Possibilities and limits of reduced primary tillage in organic farming

In two organically cultivated field trials, located in Germany and Greece, effects of reduced primary tillage systems on root and shoot growth of cereals were investigated. The field trial in Rommersheim near Mainz, Germany, was established in 1994 by the foundation „Stiftung Ökologie und Landbau“. The Agricultural University of Athens established in 1995 a similar experiment in a field trial carried out by The Laboratory of Crop Science, located in Athens, Greece

Sproß - und Wurzelentwicklung von Getreide bei reduzierter Grundbodenbearbeitung im Ökologischen Landbau

In a field trial established in 1994 by the foundation „Stiftung Ökologie und Landbau“, different primary tillage systems are being tested on their influence on root and shootgrowth of cereals. The tillage implements are : mouldboard plough, two layer plough and layer cultivator. Investigations oriented on soil physical parameters ( e.g. aggregate stability ), root parameters ( e.g. root-length-density ), shoot growth ( e.g. dry matter, yields) and laboratory analysis ( e.g., P, K Ct/Nt contents ). These parameters were also tested for the weeds, that can strongly compete with the crops, especially in reduced tillage systems. The results of the investigations combined with knowledge obtained from previous work and literature are being interpreted in order to assess the possibilities and limits of the reduced primary tillage intensity under given field conditions

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY FOR ORGANIC FARMING IN GREECE

AEGILOPS Network Ecology and Biodiversity in Agriculture was established in 2004. Our purpose is to conserve heritage varieties and traditional agricultural knowledge and to restore landrace varieties into contemporary agricultural practice in ways that benefit the traditional farmers. The goals of AEGILOPS are: a. to develop plant varieties adapted to local organic production which utilize the benefits of locally adapted genetic resources for ecological agriculture, and b. to strengthen the role of the farmers in the conservation of genetic resources as well as to protect their rights in taking part in the management and benefits of agrobiodiversity

Einfluß von drei Bodenbearbeitungssystemen auf pflanzliche Parameter von Braugerste im Ökologischen Landbau

Der Ökologische Landbau wird häufig mit dem zurückhaltenden Einsatz des Wendepfluges in Verbindung gebracht. Erhebungen zeigen, daß der Streich-blechpflug in mehr als 90 % aller Grundbodenbearbeitungsmaßnahmen in der Praxis eingesetzt wird. In der Mehrzahl der Fälle wird bis zu 30 cm Bodentiefe gepflügt. Ziel unseres Forschungsvorhabens ist es, den Einfluß reduzierter Grundboden-bearbeitung auf die Ertragsbildung von Braugerste einschließlich ihrer Begleitflora unter den Bedingungen des Ökologischen Landbau zu untersuchen

Einfluß von drei Bodenbearbeitungssystemen auf bodenphysikalische Eigenschaften und Wurzelwachstum von Wintergerste auf einem Ackerstandort in Athen, Griechenland

Optimierte bodenphysikalische Eigenschaften sind Grundlage der Entwicklung vitaler Getreidebestände und hoher Kornerträge. Wurzelwachstum und Wurzelaktivität stehen in engem Zusammenhang mit Bodendichte, Porenverteilung, Eindringwiderstand und dem gewogenen mittleren Aggregatdurchmesser. Konventionelle Grundbodenbearbeitung mit dem Wendepflug führt häufig zu ungünstigerem Bodengefüge, im Zusammenhang mit hohen Auflasten, zu Pflugsohlen. Ziel des Projektes war es, den Einfluß verschiedener Bodenbearbeitungssysteme auf bodenphysikalische Eigenschaften und das Wurzelwachstum von Wintergerste unter den klimatischen Bedingungen des Mittelmeerraums zu untersuchen

Prelimenary results on a comparative study evaluating landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in organic agriculture in a protected area (Northern Greece)

Organic farming requires cultivars or landraces that are specifically adapted to this low input cropping system. Six landraces of Greek common dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and one from the neighbouring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) were evaluated for different agronomic and physicochemical characteristics under organic conditions in the National Park of the lake Prespes, on the borders of Greece, FYROM and Albania. Significant differences among landraces were found in yield characteristics such as yield plant-1, pod plant-1 and seeds pod-1 with two of the landraces performing the best. The cooking time was estimated by measuring seed hardness using a penetrometer. There was a considerable variation between the landraces tested with cooking times between 25-45 minutes. Some of the landraces could be a useful resource for the development of organic farming systems in this protected area

