scholarly journals Bioherbicidal Potential of the Essential Oils from Mediterranean Lamiaceae for Weed Control in Organic Farming

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 818
Author(s):  
Giuseppe De Mastro ◽  
Jihane El Mahdi ◽  
Claudia Ruta

In all farming systems, weeds are the most expensive pest to manage, accounting for 30% of potential losses. In organic farming, the problem may be further amplified by restrictions on herbicides, thus making weeds the main problem faced by organic farmers in the field. In this sense, much research is focusing on the allelopathic potential of plants as an ecological weed control tool. Many plant species can release allelopathic compounds with high phytotoxicity that can be used in weed control. Species belonging to the Lamiaceae family have been studied widely for this purpose, and their essential oils (EOs) appear to be promising bioherbicides. However, there are still many challenges for their development. Considering these aspects, a review of the bioherbicidal effect of EOs from Mediterranean Lamiaceae could help identify the most effective ones and the challenges for their actual development.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (S1) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
Brian P. Baker ◽  
Brigid M. Meints ◽  
Patrick M. Hayes

AbstractBarley fits well into many different organic farming systems. It can be grown as either a winter or spring annual crop in many temperate regions. Barley can be used for food, malting, or animal feed, providing growers with diverse marketing opportunities. Despite its advantages, many organic farmers in the USA have not adopted barley as a regular crop in their rotation. Researchers surveyed organic barley producers to discover what they considered to be the main obstacles to growing barley. The primary obstacles identified were limited markets and price. Breeding and development of high-quality barley suitable for organic systems and specialty markets may be a way to expand markets and secure a better price. Farmers identified yield as the most important agronomic trait of interest, but other traits such as nutritional quality were also highly ranked. Naked (hull-less) barley bred for multi-use quality is a possible alternative that allows organic farmers to sell into multiple markets. Most respondents expressed interest in the development of such varieties suitable for organic farming conditions. The researchers conducted follow-up interviews to obtain detailed information on how barley is used in organic farming systems, production practices, costs of production, and what traits farmers would like to see breeders focus on.


Author(s):  
Supriyadi Supriyadi ◽  
Sumani Sumani ◽  
Purwanto Purwanto ◽  
Mustofa Mustofa

Background, excessive exploitation of paddy land in the long term without the addition of organic matter have resulted in soil become damaged. To meet the needs of food (rice) healthy and improve the functioning of the land, then there is no best alternative except development of organic farming systems. To be able to implement a system of organic farming, it is necessary to aplication of seed quality assurance. IbPUD activities carried out ini the village Ketapang, local village government has formed group of paddy organic farmers, but due to constraints in the available of seed rice organic . The purpose, carry out assistance to Farmers and Farmers Group in the establishment of the sources of seed organic rice and the acquisition of organic certification. The method, is Focus Group Discussion which emphasizes dialogue interpersosnal and mentoring. The program is implementing educational methods that involve the active participation of the participants from the three (3) groups of paddy organic farmers partners in Ketapang. The training was held in the form of : (1) seed rice breading management trainin, (2) training of organic rice management with the use of local waste and can be as alternative of organic fertilizers, and (3) training buines management.Results, an increasing number of farmers' groups who implement sources of seed organic rice of 4 (four) varietas (Mentik Susu, Mentik Wangi, Hitam Arang and Merah Anoman) to 3 farmer groups (15Ha). In conclusion, most members of the Farmers Group Al-Barokah have felt: (a) the benefit of the treatment of organic in terms of soil quality and the products of organic rice and its by-products, (b) an increase in value-added organic products and farmers' income, (c) the importance of maintaining paddy according to its function, (d) have become independent farmers in organic rice cultivation.<br />Keywords: Organic farming systems, Organic certification, Interpersonal dialogue


2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 692-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Leary ◽  
Joe DeFrank

An important aspect of organic farming is to minimize the detrimental impact of human intervention to the surrounding environment by adopting a natural protocol in system management. Traditionally, organic farming has focused on the elimination of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and a reliance on biological cycles that contribute to improving soil health in terms of fertility and pest management. Organic production systems are ecologically and economically sustainable when practices designed to build soil organic matter, fertility, and structure also mitigate soil erosion and nutrient runoff. We found no research conducted under traditional organic farming conditions, comparing bareground monoculture systems to systems incorporating the use of living mulches. We will be focusing on living mulch studies conducted under conventional methodology that can be extrapolated to beneficial uses in an organic system. This article discusses how organic farmers can use living mulches to reduce erosion, runoff, and leaching and also demonstrate the potential of living mulch systems as comprehensive integrated pest management plans that allow for an overall reduction in pesticide applications. The pesticide reducing potential of the living mulch system is examined to gain insight on application within organic agriculture.


