scholarly journals Competitiveness of organically grown cereals

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Jánský ◽  
Iva Živělová ◽  
Jan Křen ◽  
Soňa Valtýniová
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Cereal Species

The contribution is aimed at the assessment of recommended crop management practices of chosen cereals for organic farming. To increase competitiveness, these practices are modified depending on soil and climatic conditions, and on a way of production use. Furthermore, impacts of the recommended crop management practices on economics of growing chosen cereals are evaluated and compared with economic results obtained under conventional farming. It is assumed that achieved results will contribute to the increase in proportion of arable crops in the Czech Republic where organic production offer does not meet current demands.When evaluating results of growing individual cereal species in a selective set of organic farms, triticale, spelt and spring barley (in this ranking) can be considered as profitable crops. Moreover, triticale and spelt have even higher gross margin under organic farming than under conventional farming (by 62 % in triticale). Oat brings losses, however, it is important for livestock production. Winter wheat seems to be also unprofitable since less grain is produced at lower imputs per hectare and only part of it is produced in quality “bio”, i.e. marketed for higher prices. Rye also brings losses under organic farming, particularly due to lower yields, similarly to the other mentioned cereals. Special cereal species that are still neglected in organic farming systems are of potential use. Durum wheat has vitreous kernels with a high content of quality gluten which is used for pasta production. It can be grown in the maize production area on fertile soils only.

scholarly journals Transition from Conventional to Organic Farming Systems: II. Summary of Discussion Session and Recommendations for Future Research

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-612
Author(s):  
Gladis M. Zinati
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Discussion Session ◽  
Organic Farming Systems

A question/answer discussion session was conducted at the conclusion of the workshop “Pest Management During Transition to Organic Farming Systems”. The following categories were used to summarize the discussion: 1) questions and answers related to cultural and biological practices and their effects under various climatic conditions, 2) recommendations for pest management, and 3) future research needs. While many tactics are available, selecting and adopting the most suitable approach depends on soil conditions of the land, location, and the availability of the resources at affordable prices. Definitely, more research studies are needed on 1) weed seed banks under various cultural practices at different regions, 2) relationships between soil nutrients, and pest control, and 3) approaches to increase profitability of organic production during the transition period.

Economic performance of organic vs conventional vegetables production in Gaza strip

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-18
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abu Shaban
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Economic Potential ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Lower Production

Organic farming has achieved significant growth in developing countries. However, it is still in some areas such as Gaza strip at embryonic stage. Introduction and promotion of organic farming would need more information about economic feasibility of shifting from the existing conventional farms to organic farming system. This is the main aim of this study. Data was collected from 100 randomly selected farmers in southern area of Gaza strip using standard questionnaire. Additional focus group discussions were conducted for further qualitative analyses. Data was also collected from the organic farm of Safe Agriculture Association where vegetables are organically produced and marketed. Gross margin and comparative analyses were used to describe cost structure of conventional and organic production and to assess economic potentialities to shift to organic farming. Results varied among vegetable crops as some crops showed very high economic potential to shift to organic farming while other crops did not. Major reasons for crops with good potential were higher yield under organic farming, premium market prices and lower production costs. Major reasons for lower economic potential to shift were the significant lower yield and higher production costs. The study recommends further technical research to explore organic production techniques that allows for higher yield and lower production cost. The study also recommends further market research to investigate consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for organic products.

scholarly journals Agroecological optimization of the technology for growing spring barley in the Penza region using the DSS

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (46) ◽  
pp. 22-22
Author(s):  
Alexander Saakian ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Spring Barley ◽  
Calculated Data ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Complete Set ◽  
Actual Yield ◽  
Program Modules

Abstract The article presents the results of modeling the cultivation of barley on leached chernozems of the Penza region. In order to conduct modeling, the Decision Support System (DSS) for agroecological optimization of adaptive farming systems was modernized. The adaptation of the program modules to the climatic and soil conditions of a particular research area allowed us to reach 7% of the error when modeling the cultivation of agricultural crops in the presence of a complete set of indicators necessary for building the model. Technological calculations of the model made it possible to reduce the number of minimum necessary technological operations, as well as rationally distribute the application of mineral fertilizers for the planned yield. The economic calculations of the model allowed us to achieve a high profitability of production of 66±7%. The constructed model was tested at the experimental field in 2020. Practical verification showed the possibility of using the model in agricultural production under normal climatic conditions and its high correlation with the actual results obtained. Statistical analysis of the calculated data of the model and the actual yield with the achieved economic indicators in the conditions of the model field showed the level of reliability of calculations of 95%. Keywords: AGROECOLOGICAL OPTIMIZATION, AGROECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, AGROECOLOGICAL MODELING

scholarly journals The effect of stand structure on the grain quality of spring barley

