Agro-ecological Service Crops Research Articles

The concurrent assessment of agronomic, ecological and environmental variables enables better choice of agroecological service crop termination management

Abstract Although organic farming was originally promoted as an alternative farming system to address agronomic, environmental and ecological issues, its conventionalisation has led to an intensification and specialisation of production. In the light of this, several studies have questioned the environmental benefits of organic farming as well as its agronomic viability. Thus, there is a need to improve organic vegetable systems to reduce their environmental impact without affecting their productivity. To tackle this challenge, European farmers and researchers have recently started to focus on agroecological service crops (ASCs). However, few studies have simultaneously evaluated the agronomic, environmental and ecological aspects of ASC management under different European pedo‐climatic conditions. We evaluated effects of the ASC management strategies—no‐till roller crimping (NT‐RC) and green manuring (T‐GM) on cropping system performance using agronomic, environmental and ecological indicators—to exemplify the need for multidimensional analysis to understand management implications for addressing environmental and agronomic challenges. We combined the results from 11 organic vegetable field trials conducted in seven European countries over a period of 2 years to test for general trends. Our results provide solid evidence that NT‐RC management across different pedo‐climatic conditions in Europe enhances the activity density of ground and rove beetles and improves both the potential energy recycling within the system and weed control. However, in NT‐RC plots, lower cash crop yield and quality, energetic efficiency of production and activity density of spiders were observed compared to T‐GM. Synthesis and applications. Multidimensional analyses using agronomic, environmental and ecological indicators are required to understand the implications of agricultural management in agroecosystem functioning. Introducing agroecological service crops combined with the use of no‐till roller crimping is a promising strategy for improving agronomic performance (e.g. fewer weeds) and reducing environmental (e.g. increasing the potentially recyclable energy) and ecological (e.g. enhancing the activity density of beneficial taxa such as ground and rove beetles) impacts. However, our study also indicates a need for agronomic and environmental improvements while promoting a wider acceptance of this strategy.

Agroecological Service Crops Drive Plant Mycorrhization in Organic Horticultural Systems.

Mycorrhizal symbiosis represents a valuable tool for increasing plant nutrient uptake, affecting system biodiversity, ecosystem services and productivity. Introduction of agroecological service crops (ASCs) in cropping systems may determine changes in weed community, that can affect the development of the mycorrhizal mycelial network in the rhizosphere, favoring or depressing the cash crop mycorrhization. Two no-till Mediterranean organic horticultural systems were considered: one located in central Italy, where organic melon was transplanted on four winter-cereals mulches (rye, spelt, barley, wheat), one located in southern Italy (Sicily), where barley (as catch crop) was intercropped in an organic young orange orchard, with the no tilled, unweeded systems taken as controls. Weed “Supporting Arbuscular Mycorrhiza” (SAM) trait, weed density and biodiversity indexes, mycorrhization of coexistent plants in the field, the external mycelial network on roots were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, crop P uptake, yield and quality were evaluated. We verified that cereals, used as green mulches or intercropped, may drive the weed selection in favor of the SAM species, and promote the mycelial network, thus significantly increasing the mycorrhization, the P uptake, the yield and quality traits of the cash crop. This is a relevant economic factor when introducing sustainable cropping practices and assessing the overall functionality of the agroecosystem.

Termination method and time of agro-ecological service crops influence soil mineral nitrogen, cabbage yield and root growth across five locations in Northern and Western Europe

