Workgroup Agrotechnology Results of the questionnaires Peter von Fragstein und Niemsdorff University

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Workgroup Agro-technology Results of the
questionnaires Peter von Fragstein und
Niemsdorff University of Kassel
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Questions of the survey

• Important crops
• Legumes
• Green manures
• Intercrops
• Field vegetables
• Cultivars
• Crop rotations
• Nutrient managment
• Ecological infrastructure

• Soil protection
• Tools for
• Soil tillage
• Seeding planting
• Harvesting
• Post harvest
• Research topics

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Most import crops
Counts shares of crop categories N 154
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Questions of the survey
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Most important crops
8 of 15 species are mentioned 88 of 100
8 of 14 are mentioned 83 of 100
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Most important crops
8 of 15 species are mentioned 88 of 100
8 of 14 are mentioned 83 of 100
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Rotational management
(EC Decl. 2092/91 2.1. The fertility and the
biological activity of the soil must be
maintained or increased, in the first instance,
by (a) cultivation of legumes, green manures
or deep-rooting plants in an appropriate
multi-annual rotation programme...).
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Frequency of duration in organic crop rotations
of the partner countries (N 93)
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Frequency of share of non-legumes in organic
crop rotations of the partner countries
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Example for a vegetable oriented rotation
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Example for a field crop rotation
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Structure in organic vegetable crop rotations of
the partner countries (N 15)
L Legumes V Vegetables AC Arable crops
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Frequency of rotations of different length in
all partner countries
endangered by pressure of pathogens
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Rotational management
Critical points

• Loss of soil fertility building components and N
  multiplying effect of rotations More need for
  nutrient import through purchased manure,
  composts or even processed slaughterhouse waste
  material
• (How organic is such a system?)
• 20 of 93 ( 22 ) examples free of legumes
• Rotations of 2 or 3 years appropriate to the
  definition of an multi-annual rotational
  programme? (Expected accumulation of soil borne
  diseases, increase of incompatabilities, loss in
  biodiversity)
• 21 of 93 ( 23 ) shorter than 4 years

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Nutrient management
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Nutrient management
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Nutrient management
Comment23 different brand names out of 30
replies from 14 partner countries Nutrient
supply throughrotational management and
manure/compost applicationNeed for continuous
soil analyses (frequency debatable)
Incomplete Insufficient basis !!!
Export loss of nutrients more in focusN / P /
K / Ca / (Mg)
Replace extracted nutrients in time with regard
to slow release fertilizers in OA
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Ecological Infrastructure

• 2 of 14 replies precise figures (4 to 20 )
• 12 of 14 replies under discussion or not answered

• Rural development
• Landscape management
• Agro-tourisme

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Soil protection through cover crops
50 64 57 86
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Soil protection through undersowing
12 21 07 79
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Soil protection through mulching
43 71 64 21
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Machines for soil tillage in organic farms of
the partner countries
replies
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Essence of the survey

• Rotational management has to be reassessed in
  many cases in order to meet the requirements of
  good organic practice (and the guidelines of EC
  Decl. 2092/91)
• Number of years, share of legumes as main cover
  crops, distribution of legumes within the course
• Nutrient supply through purchased fertilizers
• More focus on extracted nutrients not replaced
  by on-farm nutrient sources
• Machines in use
• The level of mechanisation within the New Member
  Countries can be expected to approach the levels
  of Old Member Countries in a reasonable time

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Essence of the survey

• Rotational management have to be reassessed in
  many cases in order to meet the requirements of
  good organic practice (and the guidelines of EC
  Decl. 2092/91)
• Number of years, share of legumes as main cover
  crops, distribution of legumes within the course
• Nutrient supply through purchased fertilizers
• More focus on extracted nutrients not replaced
  by on-farm nutrient sources
• Machines in use
• The level of mechanisation within the New Member
  Countries can be expected to approach the levels
  of Old Member Countriesin a reasonable time

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Essence of the survey

• Rotational management have to be reassessed in
  many cases in order to meet the requirements of
  good organic practice (and the guidelines of EC
  Decl. 2092/91)
• Number of years, share of legumes as main cover
  crops, distribution of legumes within the course
• Nutrient supply through purchased fertilizers
• More focus on extracted nutrients not replaced
  by on-farm nutrient sources
• Machines in use
• The level of mechanisation within the New Member
  Countries can be expected to approach the levels
  of Old Member Countriesin a reasonable time

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Essence of the survey

• Ecological infrastructure
• Link between agricultural practice and nature
  conservation has to be sharpened

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Thank you
for
your interest