Summary
This global meta-analysis of 193 studies reveals that organic agriculture exhibits significantly lower temporal yield stability (−15% per unit yield) compared to conventional agriculture, indicating greater year-to-year production variability. Whilst conservation agriculture (no-tillage) shows no significant stability difference from conventional tillage (−3%), the analysis identifies green manure and enhanced fertilisation as potential strategies to narrow the yield stability gap in organic systems. The findings suggest that future efforts to maintain organic farming's environmental benefits should prioritise reducing yield unpredictability through targeted management interventions.
UK applicability
These findings are directly applicable to UK agricultural policy and practice, as both organic and conservation agriculture are promoted under agri-environmental schemes. UK farmers transitioning to organic production should be aware of increased yield variability risk and consider adopting complementary practices such as green manure rotations to stabilise income and production reliability.
Key measures
Temporal yield stability expressed as percentage deviation from conventional agriculture baseline; comparison across cropping system types; assessment of management practices (green manure, fertilisation) on stability metrics
Outcomes reported
The study quantified and compared temporal yield stability (year-to-year variability) across organic agriculture, conservation agriculture (no-tillage) and conventional agriculture systems using data from 193 studies comprising 2896 comparisons. It evaluated the effectiveness of management interventions such as green manure and enhanced fertilisation in reducing yield stability gaps.
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