Abstract Agro-ecological service crops (ASCs), also known as cover crops, green manures or catch crops, can improve organic vegetable production in terms of weed suppression, nitrogen (N) recycling, or addition of N through symbiotic N2 fixation by legumes. Traditionally, ASCs are terminated through full incorporation into the soil (FI), but alternative termination without tillage is available by roller-crimping (RC). The applicability of RC to Northern and Western European climates has only been studied to a limited extend. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the N dynamics involved in FI and RC of legume and cereal ASCs in organic cabbage production across Northern and Western European climates. Field experiments were conducted at one location in Estonia and in Denmark, and at three locations in Belgium during two cropping cycles (2015/2016 and 2016/2017) to assess the effect of ASC termination method in spring (FI and RC) and ASC species (pea, pea/cereal mixtures and cereals), compared with a bare soil control (BS), on soil mineral N content, N accumulation, yield, and root growth of a following crop of cabbage. Agro-ecological service crops, and in particular cereals, reduced N availability for succeeding cabbage compared with BS by 37–73%. Similar marketable cabbage yield was obtained under FI and BS in two out of four cases in Belgium, due to higher availability of soil mineral N when terminated earlier (April/May) than RC (May/June). However, FI reduced marketable yields by 36–98 % in the other cases in Belgium and in two out of four cases in Estonia and Denmark, where FI was conducted in May/June. Overall, cabbage marketable yields were reduced by 68–100% under RC compared to BS and FI in seven out of nine cases mainly due to reduced soil mineral N availability. Soil mineral N availability was lower under RC likely because of a slower mineralisation of ASCs and soil organic matter. Besides, the termination of ASCs close to the time of cabbage planting under RC increased pre-emptive competition on N. Cabbage marketable yield could be maintained under RC at fertilisation by 236 kg N ha−1 following pea in Denmark. Cabbage root growth was generally increased with higher above ground plant biomass across treatments in Estonia and Denmark, while the relationship was reverse under RC in East Flanders, indicating changes in resource allocation. Soil mineral N at harvest did not differ among treatments in deeper depth, showing no higher risk of N leaching from FI or RC. In conclusion, RC showed major yield reductions in the first and second year after conversion from spring tillage. Therefore, further investigations should verify improved yields under longer-term RC practice, e.g. due to build-up of soil organic matter, before implementation can be recommended in organic vegetable production in Northern and Western Europe.

How Do Intensification Practices Affect Weed Management and Yield in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) Crop?

Quinoa cultivation is well-adapted to sustainable cropping systems, even if seed yield could be severely limited due to several constraints, such as weeds. Field trials were performed in Gorgan (Iran) to quantify the effects of agro-ecological service crops (rye, CCr; winter vetch, CCw; and no cover, CC0), tillage regimes (conventional tillage, CT; and no-tillage, ZT), and herbicide rates (100% rate, H100; 75% rate, H75; and without herbicide, H0). Weed characteristics and quinoa yield were measured. Quinoa seed yield was the highest in CCw-ZT-H100. Seed yield in H100 and H75 were higher compared with H0 (2.30 vs. 1.58 t ha−1, respectively). Under conventional tillage, 46% of weed seeds were observed in the 0–10 cm soil layer and 54% in 10–20 cm soil layers, respectively, while, under no-tillage, about 63% of weed seeds were located up to 10 cm of soil. Amaranthus retroflexus L. was the most abundant species. The total weed density was the lowest in CCr-ZT-H100 and tended to be higher in CC0 (30.9 plant m−2) and under CT (29.0 plant m−2). These findings indicate that cover crops have potential for managing weeds in quinoa; however, their inclusion should be supported by chemical means to maintain high seed.

Weed Functional Diversity as Affected by Agroecological Service Crops and No-Till in a Mediterranean Organic Vegetable System.

This paper explores the effect of agroecological service crops (ASCs), i.e., crops included in the crop rotation for their ecosystem services, terminated with an in-line tillage roller crimper (ILRC) on weed community composition and their functional traits in comparison to a tilled control without ASC. A two-year study was performed in a long-term experiment with vegetables under organic management. Four different cereal crops were introduced as ASCs. Weed abundance and richness and the functional traits were assessed at three different stages, i.e., before and after ASC termination and before harvest of the following crop, melon. All the ASCs showed strong weed suppression, with few differences between the cereals tested. Weed communities with ASCs had later flowering onset and wider flowering span compared to the control, which positively affects weed dispersal and attraction of beneficial insects. However, weed communities with ASCs had higher values for traits related to competition (specific leaf area, seed weight and more perennials). A trade-off between weed suppression and selection of more competitive weed communities by the introduction of ASCs managed with the ILRC should be evaluated in the long-run. The use of the ILRC alternating with other soil management practices seems the more effective strategy to benefit from the minimal soil tillage while avoiding the selection of disservice-related traits in the weed community.

Sustainability of agro-ecological practices in organic horticulture: yield, energy-use and carbon footprint

ABSTRACTIn a two-year experiment, agroecological service crops (ASCs) introduction before organic zucchini and lettuce vs no-ASCs (CT), and two ASCs termination strategies (green manure, GM vs roller crimper, NT) were compared. The objective was to assess the environmental sustainability in a Mediterranean environment. Agronomic performance, energy analysis and carbon footprint were assessed. Although lower zucchini and lettuce yields than GM, the NT strategy was more sustainable than GM and CT, showing energy efficiencyof 0.64, 0.31 and 0.13%, respectively, and showing the highest carbon stored in the soil. NT can reach a good compromise between crop production and impact of agricultural activities.

