Εffect of Organic, Biodynamic and Conventional Farming Systems in Selected Soil Parameters of Various Crops

Abstract

Growing concerns about the multifaceted harmful effects of conventional agriculture have led many farmers and consumers to seek alternative practices and systems, such as organic and biodynamic farming systems, that promote to improve the soil and product quality and will make agriculture more sustainable. In this research were determined in apple and wine grape crops for conventional, organic and biodynamic farming systems the following soil parameters: conductivity, pH, organic substance, soil mean weight diameter (MWD), organic C, total N, the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization rate and the number of earthworms in soil. It was also determined the qualitative characteristics of fruits in all these three farming systems and in case of apples are: fruit diameter, weight of fruit, color of skin and flesh firmness. While in the case of the wine grapes are: weight of 100 berries, peel weight of 50 berries, 100 pips weight, berries diameter and pH, acidity and sugars in the juice. The results indicated that, in the majority of all measurements the most positive effects were presented at the organic and biodynamic farming system versus conventional. Regarding the soil parameters, were found  positive effects of biodynamic farming system on the following parameters: total N, organic C, mycorrhizal colonization rate , while for organic farming system were found positive effects on the following parameters:  organic C and MWD. Between organic and biodynamic farming system, and for the fruit characteristics, more positive effects in the case of apples displays the biodynamic farming system whereas in the wine grapes the organic farming system.