6203: Einfluss von biologisch-dynamischen Präparaten, Düngung und Bodenbearbeitung auf Bodenfruchtbarkeit und Ertrag [Effects of biodynamic preparations, fertilisation and reduced tillage on crop yield and soil fertility]

{PROJECT} Präparateversuch Frick: Einfluss von biologisch-dynamischen Präparaten, Düngung und Bodenbearbeitung auf Bodenfruchtbarkeit und Ertrag [Effects of biodynamic preparations, fertilisation and reduced tillage on crop yield and soil fertility]. Runs 01 October 2002 - 30 September 2011. Project leader(s): Berner, Alfred and Mäder, Paul, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), CH-5070 Frick. More information online at <http://www.fibl.org/forschung/anbautechnik-einjaehrig/bio-dyn/praeparateversuch.php>.

Summary

State of the Art:
Organic farming systems offer many benefits. However, these systems generally use mouldboard ploughing. Reduced tillage systems provide new opportunities, but were developed under conventional farming regimes involving the use of chemicals. Problems with weeds, slugs and a delay in soil nitrogen mineralisation in spring are difficult to solve under organic farming conditions. Furthermore, the occurrence of fusaria and the contamination of cereals with mycotoxins have frequently been associated with reduced tillage systems, especially in wheat following maize cultivation.
Project aims including target group:
In the present study, we are investigating whether the use of newly developed machines, in combination with an optimised fertilisation strategy and the use of biodynamic preparations will improve the sustainability of reduced tillage systems, without relying on synthetic inputs.
The target groups are farmers and advisors.
Methodology:
The experimental set-up consists of a three factorial filed trial with four replications. The following parameters are measured: Yield, root density, crop quality, weed infestation, soil organic matter, microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, mycorrhizal root colonisation, earth worm biomass and abundance.
Results, conclusion, state of the art:
In a recently started long-term field trial (2002 to 2011), located in Frick (1000 mm mean annual precipitation) near Basle (Switzerland), the effect of reduced tillage on crop yield, weed infestation, and occurrence of toxigenic fusaria was studied on a heavy soil (45% clay) in a crop rotation under organic farming conditions. The results of the first two experimental years (2003-2004), considered as the conversion period were: Wheat yield was 16% higher (p < 0.001) in ploughed plots than in the plots with reduced tillage (chisel and rotary harrow). In the following year, sunflower yield was enhanced by 5% (p = 0.06) in reduced tilled plots. Reduced tilled plots manifested a higher weed infestation, in particular with Convolvulus arvensis and Stellaria media. With the exception of low levels of Fusarium poae, no toxigenic fusaria were detected in wheat grains possibly due to the exceptionally dry and hot summer 2003. The deoxynivalenol (DON) content was low in all treatments. While the DON content in wheat straw was increased after reduced tillage, it was decreased after application of biodynamic preparations (p < 0.05). Overall, we assume that even on heavy soils, reduced tillage systems may be applicable on organic farms, but with a considerably higher input of labour. The soil quality is investigated now intensively.
In the conversion period from a ploughed to a reduced tillage system under organic farming conditions, yields decreased in the first year, but recovered in the second year. This can be interpreted as an adaptation of the soil processes to lower levels of mechanical disturbance. Although our results are based on two seasons only, we believe that reduced tillage might be applicable even on very heavy soils in organic farming, but with a considerably higher input of hand weeding compared with ploughing systems.

Additional Summary

Involved organisations, project partners:
Bernhard Streit, Susanne Vogelgsang, Agroscope FAL Reckenholz, Zürich, Schweiz
Literature:
Berner, A., R. Frei, HU. Dierauer, S. Vogelgsang, HR. Forrer and Paul Mäder (2005): Effects of reduced tillage, fertilisation and biodynamic preparations on crop yield, weed infestation and the occurrence of toxigenic fusaria. In: Köpke, U., U. Niggli, D. Neuhoff, P. Cornish, W. Lockeretz, H. Willer (2005): Researching Sustainable Systems. First scientific Conference of ISOFAR. 21st-23rd September 2005, Adelaide.
http://orgprints.org/4216/

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