Agroecological service crops managed with roller crimper reduce weed density and weed species richness in organic vegetable systems across Europe

AbstractAgroecological service crops are introduced into the vegetable crop rotation to provide agroecosystem services, and are a key strategy for weed management in organic systems. Organic farmers across Europe usually terminate these crops before cultivation of the subsequent cash crop, using them as green manure. Recently, the in-line tillage-roller crimper has attracted interest across Europe. It allows flattening the agroecological service crops and creates a narrow furrow that facilitates the fertilization and transplantation of organic vegetables. In Europe, most of the research on this technology has been carried out in Italy, and no studies are available analyzing its effect on weed density, weed species richness, and community composition in different vegetable crops, soils, and climatic conditions across Europe. We compared the effects of the usage of in-line tillage-roller crimper versus green manure on the weed abundance, species richness, and community composition in fourteen original datasets from five countries over 2 years. The support for a common effect of in-line tillage-roller crimper across trials was tested by means of a meta-analytic approach based on a weighted version of Stouffer’s method. Our results indicate that in-line tillage-roller crimper management reduced weed density by 35.1% on average in comparison with green manure, and this trend was significant across trials. Moreover, we document a significant reduction of weed species richness under this technique and significant but, in general, minor changes in the weed community composition across the trials. Therefore, this study provides for the first time a solid evidence of the effectiveness of this management technique to reduce weed density at the early stages of crop growth across a wide range of vegetable systems and production conditions in Europe. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the effect of this technology can be strongly affected by variations in cropping conditions.

Energy flows in European organic vegetable systems: Effects of the introduction and management of agroecological service crops

Reducing inputs by promoting the recycling of energy within a cropping system is one of the principles of organic farming. To this end, the introduction and proper management of agroecological service crops (ASC) can play a key role. Few studies have analysed the effect of ASC introduction and compared energy flows under green manure (ASC-GM) and no-till roller crimper (ASC-NT) management. Moreover, current energy flows studies do not account for all the sources of energy that could be recycled within a cropping system, and none of them have evaluated the efficiency of cropping systems for recycling energy.Our study, which gathered information on eight field experiments across six European countries over two years, indicates that ASC inclusion and management required, on average, a 19.73% higher input investment than systems that did not include them. Nevertheless, ASC management strategies were more prone to increase the energy that potentially could be recycled within the cropping system. Moreover, this study also provides, for the first time, evidence that ASC-NT reduces the marketable production efficiency relative to ASC-GM but improves the environmental performance by increasing the potential energy that can be recycled within the cropping system across a wide range of European pedo-climatic conditions.

Effects of cereals as agro-ecological service crops and no-till on organic melon, weeds and N dynamics.

ABSTRACTIn a two-year field experiment undertaken in Central Italy, different agro-ecological service crops (ASCs), terminated by the no-till roller crimper technology before organic melon production (Cucumis melo L.), were evaluated by assessing soil-plant N dynamics, weed management and crop performance, and by comparing with a tilled control without ASC. The ASCs (Poaceae, i.e. rye, barley, wheat, spelt and their mixture), were characterised in terms of aboveground biomass, N uptake, C : N ratio and degradation rate. During the melon growth cycle, soil mineral N (SMN), weed density and biomass were measured and the design of trial included weeded and unweeded plots. The yield and concentrations of soluble solids of the melon was measured. The ASC mulches differed in their N supply capacity and degradation rate. Rye and spelt were the best in terms of weed control, with approximately 80% lower weed density and weed biomass for either rye or spelt compared with the control. Wheat was the least effective against weeds, but it enhanced SMN. Melon yields were similar in plots with spelt and rye, weeded and unweeded treatments, but were reduced in the unweeded control (−58.5%) and barley treatment (−41.2%), compared with the respective weeded treatments. The low melon yield in the plots with rye suggested a negative allelopathic rye-melon interaction. The results highlighted that the ASCs were able to regulate, to different extents, the agro-ecosystem interactions.

