Organic Farming Fields Research Articles

Evaluation of organic farming field schools in Gunung Kidul Regency, special region of Yogyakarta

Evaluation of organic farming field schools in Gunung Kidul Regency, special region of Yogyakarta

Cercozoan diversity of spring barley grown in the field is strongly plant compartment specific

Protists are an important part of the plant holobiome and influence plant growth and pathogenic pressure as consumers. Hordeum vulgare is one of the most economically important crops worldwide, and its yield depends on optimal environmental plant-growth conditions and pathogen defense. This study aimed to analyse the natural compositions of the cercozoan diversity, one of the most important and dominant protist phyla, of spring barley at different developmental stages, from different plant compartments over two years. Hordeum vulgare bulk soil samples were taken before seeding and after harvest on an organic farming field. Bulk soil, rhizosphere soil, roots and leaves were sampled at the flowering and ripening stages, and analysed with cercozoan-specific primers. Results showed a clear dominance of the families Sandonidae, Allapsidae, Cercomonadidae, Rhogostomidae and the order Glissomonadida in all sample types. Separated analyses of root, leaf and soil samples showed that members of the family Sandonidae were strongly enriched in leaf samples, while members of the Allapsidae family were enriched in the roots. No compositional differences were detected between the different plant developmental stages, except for the beta diversity of the leaf samples at the flowering and ripening stages. It can be concluded that the cercozoan diversity of spring barley is primarily affected by the plant compartment and not by the plant developmental stage. Further studies are needed to analyze the cercozoan community in greater taxonomic depth and to target their ecological function.

Comparative study of organic farming systems in different geographical regions

Among the prerequisites for agricultural production efficiency, improved farming systems that include a cost-effective organic approach to all stages of the production process play an important role. The need for a gradual transition of agricultural land use to biological methods of soil cultivation is relevant given the high level of agricultural landscape destruction and the growing demand for organic products. The purpose of the article was to provide a comparative analysis of the current state of development of organic production systems in different geographical regions of Ukraine. The study was conducted using general scientific methods of cognition, the main ones being the method of system analysis and the dialectical method. In the course of the study, the situation in the field of organic farming in the regional context, reserves, and prospects of opportunities in this area were investigated. An analysis of changes in the characteristics of the area and the number of certified organic farming entities in the time period is formed. The expediency of developing organic agronomy in modern economic conditions, as well as the possibility of ensuring the environmental safety of sustainable land use by increasing the share of organic tillage in the overall farming system, is substantiated. The priority vectors of development are highlighted, the regulatory and legal support of the industry is analysed. The specifics of the process of managing enterprises with the use of modern monitoring and investment opportunities are studied, on the basis of which the main measures to optimize the situation are developed, including economic incentives for farmers, the formation of a land bank for organic farming, control of anthropogenic pressure on the environment, compliance with safety requirements and adaptation of quality standards, as well as the preservation of local ecosystems. The practical significance of the research results is manifested in the possibility of using them in the development of sectoral programmes aimed at optimizing the functioning of organic farming systems, increasing their economic efficiency, and forming the concept of transition from conventional to organic farming in Ukraine

A sustainable rural entrepreneurship model developed by the organic farmers of India

Learning outcomes Teaching objective 1: To flourish and explore the current business model to get socioeconomic benefits from organic farming compared to conventional farming; in the context of hill farming. Teaching objective 2: To explore and design innovative entrepreneurship opportunities in the field of organic farming and how these opportunities can be seized by using managerial skills. Teaching objective 3: To analyze the economic benefits of organic farming compared to conventional farming. Case overview/synopsis Manj Gaon is a small village in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. This village serves as the Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board’s training facility. Organic farming was the primary source of income for farmers in the late 1970s, but the Green Revolution in India had a negative impact on agriculture, the environment and the economy of the country. After the Green Revolution, the agriculture sector was completely dominated by conventional farming, and the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides affected the village to some extent. But farmers like Bhagchand Ramola paved the way for other farmers to grow and shine through organic farming. The organic farming model developed by Ramola was helping farmers and society in several aspects, such as the economy, health and the environment. A self-developed organic farming model had been generating fair revenue for the farmers and uplifting their socioeconomic status as compared to conventional farming. Complete adoption of organic farming in the village requires an analysis in terms of sustainable economic growth. However, there was a certain dilemma that was stifling the growth of the newly adopted business model because farmers were dependent only on Japanese buyers and input providers. So, there was a huge need to tie up with other consulates across the country. Secondly, expanding a business model requires more input and output in terms of manpower and revenue, so persuading conventional farmers to adopt the organic farming model was quite a challenge for Ramola. Complexity academic level The case can be taught to the MBA-level students. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

