We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Soil fertility and biodiversity in organic farming.
- Authors
Mäder, Paul; Fliessbach, Andreas; Dubois, David; Gunst, Lucie; Fried, Padruot; Niggli, Urs
- Abstract
An understanding of agroecosystems is key to determining effective farming systems. Here we report results from a 21-year study of agronomic and ecological performance of biodynamic, bioorganic, and conventional farming systems in Central Europe. We found crop yields to be 20% lower in the organic systems, although input of fertilizer and energy was reduced by 34 to 53% and pesticide input by 97%. Enhanced soil fertility and higher biodiversity found in organic plots may render these systems less dependent on external inputs.
- Publication
Science (New York, N.Y.), 2002, Vol 296, Issue 5573, p1694
- ISSN
1095-9203
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1126/science.1071148