Impact of Agroecological Practices on Greenhouse Vegetable Production: Comparison among Organic Production Systems

In greenhouses, where intensive systems are widely used for organic production, the differences between “conventionalized” and agroecological approaches are especially evident. Among the agronomic practices, green manure from agroecological service crops (ASCs) and organic amendments represent the main tools for soil fertility management with respect to the substitution of synthetic fertilizer with organic ones (the input substitution approach). Over a two-year organic rotation, we compared a conventionalized system (SB) and two agroecological systems, characterized by ASC introduction combined with the use of manure (AM) and compost (AC) amendments. A system approach was utilized for the comparison assessment. For this purpose, agronomic performance, soil fertility and the density of soil arthropod activity were monitored for the entire rotation. The comprehensive evaluation of the parameters measured provided evidence that clearly differentiated SB from AM and AC. The drivers of discrimination were soil parameters referring to long term fertility and soil arthropod dynamics. The study confirmed the higher productivity of SB but also no positive impact on soil fertility and soil arthropods, as highlighted by AM and AC. Based on the results, a trade-off between productivity and the promotion of long-term ecosystem diversity and functioning is needed for the assessment of systems of organic production.

CO2 Flux and C Balance due to the Replacement of Bare Soil with Agro-Ecological Service Crops in Mediterranean Environment

Intensive agriculture practices often results in decomposition of organic matter, thus causing soil CO2 emissions. Agro-ecological service crop could be profitably cultivated to improve soil characteristics and reduce CO2 emissions under Mediterranean environment. Two-year field trials were conducted in central Italy. The treatments were three agro-ecological service crops (hairy vetch, oat, and oilseed rape) and a no-service cover. Plant development, soil characteristics, and CO2 emissions were measured. Oat and oilseed rape showed a rapid growth, while hairy vetch started to grow rapidly only after the cold period. Soil CO2 emissions trend was similar among the agro-ecological service crops and tended to decrease during the cold period, then gradually increased until April when warm temperatures were observed. The high soil CO2 emissions and respiration index observed in hairy vetch probably stimulated mineral nutrients, especially nitrogen, to become more available in the soil compared to oat and oilseed rape throughout the decomposition of soil organic matter. These results confirmed that the cultivation of agro-ecological service crops, especially hairy vetch, could represent a suitable strategy for enhancing carbon sequestration and lead to a mitigation of CO2 emissions during the fallow period and could thus contribute to the climate change mitigation.

Agroecological Practices and Agrobiodiversity: A Case Study on Organic Orange in Southern Italy

The integration of Agroecological Service Crops (ASCs) into agroecosystems can provide several ecological services, such as nutrient cycling and disease and weed management. A two-year experiment on an organic orchard was carried out to compare barley (B) and horse bean (HB) ASCs with a control without ASC (Cont) in combination with fertilizers. Their effects on soil fertility and weed- and soil-borne fungi communities were evaluated by direct measurements, visual estimation, and indicators computation. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify latent patterns and redundancy among variables, whereas a correlation analysis was used to discriminate the compared systems within the PCA matrix. The empirical results of this study put in evidence the correlation among soil, weed, and fungal variables. A slight contribution of fertilizers on the system’s variability was observed, whereas a clear effect of ASCs was highlighted. The systems differed in weed communities, with the lowest density associated to B and the highest to Cont. B showed the highest fungal diversity, with changes in community compared to HB. HB showed a contribution on soil fertility, being associated to organic matter increase and N availability, and evidencing mixed impacts on soil quality and ecosystem functioning. Overall, the above-ground diversity and below-ground community results were inter-correlated.

Sustainability Assessment of Organic Vegetable Production Using a Qualitative Multi-Attribute Model

Organic agriculture is perceived as environmentally sustainable, but, under its umbrella, different production systems exist ranging from simplified organic productions to well diversified systems with a full implementation of agro-ecological approaches. Among several developed tools for agriculture sustainability assessment, multi-criteria models are increasingly gaining importance. In this study, we evaluated the use of the multi-criteria DEXi-BIOrt tool, coupled with data from long-term experiments, for the sustainability assessment of different organic vegetable production scenarios. These scenarios were applied in two Italian areas: the Adriatic coast of Marche Region and the Metaponto plan of Basilicata Region. Despite the presence of some critical issues, DEXI-BIOrt proved to be a valid tool for the sustainability evaluation of organic vegetable productions. In both areas, the most sustainable scenarios resulted the well diversified organic systems characterized by proper rotations, inclusion of agro-ecological service crops, cultivation of local and different cultivars, and presence of short supply chain mechanisms. Conversely, the implementation of the simplified organic substitution scenarios does not guarantee a suitable level of sustainability. The findings of this study could support decision makers in the implementation of appropriate measures for enhancing organic production sustainability in the framework of post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy.

