A Review: Organic Crop Production – Ambitions and Limitations

ISBN: 978-1-4020-9315-9

In 2008 Dr H Kirchmann and Dr L Bergstrom edited this book, Organic Crop Production Ambitions and Limitations. The topic of organic crop production was discussed at a Symposium at the World Congress of Soil Science in Philadelphia in 2006.

At this symposium some of the benefits and issues pertaining to organic farming were presented. And from that symposium some of the key findings are presented in this book, along with other central aspects of organic crop production.

Chapter one looks at the widespread opinions about organic agriculture and asks are they supported by scientific evidence. It looks at food issues and food security and also food safety. Environmental issues, sustainability issues, pesticides, soil fertility and nutrient use and incorporating scientific evidence into decisions made in society.

Chapter two deals with the fundamentals of organic agriculture past and present. It deals with the brief history of development for organic farming, along with the schools of organic agriculture. Biological dynamic agriculture, organic agriculture and biological organic agriculture. It also covers modern agriculture principles of health, ecology, fairness and care. Ethics in organic agriculture are also looked at along with the idealisation of nature and cooperation with nature, the dualistic character of nature and human stewardship.

In later chapters the subject matter covered is

• Can organic crop production feed the world?
• Plant nutrients, in organic farming
• Nutrient supply in organic agriculture plant availability, sources and recycling
• Synthesis of the apelsvoll cropping system experiment in Norway – nutrient balances, use efficiencies and leaching
• Use efficiency and leaching of nutrients in organic and conventional cropping systems in Sweden
• How will conversion to organic cereal production affect carbonstocks in Swedish agricultural soils?

• Energy analysis of organic and conventional agricultural systems
• The role of arbuscular mycorrhizas in organic farming
• Organic food production and its influence on naturally occurring toxins

A well-written and presented book, dealing with an issue that is sometimes frowned upon and in other circles looked upon as the future of farming. The editors have laid this book out in a way that allows the reader to evaluate and understand the complex issues that are part of organic agriculture, and to form a balanced image of organic agriculture.

In my opinion this is a good source of information that would be of benefit to anyone who is keenly interested in organic farming as well as to students of agriculture.

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.