About Book

Organic farming is an alternative form of agriculture. Unlike normal agricultural practices, it does not use artificial fertilizers but instead, uses bone meal, compost, manure and green manure for fertilization. It promotes the use of crop rotations and cover crops, and encourages balanced host/-predator relationships. Organic residues and nutrients produced on the farm are recycled back to the soil. Organic farming methods combine scientific knowledge of ecology and some modern technology with traditional farming practices based on naturally occurring biological processes. It relies more heavily on the natural breakdown of organic matter then the average conventional farm, using techniques like green manure and composting, to replace nutrients taken from the soil by previous crops. This book explores all the important aspects of organic farming in the present day scenario. It describes in detail the various concepts and techniques used under this area. It deals with composting process, agricultural homoeopathy, organic agriculture, organic amendments, organic fertiliser, soil modification, low input agriculture and sustainable organic farming. Different approaches, evaluations and methodologies and advanced studies have been included in it. Some of the diverse topics covered in this book address the varied branches that fall under this category. As this field is emerging at a rapid pace, the contents of this book will help the students understand the modern concepts and techniques of the subject. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Agricultural Homoeopathy: A New Insight into Organics..............1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................2

2. Effect of homoeopathy on plant species..........................................5

3. Conclusions..........................................................................................18

Acknowledgements.............................................................................19

Chapter 2 Enhancing Carbon Sequestration Using Organic Amendments and Agricultural Practices...............................................................................26

Abstract.................................................................................................26

1. Introduction..........................................................................................26

2. Agriculture practices which involve CS.........................................28

3. Organic amendments.........................................................................33

4. Conclusions..........................................................................................37

Abbreviations.......................................................................................37

Chapter 3 Use of Pasteurised and N-Organic-Enriched Sewage Sludge (Biosolid) as Organic Fertiliser for Maize Crops: Grain Production and Soil Modification Evaluation.........................................................49

Abstract.................................................................................................49

1. Introduction..........................................................................................50

2. Material and methods........................................................................51

3. Results...................................................................................................55

4. Conclusions..........................................................................................62

Chapter 4 On-Farm-Produced Organic Amendments on Maintaining and

Enhancing Soil Fertility and Nitrogen Availability in Organic or

Low Input Agriculture.............................................................................66

Abstract.................................................................................................66

1. Introduction ........................................................................................67

2. Comprehensive soil fertility and the functions of SOM.............68

3. On-farm–produced organic amendments .....................................71

4. Soil N availability and other plant nutrient availability

enhancement .......................................................................................77

5. Soil and water conservation by cover cropping .........................80

6. Conclusions..........................................................................................81

Acknowledgements ...........................................................................82

Chapter 5 Biochar Technology for Sustainable Organic Farming...................89

Abstract.................................................................................................89

1. Introduction..........................................................................................89

2. What is Biochar?.................................................................................91

3. Restoring/improving soil properties................................................93

4. Conclusion..........................................................................................104

Chapter 6 Organic Agriculture, Sustainability and Consumer

Preferences................................................................................................111

1. Introduction........................................................................................111

2. The impact of agriculture on the environment..........................113

3. Sustainable agriculture the undergirding principle of organic

agriculture...........................................................................................114

4. Community and sustainable systems...........................................117

5. Assessing consumers preferences toward production system

and consumers preferences for the attributes of fresh fruits and

vegetables............................................................................................122

6. Measuring preferences for food production systems ...............122

7. Measuring preferences for food attributes .................................129

Chapter 7 Valorization of Organic Wastes by Composting Process and Soil

Amendment..............................................................................................139

1. Introduction........................................................................................139

2. Composting process..........................................................................140

3. Conclusions........................................................................................153

Chapter 8 Current Status of Advisory and Extension Services for Organic Agriculture in Europe and Turkey.....................................................158

1. Introduction........................................................................................158

2. An overview on organic agriculture.............................................160

3. Organic development.......................................................................163

4. Organic product market..................................................................166

5. Advisory and extension services and legislation.......................168

6. Advisory and extension services in Europe................................170

7. The public extension model for organic agriculture of

Turkey..................................................................................................173

8. Conclusions........................................................................................176

Chapter 9 Lithuanian Organic Agriculture in the Context of European Union.........................................................................................................182

1. Introduction........................................................................................182

2. Material and methods......................................................................183

3. Development of organic agriculture.............................................184

4. Organic crop production.................................................................190

5. Animal husbandry............................................................................201

6. Processing of organic products......................................................203

7. Maintaining of organic agriculture................................................206

8. Conclusions........................................................................................211

Abbreviations.....................................................................................212

Acknowledgements...........................................................................213

Citation......................................................................................................219

Index...........................................................................................................221

About Author

Douglas Phillips pursued his Ph.D. in Organic Farming and Food Production from Technological University, Chihuahua. His areas of interest are crop rotation, companion planting and weed management. He is an Associate Professor at Community College, Alberta. He has written dozens of articles, textbook and research papers on organic farming, crop diversity, and weed management. Phillips is an active member of several agricultural societies, where he continues to share his expertise and knowledge in the field of organic farming. He also works as a freelance writer and editor of agriculture journals.