Nature Farming Practices for Apple Production in Japan

Summary

Apples were grown in a study using nature farming practices, including organic fertilizer to supply nutrients, microbial inocu-lants for biocontrol of pest insects, and low- or non-pesticides measures. When low- or non-pesticide measures were adopted, the numbers of pest insects increased accordingly; however, the populations of beneficial organisms and natural predators of pest insects also increased. Even though the reduction in pesticide use caused some fruit damage, the enhanced biocontrol of pest insects by increased numbers of natural predator insects more than compensated for the damage. Thus, low- or non-pesticide nature farming practices were cost-effective because they increased biocontrol of pest insects and decreased the amount of pesticide needed and the cost of application.     

Effects of Organic Farming Practices on Photosynthesis,Transpiration and Water Relations,and Their Contributions to Fruit Yield and the Incidence of Leaf-Scorch in Pear Trees

Summary

This study involved a comparison of two pear (Pyrus communis L. cv. Nijuseki) orchards in the South Nagano area that were managed according to either chemical farming (CF) or organic farming (OF) practices. Leaf-scorch was not observed in the pear orchard under OF but was severe under CF. Fruit yield was 62% higher for the pear orchard farmed organically. Photosynthetic capacity (P _C) was 33% higher under OF. Leaf symplastic water fraction (z _sym) and osmotic concentration (C _FT) were higher for pear trees under OF than for those under CF. Both stomatal (a) and cuticular (b) transpiration were faster for excised pear leaves under CF and, as a consequence, the leaf water retention ability (WRA) of leaves under CF was lower than for those under OF. Results suggest that the higher yield of pear trees with organic farming management, compared with chemical farming, is attributed to high P _C and that the absence of leaf-scorch is attributed to a high water retention ability that is associated with a high symplastic cell water fraction and high tissue osmotic concentration.     

The Importance of Biodiversity in Agroecosystems

SUMMARY

This article identifies the important functions and benefits of biodiversity in agriculture, for sustainable crop production and food security. After clarifying impacts from the decline of biodiversity in agriculture, the article summarizes principles, practices and policies for biodiversity conservation and enhancement in farming systems and in landscapes. Some of the strategies identified build upon valuable local experiences and knowledge in traditional farming practices, while others take advantage of recent scientific findings in agroecology and ecosystem health. The analysis suggests the value of adopting an agroeco-systems approach, beyond a focus on genetic resource conservation alone-to implement other biodiversity-enhancing methods in farms, such as integrated ecological pest and soil management. Attention is also given to the challenges by conflicting agricultural policies that contribute to the decline of biodiversity in farming systems, and potential of reforming such policies. The practices and approaches reviewed in this analysis show effective ways to link biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.     

Nitrogen Efficiency in Mixed Farming Systems

SUMMARY

The problem of nitrogen surpluses in Northwestern Europe is related in part to recent segregation of animal and crop production. A long-term solution can be found by re-integration of the main agricultural production components into mixed farming systems. In a new classification scheme of farming systems, high-input systems are placed in a sequence of modes in agriculture that each address sus-tainability problems in different ways. In this classification scheme, New-Conservation Agriculture (NCA) is considered to be a new mode of farming that aims to replace losses from the system, whilst not overloading it through critical use of non-renewable resources. Mixed farming systems that integrate crops and livestock are a typical example of NCA. The advantageous environmental features of mixed farming systems are illustrated by the favorable nitrogen balance of two experimental prototypes (a conventional and an organic one) where arable, dairy and sheep farming are integrated to a high degree. However, particularly the plowing of grass/clover swards caused serious problems on both farms regarding seedling survival and product quality in sugarbeet, maize, onion, and potato crops. This was due to the occurrence of large pest populations of leatherjackets (Tipula paludosa) and wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae).     

Effects of a Microbial Inoculant and Organic Fertilizers on the Growth,Photosynthesis and Yield of Sweet Corn

Summary

A microbial inoculant known as Effective Microorganisms or EM is a mixed culture of naturally-occurring, beneficial microorganisms (predominantly lactic acid bacteria, yeast, actinomycetes, photosynthetic bacteria and certain fungi) that has been used with considerable success to improve soil quality and the growth and yield of crops, particularly in nature farming and organic farming systems. Despite this success, the exact mechanisms of how this EM elicits such beneficial effects is largely unknown. Consequently, a study was conducted to determine the effects of EM and organic fertilizer on the growth, photosynthesis, and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) under glasshouse conditions, compared with chemical fertilizer. An organic fertilizer consisting of a mixture of oilseed mill sludge, rice husk and bran, and fish processing waste, was inoculated and fermented with EM as the microbial inoculant. The organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer were then applied to respective pots to compare the growth, yield and physiological response of sweet corn plants. EM applied with the organic fertilizer was shown to promote root growth and activity, and to enhance photosynthetic efficiency and capacity, which resulted in increased grain yield. This was attributed largely to a higher level of nutrient availability facilitated by EM application over time. Interestingly, during the early stage of the experiment, the growth and dry matter yield of plants that received organic fertilizer were actually lower than those treated with chemical fertilizer that provided higher initial levels of macronutrients. However, during the intermediate and late growth stages, EM increased the nutrient availability of the organic fertilizer to a higher level, than the chemical fertilizer. Consequently, even though there was an early lower growth rate for plants that received EM-fermented organic fertilizer compared with chemical fertilizer, the final biomass and grain yield from organic fertilizer was equal to or higher than from chemical fertilizer.     

