ORGANIC FARMING AND CONSERVATION TILLAGE INFLUENCED SOIL HEALTH COMPONENT

The present article reviews the scientific literature on the influence of organic and conventional farming as well as organic fertilizer source (plant-based vs. animal-based) on soil health. Additionally, the role of tillage practices (conservational vs. conventional) in soil performance is studied. Research shows that organic farming systems potentially enhanced soil health through improved soil respiration-CO2 (soil health indicator), soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, soil water content as well as soil microorganism's (fungi, bacteria and nematodes) activity and abundance. Conversely, organic systems had lower yield compared to conventional. Organic farming sources also significantly affected soil health. Plant-based fertilizers (e.g. corn and alfalfa meal) also improved soil health (respiration-CO2), organic matter %, nutrient availability and fruit quality. But, animal-based fertilizers (e.g. fish meal, chicken manure and blood meal) significantly increased marketable yield compared to plant-based ones, especially, in short-run projects. Tillage practices have also an impact on soil quality variables (physical, chemical and biological properties). Conservation tillage (no-till and strip) practices improve soil penetration resistance, organic carbon, and biota biomass, density, activity and diversity. In fact, conservation tillage practices increased soil microorganism (bacteria, fungi and nematode) activity and abundance and also available nutrients in comparison to conventional tillage. However, conservational tillage practices lead to higher soil compaction and greater number of root-feeding nematodes (harmful to plant roots). Overall, organic farming systems can successfully improve soil health but may not be the best choice for farmers whose essential short-term objective is a higher yield. Also, organic growers with a primary focus on yield should not use plant-based fertilizers (e.g. alfalfa).