Summary
This landmark paper, based on the long-running DOK trial in Switzerland, compared biodynamic, bioorganic, and conventional farming systems over more than two decades. Organic systems were found to support significantly higher soil microbial activity, mycorrhizal colonisation, and faunal biodiversity, despite yields being somewhat lower than in conventional systems. The authors conclude that organic farming can maintain soil fertility through biological rather than chemical means, with positive implications for long-term agricultural sustainability.
UK applicability
Although conducted under Swiss temperate conditions, the findings are broadly applicable to UK arable and mixed farming contexts, where soil health, reduced agrochemical use, and biodiversity outcomes are increasingly central to agri-environment policy, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Key measures
Soil microbial biomass; earthworm and mycorrhizal colonisation rates; crop yield (t/ha); nutrient availability; soil organic matter; biodiversity indices
Outcomes reported
The study compared soil fertility indicators, microbial biomass, and biodiversity metrics across organic and conventional farming systems over a long-term field trial. It assessed whether reduced inputs in organic systems could sustain comparable soil health and productivity outcomes.
Topic tags
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