Escalation Of Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica L) By Addition Of Microcapsules From IAA (Indole Acetic Acid) Producing-Endophytic Bacteria

The growth of coffee (Coffea arabica L) plants is highly dependent on the quality of the seeds and fertilization. One of the newest innovations in the field of organic farming is the use of endophytic bacteria as potential candidates to be developed become biofertilizers. Endophytic bacteria that produce IAA (Indole acetic acid) are able to produce phytohormones that can accelerate plant growth. The purpose of this researeh was to determine the effectiveness of endophytic bacterial microcapsules for the growth of Arabica coffee plants. This research was conducted using the factorial CRD (Completely Randomized Design) method consisting of 2 factors, 16 treatments, 2 replications. The first factor was immersion of endophytic bacterial suspension consisting of B0: without immersion; B1:8 hours; B2 :9 hours; B3: 10 hours. Microcapsules addition of endophytic bacteria consisting of I0 : 0 gr; I1 : 5 gr; I2 : 10 gr; I3 : 15 gr. The results from isolation was obtained four isolates of endophytic bacteria. The IAA test showed that the four isolates were able to produce IAA. Observation of plant height showed that the best treatment was treatment B1 of (16.31 cm). Observation on total of leaves, best treatment were B1 and B2 (10.57 strands). For the leaf area parameter, the best treatment was B3 of (27.36 cm2). Test results showed that application of suspension and microcapsules of endophytic bacteria significantly increased growth of coffee

Calcium- and Magnesium-Enriched Organic Fertilizer and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Affect Soil Nutrient Availability, Plant Nutrient Uptake, and Secondary Metabolite Production in Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) Grown under Field Conditions

This work investigates the effects of an organic fertilizer enriched in Ca and Mg and two bacterial inoculants, applied alone and in combination, on soil fertility, plant growth, nutrition, and production of secondary metabolites, namely, acemannan and total phenolic compounds (TPCs), by Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller), under field cultivation. The first inoculum consisted of five native bacterial strains (Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp., and three strains of Pantoea sp.), characterized in vitro as putative plant growth promoters, isolated from local organic farming fields of Aloe vera. The second inoculant was a commercial product (BACTILIS-S and HUMOFERT) and consisted of three Bacillus species: B. pumilus, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. subtilis. The organic fertilizer (HUMO-CAL M-8O) was a mixture of humic and fulvic acids, with an additional CaCO3 (40% w/w) and MgO (4% w/w). The most significant increase in the content of acemannan and TPCs was detected under single application of the organic fertilizer, which was linked to enhanced concentration of Mg and Ca in the leaf gel. The concentration of acemannan tended to be increased with the combined application of the organic fertilizer and microbial inoculants. TPCs were significantly increased in both single and combined treatments, seemingly related to Fe concentration in the leaf rinds.

Glyphosate, AMPA and glufosinate in soils and earthworms in a French arable landscape

Although Glyphosate-based herbicides are often marketed as environmentally friendly and easily biodegradable, its bioavailability and risks to wildlife raise significant concerns. Among non-target organisms, earthworms which live in close contact with the soil can be directly exposed to pesticides and harmed. We investigated soil contamination and the exposure of earthworms to glyphosate, its metabolite AMPA, and glufosinate in an arable landscape in France, both in treated (i.e. temporary grasslands and cereal fields under conventional farming), and nontreated habitats (i.e. hedgerows, permanent grasslands and cereal fields under organic farming) (n = 120 sampling sites in total). Glyphosate, AMPA and glufosinate were detected in 88%, 58% and 35% of the soil samples, and in 74%, 38% and 12% of the earthworm samples, respectively. For both glyphosate and AMPA, concentrations in soils were at least 10 times lower than predicted environmental concentrations. However, the maximum glyphosate soil concentration measured (i.e., 0.598 mg kg−1) was only 2 to 3 times lower than the concentrations revealed to affect earthworms (survival and avoidance) in the literature. These compounds were found both in conventional and organic farming fields, thus supporting a recent study, and for the first time they were detected in hedgerows and grasslands. However, glyphosate and AMPA were more frequently detected in soils from cereal fields and hedgerows than in grasslands, and median concentrations measured in soils from cereal fields were significantly higher than in the two other habitats. Bioaccumulation of glyphosate and AMPA in earthworms was higher than expected according to the properties of the molecules. Our findings raised issues about the high occurrence of glyphosate and AMPA in soils from cropped and more natural areas in arable landscapes. They also highlight the potential for transfer of these molecules in terrestrial food webs as earthworms are prey for numerous animals.