柱花草林地间作技术及综合利用研究

阐述国内间作柱花草主要品种的特征特性、林地间作栽培技术与利用方法及林草畜配套立体种养结合的农业生产模式,分析当前林草畜有机体种养模式的综合效益及发展中存在的问题,对未来林草畜有机生态农业的发展提出了建议。     

Effect of Organic Fertilizer and Effective Microorganisms on Growth,Yield and Quality of Paddy-Rice Varieties

Summary

The effect of an organic fertilizer inoculated with Effective Microorganisms (EM) on the growth, yield and quality of 13 paddy-rice varieties varying with maturation period was studied. EM inoculation increased kernel enlargement after the panicle formation stage and also increased ear number and length and kernel number. The yield of brown rice from EM inoculation was higher for the standard fertilizer rate and lower for the higher rate of organic fertilizer. EM inoculation increased the glutinousness and the total quality index of glutinous rice varieties. Under 1993 weather conditions, early and medium-ripening non-glutinous varieties and glutinous varieties were suitable for nature farming with EM-inoculated organic fertilizer.     

Nature Farming with Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Bangladesh

Summary

Systematic research on the effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with different agricultural crops, sand dune plants and plantation crops has been carried out in Bangladesh for last few years. Large numbers of VA-mycorrhizal fungi have been detected in different soil types for identification and inoculum production and for use in nurseries and the field as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides and to progress towards nature farming. The VAM fungi not only absorb and translocate immobile nutrients like phosphorus, zinc and copper (especially phosphorus) through external hyphae, but also play important roles in inter- and intra-specific transfer of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen from plant to plant. VAM fungi may also protect plants from certain root-infecting pathogens, improve plant-water relations, enhance the establishment and growth of micro-propagated plants, and increase plant tolerance to salinity. VAM fungi can improve the ecological and environmental conditions of the country and its agriculture by reducing the farmer's dependence and expenditure on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Effective mycorrhizal inoculum can be introduced directly to the field or indirectly through the production of VAM-infected seedlings from nurseries. The gap of knowledge on the occurrence of VAM fungi in association with different agricultural and forest crops is still immense in Bangladesh. This article has been prepared to draw attention of agricultural scientists, plant physiologist, forest managers, policy-makers and different government and non-government officials towards nature farming systems utilizing VAM and possibility of utilizing VAM in production system.     

Water quality and limnology of Korean reservoirs

Reservoirs are the predominant type of lentic ecosystem in Korea, and they account for a considerable proportion (~59%) of the agricultural water uses. There are 18,797 reservoirs in Korea; most (~90%) are small (storage capacity <1,000,000 m³), and most provide irrigation water for paddy farming. Characteristics of Korean agricultural reservoirs are high watershed-reservoir area ratios, shallow depth, unstable hydrodynamics, and eutrophic conditions. Many agricultural reservoirs are relatively old; 54% of all reservoirs were constructed more than 50 years ago. As a result, they have a considerable amount of organic matter accumulation on the sediment, which may contribute to the internal loading of nutrients. Deterioration of water quality and ecosystem health, resulting from cultural eutrophication and harmful algal blooms, are common problems in most Korean agricultural reservoirs. Environmental considerations about reservoirs, especially their ecological functions, have largely been ignored in past management plans. Limnology, the multidisciplinary study of lakes and reservoirs, can provide conceptual models of reservoirs and fundamental information needed to determine causes and potential solutions for environmental stresses. Problems prevailing in Korean reservoirs, such as cultural eutrophication and harmful algal blooms, are complicated ecosystem-level phenomena with many factors interacting with each other. Thus, limnological understanding is a prerequisite to identifying sound solutions and to making wise judgments about reservoir management and restoration. Cooperation with other related disciplines is necessary to establish the proper management plans and applications. Also, international cooperation is suggested to solve environmental problems in agricultural reservoirs, particularly among the countries with similar agricultural practices, climate, geology, and water uses. Electronic Publication     

有机棉发展现状及经济性分析

有机棉是指在农业生产中，以有机肥、生物防治病虫害、自然耕作管理为主，不使用化学制品，从种子到农产品全天然无污染生产的棉花。本文论述了有机棉的发展现状，探讨了有机棉生产的经济性。文中指出发展有机棉对保护生态环境、促进人类健康发展．以及满足人们对绿色环保生态服装的消费需求具有重要意义。     

Production and Application of Organic Materials as Fertilizers

Summary

The rapid social and economic changes in recent years have enhanced the development and availability of a large number of industrial and agricultural products. Such activities, in turn, have greatly increased the amounts and volumes of organic wastes and residues. It is important for Chinese scientists to know the types and amounts of waste materials produced each year and, if suitable for land application, utilize them as soil conditioners and fertilizers. Such information with respect to China is reviewed and discussed in this paper.     

