Summary
This long-term field trial compared greenhouse gas emissions from two organic farming systems (biodynamic and bioorganic) with two non-organic systems (mineral fertilisation and mixed farming with farmyard manure) in Switzerland. Organic systems achieved a 40.2% reduction in area-scaled N₂O emissions, though yield-scaled emissions were comparable between systems, suggesting that organic farming's climate benefit may depend on accounting methodology. The study identified soil quality properties—pH, organic carbon, and microbial biomass—as significant factors influencing N₂O emissions alongside nitrogen input rate.
UK applicability
The findings are potentially relevant to UK temperate mixed farming systems with similar soil and climate conditions, particularly regarding the trade-off between area-scaled and yield-scaled greenhouse gas accounting. However, applicability may be limited by differences in soil types, management practices, and cropping sequences between Switzerland and the UK, and would benefit from parallel UK-specific trials.
Key measures
N₂O and CH₄ fluxes (measured by manual chambers); cumulated emissions per hectare and per unit yield; soil properties including pH, soil organic carbon, and microbial biomass
Outcomes reported
The study measured nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) fluxes across organic (biodynamic and bioorganic) and non-organic farming systems over 571 days in a grass-clover–silage maize–green manure rotation. Key findings included a 40.2% reduction in area-scaled N₂O emissions under organic compared to non-organic systems, though yield-scaled N₂O emissions were similar.
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