Studies on enrichment of soil fertility and comprehensive design for fertilizer application in organic farming fields

Studies on enrichment of soil fertility and comprehensive design for fertilizer application in organic farming fields

A case study of organic protected cultivation at Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India

Agripreneur is defined as an “entrepreneur whose main business is agriculture or agriculture-related”. The case study was conducted in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. A discussion was made with the engineer cum Organic farming who was successful in organic farming for five years. He was practicing vertical gardening, terrace garden, aquaponics, hydroponics and aquaculture in an organic manner under protected cultivation in his farm at Tirunelveli. The need for research was to identify the extraordinary and unique farmer who was leading success in the field of organic farming. The objective of this case study was to bring out and narrate the facts which had been adopted to run the successful model for modern agriculture. The case study approach was made by preparing a semi-structured interview schedule, followed by the field visit, for collecting the data about the profile, skills, work experience, knowledge of the Agripreneur in agriculture and its allied sectors were identified and noted down. Thus, the study had been given a solution to efficiently utilize space and water by means of adopting terrace garden, hydroponics and aquaponics. The focus of the study was to highlight the effectiveness, adaptability and cost for other small farmers.

Effect of plastic film mulching on maize productivity and nitrogen use efficiency under organic farming in South Korea

Winter cover crop cultivation and its biomass recycling as green manure (GM) were accepted as an ideal nutrient management practice in temperate organic farming fields. Since its biomass growth was boosted with air temperature rising from late Spring to early Summer, this stage overlapped with cash crops' seeding or transplanting. Thus, organic farmers were suffering from low crop productivity, due to delayed mineralization of incorporated biomass. To accelerate the mineralization of biomass nutrients and control weeds, plastic film mulching (PM) was broadly utilized in organic farming fields of temperate-monsoon climate region. However, the effect of PM on increasing nutrient use efficiency was not properly quantified in GM amended soil. To determine the effect of PM on crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency in GM amended soils, PM and no-mulching treatments were installed under different levels of GM biomass amended soils (0, 25, 50 and 100% of harvested aboveground biomass). The biomass productivity of barley and hairy vetch mixture as cover crop and biomass nitrogen productivity were dramatically increased from the mid May to the early June. PM significantly improved soil temperature and moisture regimes during maize cropping seasons, and then increased inorganic N (NH4+ and NO3−) contents in soils. These improved soil properties under PM highly increased maize productivity and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Comparing with no-mulching, as GM application level was increased, the effect of PM on increasing maize productivity became greater, but its effect on increasing NUE became smaller. In conclusion, PM could be very useful tool to improve productivity and NUE of cash crop maize in organic cropping fields, in which the harvesting time of GM biomass might be sustained to increase GM biomass productivity.

ОРГАНІЧНИЙ ПОТЕНЦІАЛ УКРАЇНИ У СИСТЕМІ ОРГАНІЧНОГО ВИРОБНИЦТВА ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКИХ КРАЇН

It is described in detail in the article the organic potential of European countries and Ukraine through the prism of specific indicators that characterize it. It is determined that the fullest organic potential of any state is revealed through a system of such indicators: land use in organic farming; number of producers of certified organic products; volumes of retail trade in organic products; volumes of exports and imports of organic products; cost of consumption of organic products per person; the largest importers of state organic products, etc. Based on the constructed complex diagram, which systematically characterizes the organic potential of European countries and, in particular, Ukraine through a set of its main indicators, it is proved that the most powerful European organic leaders in 2019 are: Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Collectively, the indicators that characterize their organic potential in 2019 reached, compared to other European countries, high leadership positions. According to statistics, it is determined that in 2019 Sweden for the first time after many years of importing organic grains became their exporter – 116 million euros. It is noted that Ukraine in the system of indicators characterizing its organic potential in 2019, among European countries is a pioneer, where the development of organic farming and organic food production is a strategic task of the state over the next few years. After all, the area of organic land in 2019 exceeded 460 thousand hectares, and the volume of exports of organic products in the same year reached the level of 272 million euros with only 470 state producers of certified organic products. It was also emphasized that in support of the development of organic potential, Ukraine is implementing international projects aimed at the development of organic production. For example, the project “German-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of organic farming”, the Swiss-Ukrainian program “Development of trade with higher added value in the organic and dairy sectors of Ukraine”, funded by the Swiss Confederation and implemented by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in partnership with SAFOSO AG, EU project “Support to the implementation of agricultural and food policy in Ukraine”.