Shoot and root growth of cereals under reduced tillage in Organic Farming in field trials in Germany and Greece

In two organically cultivated field trials, located in Germany and Greece, effects of reduced primary tillage systems on root and shoot growth of cereals were investigated. The field trial in Rommersheim near Mainz, Germany, was established in 1994. A similar experiment was established in 1995 located in Athens, Greece. Mouldboard plough, two-layer plough and layer cultivator were used in Germany. Mouldboard plough, rotary hoe and zero tillage were applied in Greece. The field experiment in Germany was performed on a clay loam soil with a 5-year crop rotation (green fallow, winter wheat/catch crop, peas, winter rye/catch crop, spring barley) in a split-plot design. The investigated crop was spring barley and winter rye. Tillage systems were implemented after cereal harvests only. The field experiment in Greece was performed on a clay loam soil with a 3-year crop rotation (cereal, green manure, cotton) and a split-plot design. The test crop was winter wheat. The parameters measured in both field trials were soil physical and chemical parameters, as well as root and shoot parameters of the cereals. In Germany higher tillage intensity implemented on spring barley on one hand reduced aggregate stability and decreased the penetration resistant, especially in lower depths. On the other hand, it increased rooting density, nutrient uptake and crop development. Dry matter production of weeds was significantly lower in the ploughed fields compared with those treated with the cultivator. Correspondingly, higher grain yields were positively correlated with tillage intensity. Positive effects of the cultivator on soil properties (e.g. significant higher aggregate stability compared to ploughing) became less significant. The two-layer plough used in Germany combines the effects of turning and mixing the soil in the upper plough depth, while loosening the soil in the deeper plough layer, resulting in a good soil structure. The differences between the tillage systems in the parameters measured became less when they were releated to the winter rye. This fact was due to the lack of tillage before the seeding of the crop. In the experiment field of Athens, under minimum and zero tillage, it was found that root and shoot parameters were significantly higher than those of ploughed plots. Physical and chemical soil properties were also improved compared to those of ploughed soil. Yields were found to be significantly correlated to the root parameters and the soil properties, and this was confirmed by the significant yield increase observed under minimum tillage. Concluding the results show that under conditions of temperate humid climate sufficient control of weed and optimized nutrient management in organic farming can only be ensured by turning and mixing the soil. Thus, a general renunciation of ploughing cannot be suggested. Under conditions of primary tillage becomes more important for the main soil properties and more Mediterranean climate and limited soil water availability, reduced profitable in the long term

Einfluß der Grundbodenbearbeitung auf bodenphysikalische Eigenschaften und Wurzelwachstum von Sommergerste im Ökologischen Landbau

Die Möglichkeiten der Nutzung reduzierter Bearbeitungsintensität im Ökologischen Landbau werden kontrovers diskutiert. In den Jahren 1999 und 2000 wurde deshalb der Einfluß von drei Verfahren der Grundbodenbearbeitung auf verschiedene Bodenparameter bei Sommergerste untersucht

Agricultural biodiversity: Meaning and role for the producer

This training manual is addressed to students and farmers, both organic and conventional, interested in including agricultural biodiversity in their farms. The manual presents elements of functional agrobiodiversity and cultivated agrobiodiversity with a particular focus on the benefits for organic farming. Further, the role of insects, earthworms and microbes is explained in the manual. Farming practices to enhance agrobiodiversity are described to the farmers

Greening urban gardens with local vegetable varieties (Liveseed Practice Abstract)

- Community seed banks, community gardens and school gardens in urban areas should be created. - Farmers and gardeners can be trained to join participatory organic breeding to select the best varieties and produce seed. - Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) schemes and cooperatives between producers and consumers should promote the use of local varieties and seeds. - Open culinary events and seminars on nutritional and cultural values of local varieties can be organized. - A creation of a niche market for those varieties and the engagement of food chain stakeholders is needed