven of the species were estimated to have undergone population decreases of at least 50%. Farmland species showing the largest population declines tended also to show substantial range contractions. Farmland species underwent an appreciably larger contraction of distribution than species associated with any other habitat. Furthermore, farmland species tended to decrease in abundance, whereas woodland species tended to increase. Population declines among farmland birds became evident in the mid- to late 1970s, a period when several fundamental changes were taking place in British agricultural practices. These included a great reduction in the spring sowing of cereals, a simplification of crop rotations, increased use of chemical pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, and more-intensive grassland management. We suggest that the declines of farmland bird species have been caused or aggravated by this pervasive intensification of agriculture. Existing research on declining farmland birds, however, indicates that there is no single mechanism underlying the population changes. We identify priorities for research, focusing mainly on relationships between bird populations and agricultural practices, but we also recognize a need for a better understanding of the role of predation.
The reduced soil erosion possible with conservation tillage compared with mold-board plow or clean tillage systems is an obvious advantage because of the reduction in sediment and sediment-associated chemical losses. In some cases, runoff is also less with conservation tillage, which can reduce losses of soluble, nonabsorbed chemicals. However maintenance of crop residue on the soil surface currently limits fertilizer and pesticide use options in conservation tillage, thus affecting chemical concentrations and losses in surface runoff water and sediment.-from Authors
Soil-arthropod and earthworm densities (number m-2) were higher (P < 0.05) under no-tillage than conventional tillage practices. Enchytraeid worms were higher in conventional tillage. Two predaceous groups, ground beetles (Carabidae: Coleoptera) and spiders (Araneae), comprised more than one-half of all soil macroarthropods collected. All major microarthropod suborders (Oribatids, Prostigmatids, Mesostigmatids, and the order Collembola) were higher (P < 0.01) under no-tillage than conventional tillage. High soil-arthropod and earthworm densities under no-tillage systems suggest an expanded and beneficial involvement for these soil fauna in crop-residue-decomposition processes.
A study was initiated to compare the surface runoff of atrazine and simazine from adjacent conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) corn watersheds that were otherwise identical. Runoff was collected in H-type flumes and Coshocton wheels. Atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino) -s-triazine] and simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine] were applied at 2.2 kg a.i. ha−1 to both watersheds annually from 1979 to 1982.There was less runoff of water, atrazine and simazine from the NT watershed compared to the CT watershed each year that a major runoff event occurred during the growing season. Between 1979 and 1982, total volume of runoff was 27% less from the NT compared to the CT watershed. Most of the herbicide loss in surface runoff occurred during the first runoff event after application. The concentration of simazine in runoff was much less than that of atrazine. The greatest runoff of herbicides occurred in 1979 when 1.6 and 1.1% of the atrazine applied moved from the CT and NT watershed, respectively, and 0.52 and 0.36% of the simazine applied moved from the CT and NT watershed, respectively.
The fate of agrochemicals is often greatly affected by the surface-soil conditions in the field. This study was conducted to characterize the impact of two contrasting tillage systems on the movement of agrochemicals in soil. The two tillage systems were plow-tillage (PT) and no-tillage (NT) for corn (Zea mays L.) production. The study included incubation and leaching of undisturbed soil columns and disturbed soil samples from 16-yr plots subject to the two tillage regimes. The agrochemicals used in the study were NH4NO3, atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 diamine), carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate), diazinon (0,0- diethyl-0-(6-methyl- 2(1-methethyl)-4-pryamidinyl phosphor- othioate), and metolachlor (2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-metoxy-1-methylethyl) acetamide). The results of this study show greater ponded flow movement of all agrochemicals in soils under PT vs. NT conditions. Strong evidence was found for preferential flow through the soil, with the chemicals by-passing much of the soil-matrix under recently plowed soils as well as NT soils. Nitrate leaching was significantly greater under PT than NT, apparently due to greater mineralizing activity of the PT soil compared with the NT soil. The pesticide movement also tended to be greater under PT than NT. Caution should be exercised in generalizing to field conditions, but these data suggest that there can be greater leaching losses of surface-applied agrochemicals to groundwater under PT than under NT.
The dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]-fallow rotation is suitable for large areas of the U.S. Great Plains. High temperatures and potential evapotranspiration limit the number of other crops that can be grown. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is drought tolerant, but crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are perceived to lack sufficient heat and drought tolerance for semiarid areas. A study was conducted near Garden City, KS, from 1991 through 1995 to compare yield and water uses of conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) corn, grain sorghum, sunflower, and soybean to determine if crops other than grain sorghum are suitable for dryland production. Conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) were included in a wheat-row crop-fallow rotation. Corn and soybean were similar in their depletion of soil water, as were sorghum and sunflower. Below a depth of 1.2 m, sorghum and sunflower removed the most water. Sunflower removed the most water from the last 0.3 m of the profile and probably removed deeper water. Sorghum and sunflower removed an average of 19 mm more water from the 1.8-m soil profile than did corn and soybean. No-till increased yields of corn in 3 yr, of sorghum and sunflower in 2 yr, and of soybean in 1 yr. Corn had the greatest yield response to NT, averaging 31%. Average yields of corn were 25% higher than sorghum yields, whereas average yields of sunflower were 83% higher than soybean yields. Other crops can be successfully grown in the wheat-row crop-fallow rotation, but sorghum should occupy the most acres until the other crops have been tested under different climatic conditions.
Entering a new millennium seems a good time to challenge some old ideas, which in our view are implausible, have little supportive evidence, and might best be left behind. In this essay, we summarize a decade of work, raising four issues that . involve toxicology, nutrition, public health, and government regulatory policy. a Paracelsus or parascience: the dose () trace makes the poison. Half of all chemicals, whether natural or synthetic, are positive in high-dose rodent cancer tests. . These results are unlikely to be relevant at the low doses of human exposure. b E˝en Rachel Carson was made of chemicals: natural ˝s. synthetic chemicals. Human exposure to naturally occurring rodent carcinogens is ubiquitous, and . dwarfs the general public's exposure to synthetic rodent carcinogens. c Errors of omission: micronutrient inadequacy is . genotoxic. The major causes of cancer other than smoking do not involve exogenous carcinogenic chemicals: dietary imbalances, hormonal factors, infection and inflammation, and genetic factors. Insufficiency of many micronutrients, which . appears to mimic radiation, is a preventable source of DNA damage. d Damage by distraction: regulating low hypothetical risks. Putting huge amounts of money into minuscule hypothetical risks damages public health by diverting resources and distracting the public from major risks. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The Conservation Reserve Program, a land-retirement program designed to remove from production 40 to 45 million acres of highly erodible cropland, may generate an estimated 4 billion in water-quality benefits. Potential benefits include lower water-treatment costs, lower sediment removal costs, less flood damage, less damage to equipment that uses water, and increased recreational fishing. Benefits were estimated with a set of procedures that approximated the physical, chemical, biological, and economic links between soil erosion and water use.
Ground beetle abundance and community characteristics were compared in tomato systems under conventional and organic management. Beetles were sampled with pitfall traps over a 10-month period during 1997, in plots that had been under consistent management at the University of California at Davis since 1988. Abundance and species richness were greater in the organic system compared to the conventional system. Six of the 17 species collected were found only in organically-managed plots. However, no differences in species diversity or evenness according to the Shannon and Simpson indices were found. These results were found to be consistent with those of most other studies on ground beetle communities in conventional and organic annual cropping systems.