Organic agriculture is gaining momentum in the Philippines as consumers become more health- and environment-conscious. This study investigated soil fertility based on soil chemistry and biological properties of organi...Organic agriculture is gaining momentum in the Philippines as consumers become more health- and environment-conscious. This study investigated soil fertility based on soil chemistry and biological properties of organic vegetable farms in Sariaya, Quezon Province and Los Baños, Laguna Province, with the aim of developing organic agriculture in the Philippines. We utilized the SOFIX (Soil Fertility Index) technology, which is designed to evaluate soil fertility by focusing on the activity and diversity of microbial communities in the soil. This technology provides a scientific assessment of soil health, aiming to contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Soil fertility parameters from four different farms cultivating outdoor organic vegetables were below the recommended values for organic production. Essential macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and total carbon content, which is indicative of soil organic matter, were insufficient. Bacterial biomass for soil organic matter decomposition, and nitrogen and phosphorus circulation was inadequate. These results indicated that organic plots lack the fertility needed for optimal organic crop growth. The poor fertility of these organic plots could be attributed to their recent shift from conventional cultivation, which used synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, to organic cultivation approximately seven years ago. This shift may harm soil microorganisms, leading to decreased fertility, nutrient availability and hindering the ability to sustain organic production. Overall, the findings of this case study emphasize the significant soil fertility challenges on organic vegetable farms. Therefore, farmers and agricultural practitioners must adopt appropriate soil management practices to improve soil fertility, microbial populations, nutrient availability, and overall soil health for successful organic production.展开更多
We compared chemical and biological properties of soils in organically and conventionally fertilized apple orchards in Nagano Prefecture (one of the major apple producing regions in Japan). Five apple orchards with di...We compared chemical and biological properties of soils in organically and conventionally fertilized apple orchards in Nagano Prefecture (one of the major apple producing regions in Japan). Five apple orchards with different fertilizer management systems were used for this study. The total carbon and total nitrogen contents were higher in the organically fertilized orchard, while the total phosphorus and total potassium were at similar levels in both organically and conventionally fertilized orchards. The bacterial biomass did not differ between the two orchards, but the N circulation activity was clearly higher in the organically fertilized orchard from April to December. Total carbon from 50,000 to 60,000 mg/kg, total nitrogen at about 3000 to 4000 mg/kg, and a C/N ratio of 15 - 20 were suggested to be suitable conditions for a high level of apple production under an organic fertilizer management system.展开更多
The effective utilization of steel slag, a byproduct produced in large quantities from the steel refining process, is an important issue. Because steel slag contains abundant mineral components, the effects of steel s...The effective utilization of steel slag, a byproduct produced in large quantities from the steel refining process, is an important issue. Because steel slag contains abundant mineral components, the effects of steel slag on soil bacterial biomass and plant mineral uptake were analyzed in this study. The soil pH increased in proportion to the amount of steel slag added. A lower concentration (0.2% to 1%) of steel slag addition did not change the bacterial biomass. However, a higher concentration of steel slag (above 1%) had a negative effect on bacterial biomass. A lower amount of steel slag (0.2% to 1%) addition in soil leads to increased mineral (Ca, Mg, and Fe) uptake and plant growth in Brassica rapa var. periviridis and Spinacia oleracea L. However, mineral uptake by the plants decreased when a large amount of steel slag (above 1%) was added to the soil. Low concentrations of steel slag (0.2% to 1%) in soil had positive effects on plant growth, mineral uptake of plants, and bacterial biomass.展开更多
文摘Organic agriculture is gaining momentum in the Philippines as consumers become more health- and environment-conscious. This study investigated soil fertility based on soil chemistry and biological properties of organic vegetable farms in Sariaya, Quezon Province and Los Baños, Laguna Province, with the aim of developing organic agriculture in the Philippines. We utilized the SOFIX (Soil Fertility Index) technology, which is designed to evaluate soil fertility by focusing on the activity and diversity of microbial communities in the soil. This technology provides a scientific assessment of soil health, aiming to contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Soil fertility parameters from four different farms cultivating outdoor organic vegetables were below the recommended values for organic production. Essential macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and total carbon content, which is indicative of soil organic matter, were insufficient. Bacterial biomass for soil organic matter decomposition, and nitrogen and phosphorus circulation was inadequate. These results indicated that organic plots lack the fertility needed for optimal organic crop growth. The poor fertility of these organic plots could be attributed to their recent shift from conventional cultivation, which used synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, to organic cultivation approximately seven years ago. This shift may harm soil microorganisms, leading to decreased fertility, nutrient availability and hindering the ability to sustain organic production. Overall, the findings of this case study emphasize the significant soil fertility challenges on organic vegetable farms. Therefore, farmers and agricultural practitioners must adopt appropriate soil management practices to improve soil fertility, microbial populations, nutrient availability, and overall soil health for successful organic production.
文摘We compared chemical and biological properties of soils in organically and conventionally fertilized apple orchards in Nagano Prefecture (one of the major apple producing regions in Japan). Five apple orchards with different fertilizer management systems were used for this study. The total carbon and total nitrogen contents were higher in the organically fertilized orchard, while the total phosphorus and total potassium were at similar levels in both organically and conventionally fertilized orchards. The bacterial biomass did not differ between the two orchards, but the N circulation activity was clearly higher in the organically fertilized orchard from April to December. Total carbon from 50,000 to 60,000 mg/kg, total nitrogen at about 3000 to 4000 mg/kg, and a C/N ratio of 15 - 20 were suggested to be suitable conditions for a high level of apple production under an organic fertilizer management system.
文摘The effective utilization of steel slag, a byproduct produced in large quantities from the steel refining process, is an important issue. Because steel slag contains abundant mineral components, the effects of steel slag on soil bacterial biomass and plant mineral uptake were analyzed in this study. The soil pH increased in proportion to the amount of steel slag added. A lower concentration (0.2% to 1%) of steel slag addition did not change the bacterial biomass. However, a higher concentration of steel slag (above 1%) had a negative effect on bacterial biomass. A lower amount of steel slag (0.2% to 1%) addition in soil leads to increased mineral (Ca, Mg, and Fe) uptake and plant growth in Brassica rapa var. periviridis and Spinacia oleracea L. However, mineral uptake by the plants decreased when a large amount of steel slag (above 1%) was added to the soil. Low concentrations of steel slag (0.2% to 1%) in soil had positive effects on plant growth, mineral uptake of plants, and bacterial biomass.