Assessment of agro-ecological service crop managements combined with organic fertilisation strategies in organic melon crop

In organic horticultural systems, cover crops could provide several ecological services, therefore, they can be defined agroecological service crops (ASCs). The objective of this two-year research was to study the suitability on melon production of different ASC termination strategies, in combination with organic fertilisers application. In a split-block design, the main-plot was the ASC management, comparing: i) green manure, in which the vetch was chopped and plowed into the soil; and ii) roller-crimper (RC), in which the vetch was flattened by a roller-crimper; with iii) fallow control, without vetch. The subplot consisted of offfarm organic inputs: i) commercial humified fertiliser; ii) anaerobic digestate fertiliser; iii) composted municipal solid wastes; which were compared to iv) unfertilised control (N0). At vetch termination, above soil biomass and nitrogen (N) content were determined. At harvesting, crop yield performance and quality, N status and N efficiency were investigated. Also, main soil characteristics were assessed at the end of the trial. Among the ASC managements, the slightly reduced yield in the RC plots particularly in combination with N0 might have been the result of less N supplied by the vetch during the melon cycle. Anyway, no negative effects were observed for yield quality. The use of the RC showed a great potential in enhancing soil fertility. Our study suggests the suitability in organic farming of properly matching management of ASC and fertilisation strategies on melon crop.

Potential carbon sequestration in a Mediterranean organic vegetable cropping system. A model approach for evaluating the effects of compost and Agro-ecological Service Crops (ASCs)

Organic farming relies, for soil fertility management, on proper rotation designs, Agro-ecological Service Crops (ASCs) and a sound use of on- and off-farm organic inputs. The right combination of soil fertility factors in organic farming is essential to enhance soil organic C (SOC) sequestration.A field trial experiment was overlaid on an long term organic farming experiment, in Monsampolo del Tronto (42° 53′ N, 13° 48′ E) in Central Italy, based on a 4-years rotation, with 6 main crops, and 3 different ASCs. The treatments included: i) the alternative termination of the cover crop (barley) with roller crimper technique compared to green manure and ii) the application of compost (not applied before) in different doses. The barley managements were: green manure (GMB); flattened (FB) by the use of a roller crimper; no barley (NB) as control. The compost (Cp) doses were: 0, 15 and 30 Mg C ha−1 to study the effect on soil C dynamics of compost application and ASCs termination techniques.The historic and experiment results were used as input to run a soil C dynamics model (RothC10N) to predict the effect of the factors different combinations in a medium term (20 years).After two years from compost application, the SOC stock increased in all plots, by +1.8, +2.3 and +4.9 Mg C ha−1 for Cp0, Cp15 and Cp30 respectively, compared to the initial stock of 36.8 Mg ha−1. The effect of different ASCs termination and ASC × compost interaction was not statistically significant. The RothC10N model was used to predict the effect of ASCs (NoASCs, FB and GMB) and Cp doses in a 20 years period. Predictions of the calibrated and validated RothC10N model showed that SOC change in 20 years was negative in the scenario with no ASCs-no compost (NoASC Cp0), where the C inputs were not sufficient to offset C losses, whereas positive values were predicted for all the other scenarios. The average values of predicted C stock change in 20 years were 3.8, 13.3 and 19.8 Mg C ha−1 for NoASC, FB, and GMB respectively and 8.2. 12.2 and 16.5 Mg C ha−1. for Cp0, Cp15 and Cp30. Both field experiment and model showed that the green manure of ASC and compost application represent a valid option in terms of carbon sequestration increase. RothC10N model can be used successfully as a tool to compare the C sequestration potential of alternative agronomic practices.

The impact of the termination technology of agro-ecological service crops on soil properties in open field vegetable production.

The impact of the termination technology of agro-ecological service crops on soil properties in open field vegetable production.