Long-Term Changes in the Soil Properties and the Soil Macrofauna and Mesofauna of an Agricultural Field in Northern Japan During Transition from Chemical-Intensive Farming to Nature Farming

Summary

This paper reports the changes in soil chemical and physical properties, and in the populations and diversity of the soil macrofauna and mesofauna that occurred during the 10 years (1976-1986) following the initiation of nature farming practices on this once chemically-managed field in Northern Japan.     

Expanding the Context of Weed Management

Abstract

Concerns about current weed control practices have increased the consideration of new weed management strategies. In recent times, weed control practices for major crops have been influenced greatly by the availability of selective herbicides. Herbicides are critical tools, but weed science must integrate more components to create weed management systems. Changes in weed management can be attained within the framework of existing cropping systems. However, for the longer term, new methods and approaches to weed management are needed. Weed scientists need to play a central role in the development of new cropping systems to make weed management an integral component of the system. This volume contains a series of review articles and original research that presents innovative approaches to weeds and weed management. It is our hope that these papers will stimulate discussion on a broader view of weeds and weed management.     

Properties and Applications of an Organic Fertilizer Inoculated with Effective Microorganisms

Summary

Research studies were conducted to elucidate the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of an organic fertilizer that was inoculated and fermented with a microbial inoculant (Effective Microorganisms or EM). The quality estimation methods employed addressed the mechanistic basis for beneficial effects of soil improvement and crop yield. Effective Microorganisms or EM was utilized as the microbial inoculant that is a mixed culture of beneficial microorganisms. Tests showed that the fermented organic fertilizer contained large populations of propagated Lactobacillus spp. Actinomycetes, photo-synthetic bacteria and yeasts; high concentrations of intermediate compounds such as organic acids and amino acids; 0.1% of mineral nitrogen mainly in the ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) form, and 1.0% of available phosphorus; and a C:N ratio of 10. The quality of the fermented organic fertilizer depends on the initial water content; addition of molasses as a carbon and energy source; and the microbial inoculant. The medium pH appears to be reliable fermentation quality criterion for producing this organic fertilizer. Beneficial effects of the fermented organic fertilizer on soil fertility and crop growth will likely depend upon the organic fraction, direct effects of the introduced microorganisms, and indirect effects of microbially-synthesized metabolites (e.g., phytohormones and growth regulators).     

Nutrient Dynamics

Summary

Environmental concerns currently trigger the development of more sustainable soil fertility management strategies. It appears that effective sustainable practices are those that enhance natural soil processes. Soil processes include the decomposition of residues and mineralization of organic matter, nitrogen fixation, nitrification, nitrate leaching, denitrification and sulfur reduction. Natural soil processes also include less well-understood interactions, namely, those leading to the dissolution of minerals by organic acids, as well as rhizospheric and mycorrhizospheric interactions. Plants, associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts, supply and distribute carbon and energy, sustaining most of the biotic mechanisms responsible for nutrient release from soil, and maintaining organic pools of nutrients. Among these pools, the microbial biomass and fine roots pools, with their very fast turnover time, are particularly important as they can maintain large amounts of nutrients in very labile form and, therefore, increase soil fertility. Agricultural soil systems are very dynamic and are characterized by large spatial and temporal variations, which are largely driven by plant development. In addition, nutrient dynamics in agricultural soil systems seem particularly influenced by temperature, moisture, and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization. Nitrogen losses from soil are reduced in systems where nitrogen release corresponds to plant demand. Biological nitrogen fixation is a sound way to input nitrogen in cropping systems. Phosphorus losses can be reduced through increased reliance on the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis of crops. Soils are diverse and complex systems, which, furthermore, respond to increasingly unpredictable climatic variations. Optimal agricultural soil management is a moving target and, hence, a challenging goal that will never be totally reached.     

