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Are Organic Crops as Productive as Conventional?
March 26, 2008Can organic cropping systems be as productive as conventional systems? The answer is an unqualified, "Yes" for alfalfa or wheat and a qualified "Yes most of the time" for corn and soybeans according to research reported by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and agricultural consulting firm AGSTAT in the March-April 2008 issue of Agronomy Journal.
The researchers primarily based their answer on results from the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trials, conducted for 13 years (1990-2002) at Arlington, WI and 8 years (1990-1997) at Elkhorn, WI. These trials compared six cropping systems (three cash grain and three forage based crops) ranging from diverse, organic systems to less diverse, conventional systems. The cash grain systems were 1) conventional continuous corn, 2) conventional corn-soybean, and 3) organic corn-soybean-wheat where the wheat included a leguminous cover crop. The three forage based systems were 1) conventional corn-alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa, 2) organic corn-oats-alfalfa-alfalfa, and 3) rotationally grazed pasture.
In this research they found that: organic forage crops yielded as much or more dry matter as their conventional counterparts with quality sufficient to produce as much milk as the conventional systems; and organic grain crops: corn, soybean, and winter wheat produced 90% as well as their conventionally managed counterparts. In spite of some climatic differences and a large difference in soil drainage between the two sites, the relatively small difference in the way the cropping systems performed suggested that these results are widely applicable across prairie-derived soils in the U.S. upper Midwest. The researchers also compared their results to other data analysis done on this topic in the U.S. Midwest.
Although researchers found that diverse, low-input/organic cropping systems were as productive as conventional systems most of the time, there is a need for further research, according to the study's author Dr. Joshua L. Posner, University of Wisconsin.
"There continues to be improvements in weed control for organic systems that may close the gap in productivity of corn and soybeans in wet seasons," Posner says. "On the other hand, technological advances may accelerate productivity gains in conventional systems that would outstrip the gains in organic systems even in favorable years."
The true question of whether organic cropping systems are as productive as conventional systems is a dynamic question and one that requires continual reevaluation.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Although researchers found that diverse, low-input/organic cropping systems were as productive as conventional systems most of the time, there is a need for further research, according to the study's author Dr. Joshua L. Posner, University of Wisconsin.
"There continues to be improvements in weed control for organic systems that may close the gap in productivity of corn and soybeans in wet seasons," Posner says. "On the other hand, technological advances may accelerate productivity gains in conventional systems that would outstrip the gains in organic systems even in favorable years."
The true question of whether organic cropping systems are as productive as conventional systems is a dynamic question and one that requires continual reevaluation.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Detecting synthetic fertilizers: Is it organic or not?
As organic farming becomes more common, methods to identify fraud in the industry are increasingly important. In a recent study in Journal of Environmental Quality, scientists successfully use nitrogen isotopic discrimination to determine if non-organic, synthetic fertilizers were used on sweet pepper plants.
Milk cures plant disease
Research at Harper Adams University College has shown how spraying wheat plants with milk can help to cure mildew disease. South American research showed four years ago that milk could help in the fight against mildew disease on squash plants, and milk is used to treat this disease by some organic gardeners, as well as by grape vine growers in Australia. Further research at Harper Adams, by Research Assistant Georgina Drury working with Dr Peter Kettlewell, and published in the current issue of Tests of Agrochemicals and Cultivars, has now revealed that mildew on wheat plants can also be greatly reduced by spraying the plants with milk. Almost all wheat crops get some infection from the fun
Real Threats To Countryside Ignored In GM Furore, Ecologists Warn
*PLEASE NOTE THIS IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 16 OCTOBER* The UK should be cautious in developing GM technology in agriculture, the British Ecological Society (BES) has said. However, scientists, policy makers and environmental campaigners should beware that by focussing solely on GM crops, the real threats to the British countryside are being ignored. Reacting to the publication of the farm-scale evaluations of GM crops published tomorrow [Thursday], Professor Alastair Fitter of the University of York and President of the BES, said: "GM technology, like any other, has the potential to do both good and harm, and it must be implemented in agriculture with great care to avoid serious adverse conseq
GENE TRANSFER FROM GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
The report, which is based on a desk study of a substantial quantity of previously published research in related areas, considers all the routes by which the mixing of organic and genetically modified crops may occur, including pollen transfer and the growth of volunteers. It concludes that no system for the field production of seed can guarantee absolute genetic purity of seed samples. Very rarely, long-distance pollen transmission or seed transfer is possible and any criteria for organic crop production will need to recognise this.
