Comparison of risk in organic, integrated and conventional cropping systems in eastern Norway

The aim of this study was to compare risk of organic, integrated and conventional cropping systems. Experimental cropping system data (1991-1999) from eastern Norway were combined with farm budget data. Empirical distributions of net farm income for different cropping systems were estimated with a simulation model. The results show that the organic system had the greatest net farm income variability, but both the existing payment system and organic price premiums make it the most economically viable alternative

Effects of NPK

Series of farming practice methods have been employed to increase maize production but there is no adequate information on the effect of these methods on the nutritional and mineral content of organically grown maize. This study investigated the effects of inorganic and biochar fertilized soils on the proximate composition and mineral content of maize. Maize seeds were planted on organically fertilized soil (sawdust and gliricidia biochar), chemically fertilized soil Nitrogen Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK fertilizer), and soil without any amendment as control. The proximate compositions (protein, ash, crude fat, carbohydrate, and moisture) and mineral contents (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, and Zn) of the maize flour samples were determined using standard methods. The results showed that protein content ranged from 4.58% to 7.24% (protein), ash 0.82% to 1.09%, crude fat 3.84% to 4.61%, moisture 9.76% to 10.60%, and carbohydrate 76.85% to 80.31%. There was no significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference among the proximate compositions except for protein and carbohydrate. Maize planted on NPK fertilized soil had the highest crude protein content of 7.24%. Other results obtained included sodium (55.65 mg/100 g), magnesium (35.87 mg/100 g), and iron (6.78 mg/100 g). Maize from soil without amendments was significantly higher than maize from NPK fertilized and biochar fertilized soils. Also, maize from control plot had the highest calcium content value of 48.95 mg/100 g. We concluded that maize planted with NPK fertilizer had higher nutrient than those planted with biochar application. Also, the mineral content of maize planted in control plot was higher than those on the amended soil

A meta-analysis of maize and wheat yields in low-input vs. conventional and organic systems

Organic and low-input systems are proposed as ways to reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture. Previous studies have shown that yields of organic systems can be ∼19 to 25% lower than conventional systems. An intermediary, low-input system could be less damaging for the environment than conventional systems, while reducing yield losses in comparison with organic systems. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to compare low-input systems to conventional and organic systems. Our analysis is based on data of cropping system experiments conducted in Europe and North America, and focuses on two important crops, maize (Zea mays L.) and soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Pesticide use was greatly reduced for low-input systems as compared with conventional for the two crops (50% for maize, 70% for wheat on average). Mean mineral N use was also reduced by 36% for maize and 28% for wheat in low-input relative to conventional. Maize yields in low-input systems were not different from those in conventional systems, and were higher than yields in organic systems (yield ratio of low-input vs. organic = 1.24). Wheat yields in low-input systems were lower than yields in conventional systems (yield ratio of low-input vs. conventional = 0.88), but were substantially higher than yields in organic systems (yield ratio of low input vs. organic = 1.43). This is one of the first meta-analyses to assess performance in terms of pesticide use intensity, and yields, with clear evidence emerging that low-input systems can markedly reduce pesticide application, without strongly reducing crop yields, relative to conventional systems