A Comparison of Soil Properties Under Organic and Conventional Farming in Australia

G. Nachimuthu, P. Kristiansen, P. Lockwood and C. Guppy

Abstract
Organic farming is an alternative to conventional farming for providing sustainable crops with high export demand. This review analyses research findings on organic farming in Australia, with an emphasis on soil health.

Several reports have indicated that organic farm management generally improves soil physical properties in Australia and elsewhere. Although low nitrogen (N) availability can constrain yields, organic farmers can improve N supply through legume green manures. Plant available phosphorus (P) is a more serious limiting factor in organic farming, particularly in Australia with naturally low P levels.

Phosphorus is less easily replaced in the soil than N, and there is a need for alternate sources of organic-certified P and methods to enhance P availability from existing inputs such as rock phosphate.

The role of micro-organisms in improving soil health nutrient availability is discussed, as well as the use of P accumulator crops such as Acacia and Tithonia, which could be incorporated as border crops or green leaf manure.


Source
Köpke et al (Eds) (2005): Researching Sustainable Systems. Proceedings of the First Scientific Conference of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR). ISOFAR / IOL / FiBL, Bonn and Frick; ISBN 3-906081-76-1


Author Locations and Affiliations
Agronomy and Soil Science, University of New England, NSW 2351, Australia, Tel: +61-2-6773 2003 /2962 / 2849 / 3567, E-mails: gnachim3@une.edu.au / paul.kristiansen@une.edu.au / plockwoo@une.edu.au /cguppy@une.edu.au, Website: http://www.une.edu.au/agronomy


Paper copy and PDF version may be ordered from FiBL(see FiBL shop at https://www.fibl.org/shop/index.php); FiBL order number 1394. A PDF version is available free of charge for ISOFAR members via the member area of www.isofar.org


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