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 205-210
Author(s):  
Jan Křen ◽  
Martin Houšť ◽  
Ludvík Tvarůžek ◽  
Zdeněk Jergl
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Malting Quality ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
High Level

The results of 81 different crop management practices in spring barley grown in small-plot field trials on fertile soils in central Moravia were assessed during 2014–2016 with the aim to achieve the highest gross margin (GM – calculated as the difference between revenues and direct costs). GM was most affected by protein content in the grain below 12% corresponding to malting quality. Analyses identified greater determination level of non-linear relationships between stand structure elements and the content of nitrogen substances in the grain. This indicates that the probability of obtaining high quality malting barley is increased when a high level of sinks (number of grains/m<sup>2</sup>) corresponding to availability of sources, mainly water, is formed by optimal plant density (300–400/m<sup>2</sup>) and balanced combination of both structural elements of crop stand, i.e. – number of spikes per plant (2–4) and number of grains per spike (18–26). In case that the high level of sinks will be formed predominantly by one element, the risk of higher protein content in grain increases. This constitutes the requirement of early sowing and uniform, synchronized tillering and efficient use of nitrogen fertilizers.

Biological indicators of soil quality in organic farming systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Stockdale ◽  
C.A. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Biological Quality ◽  
Organic Farming Systems ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe health of the soil, recognized by its active role in the linked processes of decomposition and nutrient supply, is considered as the foundation of agriculture by the organic farming movement. Nutrient management in organically managed soils is fundamentally different from that of conventional agricultural systems. Crop rotations are designed with regard to maintenance of fertility with a focus on nutrient recycling. Where nutrients are added to the system, inputs are in organic and/or non-synthetic fertilizer sources that are mostly slow release in nature. Hence a greater reliance is placed on soil chemical and biological processes to release nutrients in plant-available forms. In this respect, nutrient availability in organically farmed soils is more dependent upon soil processes than is the case in conventional agriculture. The development and use of biological indicators of soil quality may therefore be more important in organic (and other low input) farming systems. The aim of this paper is to evaluate current evidence for the impact of organic farming systems on soil biological quality and consider the identification of appropriate biological indicators for use by organic farmers and their advisors. Organic farming systems are generally associated with increased biological activity and increased below-ground biodiversity. The main impacts on biological fertility do not result from the systemsper sebut are related to the amount and quality of the soil organic matter pool and disruptions of soil habitat via tillage. Even within the constraints of organic farming practices it is possible for farmers to make changes to management practices which will tend to improve soil biological quality. It is, however, by no means clear that distinct indicators of soil biological quality are needed for organic farming systems. It is important not only to identify the most appropriate indicators but also to ensure that farmers and land managers can understand and relate to them to support on-farm management decisions.

scholarly journals Belowground fungal community diversity, composition and ecological functionality associated with winter wheat in conventional and organic agricultural systems

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9732
Author(s):  
Sigisfredo Garnica ◽  
Ronja Rosenstein ◽  
Max Emil Schön
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Fungal Community ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fungal Communities ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Total N ◽  
Ecological Functionality ◽  
Organic Farming Systems

Understanding the impacts of agricultural practices on belowground fungal communities is crucial in order to preserve biological diversity in agricultural soils and enhance their role in agroecosystem functioning. Although fungal communities are widely distributed, relatively few studies have correlated agricultural production practices. We investigated the diversity, composition and ecological functionality of fungal communities in roots of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) growing in conventional and organic farming systems. Direct and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications spanning the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA from pooled fine root samples were performed with two different sets of fungal specific primers. Fungal identification was carried out through similarity searches against validated reference sequences (RefSeq). The R package ‘picante’ and FUNGuild were used to analyse fungal community composition and trophic mode, respectively. Either by direct or cloning sequencing, 130 complete ITS sequences were clustered into 39 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (25 singletons), belonging to the Ascomycota (24), the Basidiomycota (14) and to the Glomeromycota (1). Fungal communities from conventional farming sites are phylogenetically more related than expected by chance. Constrained ordination analysis identified total N, total S and Pcal that had a significant effect on the OTU’s abundance and distribution, and a further correlation with the diversity of the co-occurring vegetation could be hypothesised. The functional predictions based on FUNGuild suggested that conventional farming increased the presence of plant pathogenic fungi compared with organic farming. Based on diversity, OTU distribution, nutrition mode and the significant phylogenetic clustering of fungal communities, this study shows that fungal communities differ across sampling sites, depending on agricultural practices. Although it is not fully clear which factors determine the fungal communities, our findings suggest that organic farming systems have a positive effect on fungal communities in winter wheat crops.