Agroforestry for Sustainability of Lower-Input Land-Use Systems

Abstract

Agriculture and forestry are too often treated separately, yet these two sectors are often interwoven on the landscape and share many common goals. The age-old practice of growing crops and trees together was ignored or bypassed in the single-commodity paradigm of agricultural and forestry development. Thanks to 25 years of efforts, agroforestry the integration of multipurpose trees into farming systems-has now become a robust, science-based, integrated discipline. Agroforestry offers a unique set of opportunities for alleviating poverty and arresting land degradation, and providing ecosystem services in both low-income and industrialized nations. Improvement and exploitation of the large number of fruit trees and medicinal plants is but one of several promising opportunities for enhancing the food and nutritional security without causing the environmental hazards that are characteristic of input-intensive land-use systems. These agroforestry practices are particularly suitable for resource-limited conditions and lower-input situations, which cover an estimated 1.9 billion hectares of land and 800 million people in developing countries.     

Relationship between F4 Individuals and F5 Lines in Cooking Quality of Rice

Abstract

The response of microarthropod populations to different combinations of conservations! agricultural practices was investigated in two field experiments. In the first experiment, cropping systems with combinations of tillage (conventional or reduced), biocide application (conventional or reduced), and fertilization (chemical or cattle manure compost) were compared. In the second experiment, five treatments including four fallow managements that received different levels of tillage, biocide, and organic matter input from vegetation were compared. The springtail (Collembola) population was higher with less tillage, less biocide application, and more organic matter input in both experiments, and these effects were additive; there was no specific combination of practices that has an interacting effect. The mite (Acari) population was also higher under most conservations! treatments, and a significant interaction effect between tillage and organic matter application was found. A large increase in the Acari population under the combination of reduced tillage and higher organic matter input suggested that beneficial effects of these practices on the Acari community could be increased by integrating these practices. There was no significant correlation between the microarthropod populations and plant cover or soil chemical/physical properties measured. Slight changes in soil environments caused by agricultural practices may affect microarthropod communities substantially even before the changes in soil properties become detectable.     

Effects of Organic Fertilizers and a Microbial Inoculant on Leaf Photosynthesis and Fruit Yield and Quality of Tomato Plants

Summary

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of applications of an organic fertilizer (bokashi), and chicken manure as well as inoculation of a microbial inoculant (commercial name, EM) to bokashi and chicken manure on photosynthesis and fruit yield and quality of tomato plants. EM inoculation to both bokashi and chicken manure increased photosynthesis, fruit yield of tomato plants. Concentrations of sugars and organic acids were higher in fruit of plants fertilized with bokashi than in fruit of other treatments. Vitamin C concentration was higher in fruit from chicken manure and bokashi plots than in those from chemical fertilizer plots. EM inoculation increased vitamin C concentration in fruit from all fertilization treatments. It is concluded that both fruit quality and yield could be significantly increased by EM inoculation to the organic fertilizers and application directly to the soil.     

Evaluating Soil Organic Matter Changes Induced by Reclamation

Summary

Evaluating soil conservation and plant production on reclaimed lands requires an understanding of the rate of change in soil organic matter (SOM) under specific land use systems and management practices. By using a geographic information system (GIS), changes in the SOM status were assessed and mapped at an experimental station in subtropical China after eleven years of reclamation. Maps of soil survey, land use and topographic information of the experimental station were entered into the computer after digitalization, and a land unit map was produced by overlaying these maps. The SOM levels in different time periods were entered and combined with their corresponding land units in the land unit map, and their differences (?SOM) in time for each land unit were calculated. SOM changes at the experimental station were then assessed and mapped based on the ?SOM values. The changing status in various land use systems, soil types and relief patterns could be shown in the computer. SOM changes varied with land use systems and the original SOM levels. After 11 years of reclamation, the soils with SOM levels of > 30 and < 10 g Kg^?1 decreased 95.3% and 30.9% in area, respectively, while those with SOM levels of 20-30 and 10-20 g Kg^?1 increased 44.3% and 8.4%, respectively. The SOM content in paddy fields, vegetable fields, pastures, and grasslands increased due to reclamation practices, but decreased in fuel woods, sparse weed land, and bare land.     

Socioeconomic and Agricultural Factors Associated with Mixed Cropping Systems in Small Farms of Southwestern Guatemala

SUMMARY

Many small farming communities in Latin America have modified their traditional cropping systems to incorporate non-traditional export crops (NTEC). The shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture is perceived by development agencies as an opportunity to alleviate poverty in rural areas. However, most small-scale farmers are not familiar with the production problems of NTEC, such as Bemisia tabaci and various geminiviruses transmitted by this whitefly species. In the absence of adequate technical assistance, due to drastic budgetary reductions in national agricultural research programs, farmers have relied on agrochemicals to protect their NTEC. This situation has led to considerable pesticide abuse and rejection of contaminated produce in international markets. This study analyzes some of the factors determining the adoption of NTEC and displacement of traditional food crops in southwestern Guatemala, and suggests possible measures to allow small farming communities to benefit from broad-based cropping systems that include both traditional and non-traditional food and cash crops.