Effect of different sources of organic manures and seed bio-priming on yield and economics of Rice bean (Vigna umbellate)

A field experiment was conducted during kharif-2019 at Research Institute of Organic Farming field unit, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru to study the Effect of different sources of organic manure and seed bio-priming on growth and yield of rice bean (Vigna umbellate) laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with 10 treatments replicated thrice and the variety used was KBR-1. Results of the experiment revealed that seed bio priming with Rhizobium and Trichoderma recorded significantly higher seed yield (1184.87 kg ha-1) and stover yield (3052.56 kg ha-1), yield attributes like number of pods per plant (59.87), pod length (8.69 cm) seed yield per plant (11.37 g) and 100% N equivalent through vermicompost resulted in significantly higher seed yield (1789.50 kg ha-1) and stover yield (3504.47 kg ha-1), yield attributes like number of pods per plant (69.67), pod length (9.92 cm), number of seeds per pod (9.17) seed yield per plant (12.83 g). Lower seed yield (237.3 kg ha-1) and stover yield (1985.2 kg ha-1) recorded T1 (without seed bio-priming). Whereas, higher B:C ratio (2.96) was recorded with 100% N equivalent through neemcake + seed bio-priming.

Microbial basis of organic farming systems with special reference to biodynamic preparations

Organic agriculture systems aim primarily at use of naturally occurring ecological processes rather than external inputs, to manage crops and livestock. These farming systems emphasize on ecofriendly methods of insect, pest and weed control. Biodiversity is the key component of organic agrisystems responsible for its efficacy. According to IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) organic production methods are those where at least 95% of the ingredients used for agriculture purposes are organic in nature. Latter content less than 70% may not refer to organic production methods. Organic farming systems work on nature’s principles; improve agro ecosystem health including soil biological activity and product quality. The most followed organic farming systems are Permaculture, Panchagavya farming, Rishi Krishi, Natueco farming, Zero budget natural farming, Biodynamic farming etc. Enormous literature and supportive materials are available to justify the use of these farming systems to combat soil pollution created by use of various chemicals. However, when it comes to scientific explanation, the work is scattered. A common person may develop the assumption that these systems might possess some supernatural or magical curing ability. However, these preparations work on scientific principles mostly powered by microbes and their metabolic products. In the present review, research on various organic preparations, with special reference to their microbial properties, has been compiled and analysed. The review will be of immense benefit to students, researchers and strategy planners working in the field of organic farming.

Small business networks in the field of organic farming: strategies and management tools

Abstract: Business cooperation networks are based on specific parameters: common goal, competitive earnings, interaction among partners and management. Networks of farmers focused on organic production are growing due to the increasing demand. The objective of this research is to propose a framework of organizational strategies and management and governance tools for networks of small businesses operating in the field of organic farming. The methodology adopts a qualitative approach and it is comprised by a conceptual and theoretical review as well as two case studies. The proposed framework shows organizational strategies and management tools- that are crucial for the networks to thrive. Management instruments include, strategic, integration, contractual and decision-making instruments. Global strategies correspond to strategies regarding competitiveness, strategies regarding the product/market and strategies regarding the use of means. The value chain activities comprise the functional strategies. Results revealed significant particularities and common aspects of the organizational strategies and management tools.

Philosophy of organic agriculture: background, history and modern concept

The purpose of the work is to reveal the concept of organic agriculture in a temporary aspect. Methodology and objects of the research are a comparative analysis of literary sources: the works of foreign and domestic scientists in the field of organic farming, foreign legislative acts, statistical data of FiBL and IFOAM. The result is the discovering of that the prerequisites for the emergence of organic production is the “green revolution”. Intensive farming led to the appearance of the opposite – organic movement. The authors considered the ideas of R. Steiner, A.T. Bolotov, V.I. Vernadsky, H. Muller, O. Mokiti, 4th Baron Northbourne, E. Balfour, A. Howard, R.L. Carson and M. Fukuoka. They laid foundation for the modern concept of organic farming. It includes four principles: health, ecology, justice, care. Authors of this article give a brief description of the state of organic agriculture in Russia and worldwide.

