The Effect of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems with Different Tillage on Soil Properties and Enzymatic Activity

Mirosław Kobierski,Joanna Lemanowicz,Krystyna Kondratowicz-Maciejewska,Piotr Wojewódzki

doi:10.3390/agronomy10111809

Abstract

The chemical properties and enzymatic activity of the surface soil horizon were compared between an organic farm (OF) (crop rotation with legume plants, fertilisation with manure) and a conventional farm (CF) (simplified crop rotation, mineral fertilisation, chemical crop protection products). In the years 2001-2017 on the OF (near the village of Juchowo, northern Poland), a reduced tillage system (ploughless) was used, while plough cultivation was used on a CF located in its immediate vicinity. The parameters used to assess the properties of soils were: particle size composition, pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). The activity of dehydrogenases (DEH), catalase (CAT), alkaline phosphatase (AlP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) and the content of easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EEGRSP) were also determined. Sixteen years of soil use in accordance with ecological principles significantly increased the average content of TOC, NT, DOC and DON. Soil samples rich in TOC and DOC showed significantly higher DEH and AcP activity, and EEGRSP content. Statistical analysis showed that the activity of DEH, AlP and CAT in the soil was significantly higher for the OF than for the conventional cultivation system. Limiting soil cultivation procedures on the OF improved the balance of soil organic matter (SOM) and pH value, and significantly increased the content of EEGRSP as compared to the cultivation system used on the CF.

Highlights

The primary goal of both conventional and organic farming is plant production
In organic farming, all cultivation procedures aim to protect the environment while maintaining high crop quality, whereas in conventional agriculture the ultimate end is high yield, i.e., maximum economic efficiency
The soil type was classified as Luvisols according to WRB [38]. The fields of both farms have similar relief features and the morphology of soil. This is an example of the transition from conventional tillage to reduced tillage and the soils on the conventional farm (CF) can be considered as control area for the soils of organic farm (OF), which allows assessing the soil properties and enzymatic activity after 16 years of organic soil management

Summary

Introduction

The primary goal of both conventional and organic farming is plant production. In organic farming, all cultivation procedures aim to protect the environment while maintaining high crop quality, whereas in conventional agriculture the ultimate end is high yield, i.e., maximum economic efficiency. In order to achieve the intended goal in conventional agriculture, repeated high doses of artificial fertilisers and chemical crop protection materials are often used [1,2]. These may degrade the soil environment, contaminate the groundwater and negatively affect microorganisms. European Union legislation [5] defines organic farming as a system of sustainable management of plant and animal production within a farm, based on technologically unprocessed biological and mineral substances

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Conclusion