Effect of organic farming on soil microbiological parameters

Karolina Furtak,Anna Gałązka

doi:10.17951/pjss.2019.52.2.259

Abstract

<p>All over the world, including Poland, interest in the organic farming is growing. It is based on an attempt to minimize human impact on the environment while maintaining the natural functionality and productivity of the agricultural system. At the same time, every human activity in the natural environment results in greater or lesser changes in the soil ecosystem. Organic farming also has an impact on physical and chemical parameters and soil biological activity. These changes should be monitored and considered in the context of long-term land management. This review focuses on the impact of the organic farming system on soil biological activity and diversity of soil microorganisms.</p>

Highlights

According to the European Commission, the term “organic farming” is used to define agriculture which aims to minimize human impact on the environment while maintaining the natural functionality of the agricultural system (Fig. 1)
Research conducted by Tscharntke et al (2012) has shown that there are about 1,000 species of microorganisms in natural soil not cultivated for agricultural use, and about 140–150 species in 1 g of agricultural soil
Comparing the taxonomic composition of soil microbial from organic and conventional crops, researchers have shown that greater diversity of bacteria occurs in soils cultivated with organic farming (Hartmann et al 2015, Hiddink et al 2005), or that diversity persists at a similar level in both cultivation systems (Sugiyama et al 2010)

Summary

Introduction

According to the European Commission, the term “organic farming” is used to define agriculture which aims to minimize human impact on the environment while maintaining the natural functionality of the agricultural system (Fig. 1). It is claimed that the soil from organic farming is of higher quality through higher production of organic matter in comparison with conventional crops. Research conducted by Tscharntke et al (2012) has shown that there are about 1,000 species of microorganisms in natural soil not cultivated for agricultural use, and about 140–150 species in 1 g of agricultural soil.

Results

Conclusion