scholarly journals Yields of Organically Grown Sweet Pepper Cultivars and Lines during the Hot-wet and Cool-dry Season in the Tropics

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 418-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Juroszek ◽  
Hsing-Hua Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Sweet Pepper ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Viable Alternative ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Commercial Cultivars ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Cool Dry Season

Organic production is considered by many researchers to be a viable alternative to conventional farming systems. Equivalent yields already have been demonstrated in several studies. The major objective of our study was to collect data on total and marketable fruit yields of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) under organic farming conditions in the tropics. Experiments were conducted during the hot-wet season from 7 Mar. 2007 to 30 July 2007 and during the cool-dry season from 27 Nov. 2007 to 7 Apr. 2008. The six experimental entries included four commercial F1 hybrids and two genotypes bred at AVRDC–The World Vegetable Center (Shanhua, Taiwan). During the hot-wet season, high total (44.6–55.7 t·ha−1) and marketable yields (36.9–45.6 t·ha−1) were achieved under organic farming conditions in the open field similar to yields of conventionally produced sweet pepper in previous field experiments at AVRDC. The total yield of the commercial cultivars Queen Star and Hercules exceeded 50 t·ha−1; however, this was not significantly different compared with the other trial entries. During the cool-dry season, the total (25.4–45.7 t·ha−1) and marketable yields (21.1–37.8 t·ha−1) of all trial entries were reduced, probably because the relatively late planting date in November and relatively low air temperature resulted in reduced fruit set. The commercial cultivars Andalus and Green Bell Improved realized in both seasons a total fruit yield of more than 40.0 t·ha−1, suggesting that these can be grown successfully in hot-wet and cool-dry seasons. The relatively high yields of sweet pepper achieved on-station under tropical climatic conditions may encourage farmers and agricultural stakeholders to consider organic farming approaches as a viable alternative to conventional farming systems.

scholarly journals Organic Corn Production Practices and Profitability in the Eastern U.S. Corn Belt

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8682
Author(s):  
Caroline Brock ◽  
Douglas Jackson-Smith ◽  
Subbu Kumarappan ◽  
Steve Culman ◽  
Cathy Herms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Corn Production ◽  
Outreach Programs ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Certified Organic

Efforts to assess and improve the sustainability performance of the growing organic farming sector depend on an accurate understanding of farm structure and management practices. To contribute to the dearth of literature in this area, we conducted a survey of over 850 certified organic corn growers in four states (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) in the spring of 2018. Findings show that most organic corn growers in this region had diversified livestock operations (mostly dairy) on relatively small farms (10–100 ha), which contrasts with trends of specialization and growth in farm size. More than half were dairy farmers, and nearly two-thirds farmed with horses (likely Amish). Soil fertility and health were managed by the use of manure, cover crops, forages, and a variety of other soil amendments. Organic corn growers relied heavily on moldboard plow tillage. All producers had positive net returns to labor and management in 2017, though net returns varied widely across operations. The results have implications for assessing the sustainability of organic farming systems, and for designing scientific research and extension/outreach programs to ensure they address the needs of the diverse organic farming population in this region.

scholarly journals A review on use of agrochemical in agriculture and need of organic farming in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-372
Author(s):  
Susan Makaju ◽  
Kabita Kurunju
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Agriculture Policy ◽  
Organic Farming System ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Chemical Pesticides

The growing use of chemical pesticides haphazardly and their harmful influence on ecosystem and human health highlight the necessity for safe and sustainable organic production in our time. The article reviews a general overview of organic farming; the impact of organic farming on soil health and climate mitigation in comparison with conventional farming practice in Nepal. The article identifies the problems and possibilities of organic farming to resuscitate the pesticide-dominated conventional practice in Nepal. Organic farming now has been embedded in the natural agriculture policy in Nepal. Organic farming benefits in terms of environmental protection along with better living health. Various governmental and non-governmental bodies, farmers, and individuals are working to promote organic farming in Nepal. With the increase in awareness of health and environmental concerns, the adoption of organic agriculture and the demand for organic agricultural products is increasing. It holds a great prospect in countries like ours where an integrated crop-livestock system is still prevalent in many parts of the country. As a result, an organic farming system in Nepal must be thoroughly investigated and supported through proper regulations and tactics. It is urged to supplant pesticide-based conventional farming with organic farming that leads towards agricultural sustainability for the upcoming generation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document