Impacts of Agro-Ecological Practices on Soil Losses and Cash Crop Yield

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of agro-ecological practices on soil losses, by assessing experimental field topography changes and cauliflower crop yield after an artificial extreme rainfall event. Data were collected in an innovative experimental device in which different combined agronomic strategies were tested such as hydraulic arrangement, crop rotations and agro-ecological service crops (ASC) introduction. The collection of elevation data was carried out in kinematic way before rainfall, and in punctual surveys to evaluate the effects of artificial event on this parameter. Non-parametric tests were performed to evaluate differences between samples. High-resolution digital elevation models were generated from independent data using kriging, and elevation difference maps were produced. The results indicated that the data before and after the artificial rainfall were statistically different. The raised strips suffered soil loss showing that the strip with permanent intercropping was higher than that in the absence of ASC. A significant rise of elevation was registered in the furrowed strips after rainfall, and deposition of soil occurred at the lowest areas of the experimental field. Moreover, the study showed a relationship between cash crop yield and elevation: the areas with lower elevation (higher flooding) were characterized by the lowest yield.

Cover crop termination techniques affect ground predation within an organic vegetable rotation system: A test with artificial caterpillars

We studied the impact that two agro-ecological service crops or ASC, (vetch and barley), and two different ASC termination techniques (using a roller crimper or green manure) had on predation pressure in an organic vegetable system. We compared these two ASC termination techniques with a biodegradable plastic mulch, commonly used to control weeds in vegetable organic systems, over two consecutive growing seasons (2014–2015).Predation pressure was evaluated by means of artificial caterpillars made of green plasticine. Attack marks left on them were assigned to predators including chewing insects, birds and mammals. The frequencies of attack were significantly correlated with the activity density of carabids. In both experiments, carabid activity density was higher in ASC terminations than in the biodegradable plastic mulch control.Predation rate was significantly higher in the field with vetch flattened by roller crimper, while no significant difference was detected between termination techniques or in comparison with the control when barley was used as an ASC. The rate of ASC decomposition was higher in vetch than in barley and this could be the reason for the higher activity density of springtails in vetch. Carabid activity density was also positively correlated with springtail abundance.In conclusion, our field experiments showed that artificial caterpillars could represent a good standardized method to assess predation pressure in different habitats.

Agro-Ecology for Potential Adaptation of Horticultural Systems to Climate Change: Agronomic and Energetic Performance Evaluation

Adaptation can be a key factor that will shape the future severity of climate change impacts on food production. The objective of this study was to assess the suitability of an agro-ecological approach based on various techniques as potential adaptation strategy in organic horticultural systems. A long-term field experiment was set up in Southern Italy, combining: (i) appropriate soil surface shaping; (ii) cash crop rotation; (iii) agro-ecological service crops (ASC) introduction as living mulch and complementary crops; (iv) tailored organic fertilization; and (v) alternative tillage strategies. In this paper, the first two-year results on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops, as well as energy consumptions through the Energy Analysis (EA) method are reported. Due to the climatic conditions that occurred, which were characterized by the absence of extreme climatic events (particularly rainfall), it was not possible to verify if the designed experimental device was able to mitigate the impact of climate change, whereas the EA indicated that total energy inputs were lower when ASC are introduced in cropping systems.

Organic strawberry in Mediterranean greenhouse: Effect of different production systems on soil fertility and fruit quality

AbstractIn Europe, the lack of specific rules regulating organic vegetable production in protected conditions has led to the implementation of extremely diversified systems of production, at different level of intensification. In this study, we compared three strawberry organic production systems based on the following main criteria of soil fertility management: input substitution (SB), a simplified system of organic production that mimics conventional agricultural practices and two systems characterized by a more complex soil fertility management, based on the introduction, in the rotation of agroecological service crops (ASCs) and compost (AC), and of ASCs and cattle manure (AM). Strawberry yields, in the compared systems, were not significantly different in both years of our research, while, as a whole, the yield in 2013 (30.3 Mg ha−1) was significantly higher than in 2014 (28.9 Mg ha−1). Crop nitrogen (N) needs, during the entire cycle of production, were satisfied according to the same pattern by SB, AC and AM, while green manuring and organic amendments in AM and AC determined a higher soil organic N content, compared with SB. As far as the production quality is concerned, both AM and AC treatments yielded strawberry fruits similar to SB, but with better characteristics in terms of color and phenolic content. AM and AC did not differentiate statistically in the two year period of our research.