Earthworm populations under different tillage systems in organic farming

2009 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Peigné ◽  
M. Cannavaciuolo ◽  
Y. Gautronneau ◽  
A. Aveline ◽  
J.L. Giteau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Earthworm Populations

scholarly journals Effect of Different Tillage Systems on Soil Organic Carbon and Enzymatic Activity

Agronomy ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 208
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Szostek ◽  
Ewa Szpunar-Krok ◽  
Renata Pawlak ◽  
Jadwiga Stanek-Tarkowska ◽  
Anna Ilek
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Organic Farming Systems ◽  
Organic Matter Fractions

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of conventional, simplified, and organic farming systems on changes in the content of soil organic carbon, organic matter fractions, total nitrogen, and the enzymatic activity. The research was conducted from 2016–2018 on arable land in the south-eastern part of Poland. The selected soils were cultivated in conventional tillage (C_Ts), simplified tillage (S_Ts), and organic farming (O_Fs) systems. The analyses were performed in soil from the soil surface layers (up to 25 cm depth) of the experimental plots. The highest mean contents of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and organic matter fractions were determined in soils subjected to the simplified tillage system throughout the experimental period. During the study period, organic carbon concentration on surface soil layers under simplified tillage systems was 31 and 127% higher than the soil under conventional tillage systems and organic farming systems, respectively. Also, the total nitrogen concentration in those soils was more than 40% and 120% higher than conventional tillage systems and organic farming systems, respectively. Moreover, these soils were characterised by a progressive decline in SOC and Nt resources over the study years. There was no significant effect of the analysed tillage systems on the C:N ratio. The tillage systems induced significant differences in the activity of the analysed soil enzymes, i.e., dehydrogenase (DH) and catalase (CAT). The highest DH activity throughout the experiment was recorded in the O_Fs soils, and the mean value of this parameter was in the range of 6.01–6.11 μmol TPF·kg−1·h−1. There were no significant differences in the CAT values between the variants of the experiment. The results confirm that, regardless of other treatments, such as the use of organic fertilisers, tillage has a negative impact on the content of SOC and organic matter fractions in the O_Fs system. All simplifications in tillage reducing the interference with the soil surface layer and the use of organic fertilisers contribute to improvement of soil properties and enhancement of biological activity, which helps to maintain its productivity and fertility.

Effect of rotation and conservation tillage of earthworms in a red-brown earth under wheat

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 829 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Rovira ◽  
KRJ Smettem ◽  
KE Lee
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Earthworm Population ◽  
Earthworm Populations

The effects of two rotation and two tillage systems on earthworm populations have been studied in a red-brown earth under wheat. At the time of sampling, the earthworm population under direct drill was nearly double that under conventional cultivation. The total number of worms was not affected by crop rotation with pasture or lupins, but following pasture there were significantly more large worms. It is suggested that at this site the earthworm population may be responding rapidly to alterations in food supply and water stress under the different agricultural systems.

scholarly journals Development of reduced tillage systems in organic farming in Europe

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Mäder ◽  
Alfred Berner
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Research Activities

AbstractNo-tillage and reduced tillage are considered sustainable options of conservation tillage. While US organic farming researchers have focused on no-tillage, European organic farming researchers have concentrated on reduced tillage through the reduction of tillage depth or the application of noninversion tillage practices. Combinations of these two approaches have been implemented by the use of the two-layer plow or the layer cultivator. These innovations often came from farmers, aiming at reducing off-farm inputs such as fuel, and saving costs and labor, while at the same time building up soil fertility. Systematic, documented research on reduced tillage systems in Europe started only 1–2 decades ago, with experiments in Germany, Switzerland and France. While most experiments mimic stockless farms, other experiments include fodder crops such as grass–clover ley and applications of manure and slurry as is typical for mixed farms with animals and crops. Soil organic carbon, microbial activity and soil structure are often improved in the upper soil layer under reduced tillage compared with plowed soils. However, these positive findings were confounded by lower yields in some cases and enhanced weed pressure, except for the two-layer plow. Often it was not possible to determine whether and to what extent yield reduction was due to weed competition or to nitrogen shortage, because of retarded nitrogen mineralization in spring in reduced tillage systems. In systems with manure use, also higher soil fertility measures concomitant with increased yields were reported under reduced tillage. Indeed, it is difficult to gain an overview on research activities dealing with reduced tillage in organic farming in Europe due to dispersed experimental infrastructures and the scarcity of peer-reviewed published literature. To close this knowledge gap a European Network is being established aiming at further developing reduced tillage systems in organic farming, addressing the issue of carbon sequestration and N2O emissions, as well as weed and nutrient management.

Legal framework for improvement of agroecology by cultivating jerusalem artichoke

2020 ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Mykhailo Kosmii ◽  
Vasyl. Kasiianchuk ◽  
Ruslan Zhyrak ◽  
Ivan Krykhovetskyi
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Jerusalem Artichoke ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Scientific Cognition

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and research the legal mechanisms which make it possible to improve agroecology through the organization of cultivation of Jerusalem artichoke.Methodology. The methodology includes comprehensive analysis and generalization of available scientific, theoretical, practical and applied material and development of relevant conclusions and recommendations. During the research, the following methods of scientific cognition were used: dialectical, terminological, historical and legal, logical and normative, systemic and structural, functional, normative and dogmatic, generalization methods. Results. The process of analysis and research highlighted the possibilities of cultivating Jerusalem artichoke for improving agroecology, namely improving the ecological state of the atmosphere air and soil, preparing them for organic farming. The article contains examples of practical application of tubers of Jerusalem artichoke and herbage for the production of therapeutic and prophylactic products, alternative energy and highly efficient building materials. Scientific novelty. The study found that the authors summarized and systematized the levels of legal regulation in the field of using Jerusalem artichoke for improving agroecology, preparing soil for organic farming, in particular: the inter-sectoral level which covers the interaction of agricultural and environmental law in terms of cultivation and use of Jerusalem artichoke; the level of integrated environmental and legal regulation; level of individual resource (floristic) legal regulation; the level of environmental protection (anthropoprotection) legislation.Practical importance. The results of the study can be used in law-making and environmental protection activities related to issues of cultivating and using the Jerusalem artichoke as a means of improving agroecology.

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