BBSRC regrets destruction of GM crop
The crops were destroyed at the orders of the farm's trustees but BBSRC maintains that there is absolutely no scientific justification for this destruction as there was no risk of cross-pollination with:
- organic oilseed rape, as it is not grown in the UK>
- any of the other Brassica crops capable of cross-pollinating with oilseed rape, as none of them are grown as seed crops in the UK and therefore are not let to flower.
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Organic Crops in Pots: How to Grow Your Own Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (Green Home) by Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell (Author) Here's how to grow your own produce any place where space is at a premium. A tiny yard, balcony, or sunny windowsill can hold pots of organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs--and these 30 brilliant projects will show you not only how to grow them all from scratch, but how to plant them in an array of attractive containers, from colanders to recycled tins. There's an amazing range of crops that can be grown this way, including herbs, climbing beans, root vegetables, chilies, soft fruits, and cut-and-come-again salad leaves. Growing your own also means you can ensure that all your crops are produced organically, and this book is packed with tips and techniques, from advice on feeding and watering to knowing when to harvest. "Organic Crops in Pots" tempts the novice gardener to get growing and... |
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Liz Lange Blue Prelude Organic Crop Pant - XXL by Liz Lange |
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Eminence Organic Skincare. Stone Crop Hydrating Gel by Eminence Organic Skincare Oil-free Hydration Skin Type: Pigmented, sensitive and oily to dry skin types Benefits: ¥ Lightens pigmentation and evens skin tone. Reduces the visible signs of aging. Moisturizes epidermis without any oil or stickiness Improves skin elasticity.. Calms irritations. |
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Eminence Organics Stone Crop Gel Wash 4 oz/125 ml by Eminence |
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Kitchen Crop Seed Sprouter-Grow Organic Sprouts at Home by Hirt's Gardens The Kitchen Crop Sprouter is the easy way to produce fresh, high-quality sprouts in your own kitchen. In just 2-4 days enjoy healthful sprouts in soups, salads and sandwiches. Grow up to three different flavors at once. The Kitchen Crop sprouter makes sprouting fast, easy and fun. It produces a variety of fresh, crispy sprouts in just a few easy steps. First, pour seeds into the trays. Next add water. Exclusive siphon action distributes just the right amount. In 2 to 4 days you'll harvest a bumper crop. The Kitchen Crop sprouter is reusable so you can grow nutritious sprouts year round. Spread out the seeds evenly in the tray (about 1 tablespoon will produce a tray full of sprouts). The quantity of seeds used depends upon your individual requirements. The seeds will expand tremendously... |
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Crop to Cup - Burundi Teka Coffee by Crop to Cup Grown in the mountainous nation of Burundi, this washed arabica has a taste as unique as its origin. Expect a bite of rhubarb with the sweetness of graham cracker to accompany this perfectly rounded cup of coffee. |
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Historic Crop Dusting Films DVD: 1947 - 1969 Agricultural Pesticides, Insecticides, & Herbicides Films Including Pesticide, Herbicide, Insecticide Use, Application, Pollution, & Effects Videos. Topics Also Include Pest Control, Insects, Weeds, DDT, Cropdusting Aircraft, And More. Great collection of three agriculture pesticide application films including crop dusting, insecticide/pesticide application methods, DDT application, and pests like the boll weevil. Table Of Contents: (1) Death to Weeds (1947) - Documentary film about the application of 2-4-D pesticide including crop dusting and before and after footage - 22 Minutes (2) Agricultural Aviation (1955) - Historical footage of crop dusting and pesticides application including up close footage of the various pests that damage farmers plants, like boll weevils - 13 Minutes (3) Who Shall Reap (1969) - The problems and solutions that insects and weeds contribute to farmers and food supplies - 28 Minutes |
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Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Mist 4.2 Oz by eminence |
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Danskin Prima Organic Crop Pant Womens by Danskin The stylish and comfortable Danskin® Prima Organic women's crop pant lets you get through your yoga workout without negatively impacting the environment. It's crafted using 100% organic cotton that is grown without the use of toxic pesticides commonly used on conventional crops. The Stretchfit Body construction with maximum compression throughout the hip area provides maximum support during higher-impact activities. |
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