Abstract
We are at a pivotal time in human history, as the agricultural sector undergoes consolidation coupled with increasing energy costs in the context of declining resource availability. Although organic systems are often thought of as more sustainable than conventional operations, the lack of concise and widely accepted means to measure sustainability makes coming to an agreement on this issue quite challenging. However, an accurate assessment of sustainability can be reached by dissecting the scientific underpinnings of opposing production practices and crop output between cropping systems. The purpose of this review is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation of modern global production practices and economics of organic cropping systems, as well as assess the sustainability of organic production practices through the clarification of information and analysis of recent research. Additionally, this review addresses areas where improvements can be made to help meet the needs of future organic producers, including organic-focused breeding programs and necessity of coming to a unified global stance on plant breeding technologies. By identifying management strategies that utilize practices with long-term environmental and resource efficiencies, a concerted global effort could guide the adoption of organic agriculture as a sustainable food production system.
Highlights
Organic soils receiving manure application and cover crop incorporation were found to have higher soil organic C, soluble P, exchangeable K, and pH compared to soil from conventional systems
Concentrations of soil Ca, K, Mg, Mn were higher in soils under organic fertility management after two years
Total C, and CEC were higher whereas bulk density was reduced in plots with organic fertility amendments
Summary
The Definition and State of Global Organic Production. Organic crop production is practiced throughout the world, but the official definition and requirements vary country to country (Figure 1). In the United States, the definition of “organic”. Provided through the government regulated U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic. Program (NOP) is not simple, but a rather lengthy and detailed description of all aspects associated with the production, handling, processing, and labeling of organic products, which are strictly enforced. The NOP defines organic agriculture as “an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony”.
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