Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming

@article{Maeder2002SoilFA,
  title={Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming},
  author={Paul F. Maeder and Andreas Fliessbach and David Dubois and Lucie Gunst and Padruot Men Fried and Urs A. Niggli},
  journal={Science},
  year={2002},
  volume={296},
  pages={1694 - 1697}
}
An understanding of agroecosystems is key to determining effective farming systems. Here we report results from a 21-year study of agronomic and ecological performance of biodynamic, bioorganic, and conventional farming systems in Central Europe. We found crop yields to be 20% lower in the organic systems, although input of fertilizer and energy was reduced by 34 to 53% and pesticide input by 97%. Enhanced soil fertility and higher biodiversity found in organic plots may render these systems… 
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