The Science Beneath Organic Production

A groundbreaking book that addresses the science that underpins organic agriculture and horticulture and its impact upon the management of organic systems

With contributions from noted experts in the field, Organic Agriculture explores the cultural context of food production and examines the historical aspects, economic implications, and key scientific elements that underpin organic crop production. The book shows how a science-based approach to organic farming is grounded in history and elements of the social sciences as well as the more traditional areas of physics, chemistry and biology.

Organic Agriculture offers a detailed explanation of the differences between organic systems and other approaches, answering questions about crop production and protection, crop rotations, soil health, biodiversity and the use of genetic resources. The authors identify current gaps in our understanding of the topic and discuss how organic farming research may be better accomplished in the future. This important book:

• Explores the science that underpins organic farming

• Contains illustrative case studies from around the world

• Examines organic agriculture's philosophical roots and its socio-economic context

Written for scientists and students of agriculture and horticulture, this book covers the issues linked to the use of science by organic producers and identifies key elements in the production of food.

Autorentext

ABOUT THE EDITORS DAVID ATKINSON was formerly Vice Principal at the Scottish Agricultural College and Chair of Falkland Rural Enterprises, an organic farming company. He continues to study the ethical implications of emerging biotechnologies. CHRISTINE A. WATSON leads soil science research at SRUC. She has extensive experience of research in organic farming and is involved in managing and teaching SRUC's postgraduate course in Organic Farming.

Inhalt
List of Contributors xi

Preface xiii

**1 Science and Organic Agriculture: An Introduction 1
**David Atkinson and Christine A. Watson

1.1 What is the Role of this Volume? 1

1.2 What is Organic Agriculture? 2

1.3 So What is Distinctive About its Science Base? 5

1.4 The Ecological Roots of Organic Production 6

1.5 Key Elements in the Science Context of Organic Agriculture 8

1.6 Some Areas of Different Science 10

1.7 Production Systems Compared 13

1.8 A Science Base for All Production 15

1.9 The Changing Context of Farming 18

References 21

**2 Science, Research and Organic Farming 25
**Lawrence Woodward

2.1 Introduction 25

2.2 The Roots of the Approach 25

2.2.1 Is it a philosophical or political movement and cannot therefore be scientific? 26

2.2.2 Does it lack coherence except as a marketing exercise? 27

2.2.3 Is it inherently unscientific because it is based on concepts that are not explicable in rational scientific terms? 28

2.3 Agricultural Science: Some Reflections 30

2.4 Conclusion 32

References 32

**3 Framing and Farming: Putting Organics in a Societal Context 33
**Pete Ritchie

3.1 Introduction 33

3.2 The Origin of Organics 34

3.3 The Argument from Economics: Is More Better? 35

3.4 The Argument from the Environment: Externalities Matter 37

3.5 The Argument from Ethics: There's Something Wrong with the System 37

3.5.1 What is the Place of Humans in Nature? 38

3.5.2 What is Farming For, and What Makes for Good Farming? 40

3.5.3 How can the way we produce food promote social justice? 41

3.6 Aligning Organics with Social Justice 42

3.7 Conclusion 43

References 43

Further Reading 43

**4 Soil Health and Its Management for Organic Farming 45
**Elizabeth A. Stockdale, Tony C. Edwards and Christine A. Watson

4.1 Introduction 45

4.2 Soil Components 47

4.2.1 Soil Parent Material and Profile Formation 47

4.2.2 Soil Organic Matter 48

4.2.3 Soil Organisms 48

4.3 Key Soil Processes in Agricultural Systems 51

4.3.1 Decomposition 51

4.4 Soil Structure Formation and Stabilisation 53

4.5 BelowGround Ecological Interactions 54

4.6 Nutrient Cycling and Management 56

4.6.1 Potassium (K) and Other Cations (Mg, Ca) 56

4.6.2 Nitrogen (N) 57

4.6.3 Phosphorus (P) 59

4.7 Impact of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Function and Health 61

4.8 Cropping Systems 63

4.9 Intensive Grassland 65

4.10 Conclusion 66

References 68

**5 Cropping Systems and Crop Choice 79
**Robin L. Walker

5.1 Farming Systems 79

5.2 Land Capability and Cropping System Choice 81

5.2.1 Rainfall 81

5.2.2 Temperature 81

5.2.3 Altitude and Topography 82

5.2.4 Soil 83

5.2.5 Markets 83

5.2.6 Traditions 83

5.2.7 Government Policy 84

5.3 How Land Capability is Used in Practice 84

5.4 Conclusion 85

References 85

**6 Crop Rotations: The Core of Organic Production 87
**David Atkinson and Robin L. Walker

6.1 Introduction 87

6.2 The History of Crop Rotations 88

6.3 Rotations in Organic Production 91

6.4 The Ecological Science Base of Organic Production 94

6.5 Impact of Rotations on Soil Properties 95

6.5.1 Impact of Rotations on Soil Condition 95

6.5.2 Impact of Rotations on Nutrient Availability 98

6.5.3 Nitrogen Supply in Rotations 99

6.5.4 Phosphorus Supply in Rotations 100

6.6 Impact of Rotations on Crop Protection 103 6.7 Stockless...