Is organic farming a realistic alternative to current conventional agriculture?
According to a landmark 21-year study recently published in the journal Science, organic farming can produce acceptable yields, save energy, maintain biodiversity and keep soils healthy. The study took place on 1.5 hectares in Switzerland using four farming methods and several different crops. Crop yields, on average, were 20 per cent lower using organic methods, but they required 56 per cent less energy per unit of yield. Organic plots also had 40 per cent greater colonization by beneficial fungi that help plants absorb nutrients, three times as many earthworms, and twice as many pest-eating spiders. Other studies have also shown similar results. A comparison study completed last year on apples, for example, found that organic crops can produce yields similar to conventional crops, and they taste better. Another paper published in the Journal of Applied Ecology last year found that using organic methods to grow tomatoes could promote biodiversity while maintaining productivity. www.da
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- Is organic farming a realistic alternative to current conventional agriculture?