Agroecosystem Degradation Evaluation of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) Farm Using Some Biotic Indices in Batu, East Java, Indonesia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degradation of broccoli agroecosystem in Batu caused by a longterm of intensive farming and of synthetic chemical exposure using some biotic indices. Evaluation covered on quality of habitat, biodiversity, and environmental services in three organic and intensive farm, each Batu, Bumiaji, and Junrejo Regencies, using five repetitions in each location. Habitat quality was evaluated by measuring the soil organic matter, water irrigation and soil suspension pH, electric conductivity, and water turbidity in situ . Biodiversity quality was evaluated by determining the score of Importance Value Index (IVI), Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H’) and Margalef’s Richness Index (R) soil fauna using handsorting within the area of l m 2 , as well as refugial vegetation. Environmental service quality was evaluated by scoring using the Ecosystem Integrated Assessment (EIA). The data were analyzed statistically using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The result showed that soil organic matter and pH were obviously higher, while the irrigation water was less turbid in organic farming rather than the intensive one. Furthermore, the H’ and R indices proved that biodiversity quality in organic farming field was higher (H’ score 1.4-1.9 and R 3.5-4.0) comparing to those of intensive farming (H’ score 0.6-0.9 and R 1.2-1.6). Whereas, the ecosystem service based on EIA index revealed that the organic agroecosystem showed a fair to good quality with the score 3.0-4.3. It was higher than those of intensive farming which was classified as poor to fair with the score 1.7-2.8. Therefore, the organic broccoli agroecosystem in Batu provided a better habitat for biodiversity conservation and greater the environmental service as a sustainable farming system. Key words : Agroecosystem, Biodiversity, Ecological services, Intensive, Organic

TOOLS OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT SUPPORT OF THE DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS PRODUCTION AND OF ENHANCEMENT OF THEIR QUALITY

The article emphasizes that the strategic goals of organic livestock breeding development should be as follows: the support of small and medium enterprises in the field of organic farming, stimulation of the organic products market development, the formation of a full cycle of organic products processing, and ensuring the growth of the organic products exports. The tools of the direct state support should balance specific types of organic livestock products depending on their rate of profit or profitability. To increase the availability of organic products to the average consumer and to restrain the society’s social stratification, it is justified to reduce the rate of VAT from 20 to 7% for the main types of organic livestock products. There has been proposed a number of measures to stimulate domestic demand for high-quality livestock products and foodstuffs of animal origin.

The Importance of Factors Affecting the Entry of Entrepreneurial Subjects to Organic Farming in the Czech Republic

The aim of the article is to identify the key factors influencing the entry of entrepreneurial subjects into the sphere of organic farming in the Czech Republic. Primary data for the research was obtained from a questionnaire survey carried out in 2016 through an internal communication system of the PRO BIO Association, comprising 481 operators in the field of organic farming in the Czech Republic. The research questions mainly concerned the reason for entering the sphere of organic farming, and what influenced this decision, the motivation of entrepreneurs to stay in organic farming and what could possibly be the reason for their departure from this sector of business. Another part of the research questions related to the knowledge about organic farming in the establishment of their business. a combination of factors that are important in deciding on entry into the industry and subsequent stay was found.

Study of factors affecting on the tendency to greenhouse organic cucumber producers in Yazd province

Increase in greenhouse production in Yazd province has resulted increase in consuming of fertilizer and pesticide use therfor, so it is necessary to reduce using of chemical materials in greenhouse production and increase of organic products. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing process of transition to organic agriculture in greenhouse cucumber producers in Yazd province. This study was a descriptive-survey research. Data collection tools were questionnaires and face to face interviews with 144 producers of greenhouse cucumber in the province. Data analysis was done using descriptive analysis, T-test and logit econometric model. Among 144 greenhouse cucumber producers, 59 people have a positive trend to become organic farmers and 85 people showed no interest. Results showed that the low knowledge of producers in the field of organic farming, lack of sufficient support of organic farming by government, high-risk of organic farming, the lack of specific market and are the major obstacles on the way of the production of organic products. Logit model results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between the level of production experience, age, education, sanitary positive attitude towards environment and desire to have organic farming. There is a significant negative correlation between using of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and desire to have organic farming. Due to lack of knowledge in the field of technical, management and sales of organic products, government support and control of the production in this area is essential.

Organisational learning for innovation in agriculture: 25 years of experience from organic agriculture in Spain

In order to remain competitive and stay in the market in the near future, farmers will be compelled to adopt a portfolio ofstrategies that include a series of innovative proposals, with the active participation and commitment of everyone involved.To achieve this, enterprises must bet on knowledge and learning as main element to integrate experienced knowledge (fromfarmers) with expert knowledge (technical-scientific). Integrating these two kinds of knowledge through research will changeparadigms and contribute to rural modernization and to rethinking collective proposals that generate governance, prosperityand resilience. This work analyzes the processes and strategies related to knowledge management and organizational learningin the field of organic farming in an agricultural cooperative in the area of Murcia, Spain. It is a successful model oforganizational learning, as 25 years of experience are managed in order to adequately influence the organizational level,generating prosperity and sustainable development. Keywords: Organisational learning; Spain; organic agriculture.