Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
is also an increased need of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Residual content of nitrogen
contributes to underground and surface waters pollution and nitrogen evaporation into the
atmosphere. The accumulation of such active substances in the soil results in destruction of
useful microorganisms, antagonists and other soil organisms, also leads to development of
resistance to pesticides in harmful organisms, decrease of plant and animal species number,
pollution of underground and surface waters and the atmosphere with a negative impact to
the whole ecosystem. Similarly, the intensifying concentration and specialization of livestock
production results in great local amounts of organic wastes, possibilities of their utilisation are
not sufficient and the risk of soil and water pollution rises.
Within the organic farming systems the soil quality remains the main interest. Soil erosion
control measures include cover crops, mulching, limited soil cultivation, windbreaks planting,
use of lighter and smaller machinery, keep an optimal soil structure and looseness. These
preservative soil cultivation principles are combined with lower need of pesticides. Thus there
is ensured a sufficient nutrient cycle and organic matter content in the soil leading to an optimal
soil biological activity and fertility. Generally, the principles of organic farming ensure
protection of water sources and soil moisture, prevent the underground and surface waters
from pollutants and sediments as well. Water preservation is the priority, there are used
terraces, environmental corridors and border zones and other measures. There are also
considerable differences in biodiversity, which, within the conventional farming, markedly
suffers not only due to crop range reduction leading to monocultures in fact, but also thanks
to reduction of associated fauna and flora thought as harmful and thus systematically
eliminated or suffering from pesticides or other biocide substances at the same time. By
contrast, organic farming purposefully supports biodiversity, takes advantage of more
adaptable animal and crop species and varieties to the habitat conditions, uses varied crop
rotations, species and variety mixtures, applies technical and organizational measures friendly
to the organisms and the environment. Organic farming systems are also more environmen‐
tally friendly with regard to the greenhouse gases emissions production. Above all, this
emission reduction is achieved thanks to the limited use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
and lower livestock production intensity.
Although the organic farming systems show much friendlier environmental impact when
compared to the conventional ones, there has still been room for further improvements. When
compared to the conventional farming systems, one of the most important weakness of
contemporary organic farming is a low production capability. In countries with established
organic farming yields on arable land reach only 45-100 % in comparison to conventional
farming. This difference shows a specific reserve and rising potential of the production
capability through appropriate intensification related to natural fertility of a habitat. Among
the environmentally acceptable (rational, biological, technological…) means and methods of
the ecofunctional intensification within organic farming systems belong e.g.:
•
Better management of the soil organic matter
•
Use of perennial leguminous plants
•
Support of the soil-plant interaction
