organic farming

organic farming
or organic gardening

System of crop cultivation that uses biological methods of fertilization and pest control as substitutes for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are regarded by supporters of organic methods as harmful to health and the environment and unnecessary for successful cultivation.

It was initiated as a conscious rejection of modern agri-chemical techniques in the 1930s by the British agronomist Sir Albert Howard. Miscellaneous organic materials, including animal manure, compost, grass turf, straw, and other crop residues, are applied to fields to improve both soil structure and moisture-holding capacity and to nourish soil life, which in turn nourishes plants. (Chemical fertilizers, by contrast, feed plants directly.) Biological pest control is achieved through preventive methods, including diversified farming, crop rotation, the planting of pest-deterrent species, and the use of integrated pest management techniques. Bioengineered strains are avoided. Since organic farming is time-consuming, organically grown produce tends to be expensive. Organic produce formerly accounted for a minuscule portion of total American farm output, but it has seen a huge proportional increase in sales in recent years.

* * *

also called  organic gardening 

      system of crop cultivation employing biological methods of fertilization and pest control as substitutes for chemical fertilizers and pesticides; the latter products are regarded by proponents of organic methods as injurious to health and the environment and unnecessary for successful cultivation.

      Organic farming as a conscious rejection of modern agri-chemical techniques had its origin in the 1930s, when Sir Albert Howard, a British agricultural scientist, introduced a system of holistic and natural animal and plant husbandry in which town wastes were returned to the soil for utilization as nutrient material. The practice has been employed in portions of every continent where miscellaneous organic materials, including animal manure, sewage sludge, compost, grass turf, straw, and other crop residues, are applied to fields to improve both soil structure and moisture-holding capacity and to nourish soil life, which in turn nourishes plants; chemical fertilizers, by contrast, feed plants directly.

      Biological pest control is achieved through preventive methods, including diversified farming, crop rotation, and the planting of pest-deterrent species, and by pest-management techniques, including the releasing of sterile male insects and predators of pests. Organic farming uses less petroleum than does conventional farming and is most compatible with diversified, small-scale, labour-intensive cultivation.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • organic farming — ➔ farming …   Financial and business terms

  • Organic farming — Agriculture General …   Wikipedia

  • organic farming — ekologinė žemdirbystė statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Žemdirbystės sistema, kurioje draudžiama naudoti mineralines trąšas, pesticidus, augimo reguliavimo medžiagas ir gyvulių bei paukščių pašarų priedus. atitikmenys: angl.… …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • Organic farming by country — Organic farming is practised across the globe, but the markets for sale are strongest in North America and Europe. Contents 1 Organic farming by continent 1.1 Africa 1.2 Asia 1.3 …   Wikipedia

  • Organic farming in New Zealand — Organic farming practices in New Zealand began on a commercial scale in the 1980s and is now an increasing segment of the market with some of the larger companies such as Wattie s becoming involved. Lincoln University, which has a strong focus on …   Wikipedia

  • Organic farming and biodiversity — The effect of organic farming has been a subject of interest for researchers. Theory suggests that organic farming practices, which exclude the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, would be beneficial for biodiversity, and this has proven …   Wikipedia

  • Organic farming methods — Main article: Organic farming Organic farming methods combine scientific knowledge of ecology and modern technology with traditional farming practices based on naturally occurring biological processes. Organic farming methods are studied in the… …   Wikipedia

  • Organic Farming Digest — The Organic Farming Digest (1946 1954) was the first organic journal to be published by an agricultural association. The Digest was published quarterly and it included Australian, British, American, European and African authors. About half of the …   Wikipedia

  • organic farming — noun An approach to farming based on biological methods that avoid the use of synthetic crop or livestock production inputs and on a broadly defined philosophy of farming that puts value on ecological harmony, resource efficiency, and non… …   Wiktionary

  • organic farming —   a modern farming system which deliberately eschews the use of chemical inputs to the farm. Has become increasingly popular in the EMDW in recent years, as people have demanded agricultural methods that are kinder to the environment. As well as… …   Geography glossary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”