Author(s):  
A and S Richardson

Organic farming in New Zealand is not considered a mainstream option for farmers. This paper compares organic and conventional farms running side by side at Avalon Farming and details why Avalon Farming is expanding its organic area. Included in the paper are details of the conversion to organic farming and its success. Topics include: 1. Challenges of converting from a conventional to an organic system. 2. Comparing conventional and organic production and the financial returns. 3. Marketing options for organic farmers in New Zealand including the growth of farmers markets.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Eyhorn ◽  
Marrit van den Berg ◽  
Charlotte Decock ◽  
Harro Maat ◽  
Ashish Srivastava

Smallholder rice farming is characterized by low returns and substantial environmental impact. Conversion to organic management and linking farmers to fair trade markets could offer an alternative. Engaging in certified cash-crop value chains could thereby provide an entry path to simultaneously reduce poverty and improve environmental sustainability. Based on comprehensive data from a representative sample of approximately 80 organic and 80 conventional farms in northern India, we compared yield and profitability of the main rotation crops over a period of five years. Contrary to the widespread belief that yields in organic farming are inevitably lower, our study shows that organic farmers achieved the same yields in cereals and pulses as conventional farmers, with considerably lower external inputs. Due to 45% lower production costs and higher sales prices, organic basmati cultivation was 105% more profitable than cultivating ordinary rice under conventional management. However, since holdings are small and the share of agricultural income of total household income is declining, conversion to organic basmati farming alone will not provide households a sufficiently attractive perspective into the future. We propose that future efforts to enhance the long-term viability of rice-based organic farming systems in this region focus on diversification involving higher value crops.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2264
Author(s):  
Md. Mahfuzur Rob ◽  
Kawsar Hossen ◽  
Mst. Rokeya Khatun ◽  
Keitaro Iwasaki ◽  
Arihiro Iwasaki ◽  
...  

The allelopathic potential of plant species and their related compounds has been increasingly reported to be biological tools for weed control. The allelopathic potential of Garcinia xanthochymus was assessed against several test plant species: lettuce, rapeseed, Italian ryegrass, and timothy. The extracts of G. xanthochymus leaves significantly inhibited all the test plants in a concentration- and species-specific manner. Therefore, to identify the specific compounds involved in the allelopathic activity of the G. xanthochymus extracts, assay-guided purification was carried out and two allelopathic compounds were isolated and identified as methyl phloretate {3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid methyl ester} and vanillic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid). Both of the substances significantly arrested the cress and timothy seedlings growth. I50 values (concentrations required for 50% inhibition) for shoots and roots growth of the cress and timothy were 113.6–104.6 and 53.3–40.5 μM, respectively, for methyl phloretate, and 331.6–314.7 and 118.8–107.4 μM, respectively, for vanillic acid, which implied that methyl phloretate was close to 3- and 2-fold more effective than vanillic acid against cress and timothy, respectively. This report is the first on the presence of methyl phloretate in a plant and its phytotoxic property. These observations suggest that methyl phloretate and vanillic acid might participate in the phytotoxicity of G. xanthochymus extract.


Author(s):  
Deanna Lloyd ◽  
Garry Stephenson

This exploratory study investigates perceptions of the transition to certified organic production among farmers in the U.S. state of Oregon who were actively transitioning all or part of their operation to certified organic production. It examines the influence of farmer experience with organic farming systems on motivations and obstacles to transition to certified organic farming. The analysis creates and compares three categories of farmers based on their total years of farming experience and years of farming using organic methods—Experienced Organic Farmers, Beginning Organic Farmers, and Experienced Farmers Beginning Organic—and provides insights into the economic and ideological motivations for transitioning to certified organic, as well as the economic, production, and marketing obstacles inherent to certified organic transition.


HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 558C-558
Author(s):  
N.G. Creamer ◽  
K.R. Baldwin ◽  
F.J. Louws

Consumer demand for organically produced food and the desire by many farmers to eliminate chemical fertilizers and pesticides is increasing the need for research and educational programs to support organic farmers. To date, the land-grant universities and the cooperative extension service have been viewed by organic farmers as unresponsive to this need. The primary reason for the unresponsiveness has been inadequate training and resource materials available to extension agents. In 1998, we conducted an intensive training for agriculture agents in North Carolina. Funding was provided by the USDA SARE Professional Development Program. More than 50 agents participated in a series of workshops that were offered together as a graduate course worth four NCSU credits. Much of the training was conducted on the Organic Unit at The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), a 100-acre facility dedicated to research and education in organic farming systems. The hands-on training consisted of lectures, demonstrations, field trips, and class exercises. The topic areas included soil biology/ecology; crop rotation; organic nutrient management; composting; cover crop management; organic weed, insect, and disease management; appropriate tillage practices; organic greenhouse management; marketing organic produce; integrating animals into organic crop production systems; delivery systems for disseminating information to organic producers, and; social and community development aspects of sustainable agriculture. Unique features of the workshops were the interdisciplinary approach to teaching them, and the integration of information about interactions between production factors. The training was very well-received and will serve as a model for future extension programming. A training manual, slide sets, extension publications, and a Web site are being created to further support agents as they conduct programming in their own counties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-79
Author(s):  
Cahyaningsih Cahyaningsih ◽  
Suprehatin Suprehatin

Organic farming is not the only potential solutions to overcome the problems of conventional farming systems by offering positive impacts on health and environment but also to fulfill the growing demand for healthier food. However, the growing demand for organic food was not responded simultaneously by an increase in the supply of organic food. This means that there is opportunity to increase participation of farmers to adopt organic rice farming systems. This study aims to analyze the adoption rate and factors affecting farmer adoption of organic rice farming system. This study used primary data of 32 organic and conventional farmers in Pringkasap Village Subang Regency. The respondents were chosen using census method for organic farmers and purposive sampling for conventional farmers.The data was analyzed used descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The results showed that the number of farmers adopted organic rice only 6.25% amongst the 265 rice farmers in Pringkasap Village. The results also showed that education, farmed land, farmer’s perception of the relative advantage of organic farming and number of family members are factors that significantly affect the adoption of organic rice farming in Pringkasap Village.


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