CROP DIVERSITY AND PRODUCTIVITY UNDER ORGANIC FARMING IN LITHUANIA

In Lithuania, the land area under organic management has been steadily increasing over the recent years. A research and development project was implemented in Lithuania with the aim of ascertaining crop strukcure, plant diversity and crops productivity in organically-managed farms under different soil conditions. In mixed farms, involved both in crop and animal production, perennial forage grasses prevailed in the crop structure, while cereals predominated in crop production farms. Crop production farms grew more grain legumes and their mixtures with cereals compared with mixed farms. Of grain legumes, field pea (semi-leafless) occupied the largest area. Lithuania's natural conditions are suitable for the cultivation of cereals, which are the main crops in the organic farm. Central Lithuania's soils are best suited for winter wheat cultivation. The total production area of spring cereals is slightly bigger than that of winter cereals. The greatest crop species diversity (on average 8 species) was recorded in the farms present in Central Lithuania, characterised by fertile soils, where conditions for both crop production and animal production are favourable. The productivity of organically-managed crops was unstable and varied within a very wide range. This was influenced not only by natural and soil conditions but also by the different agronomic practices applied. Winter cereal was slightly more productive than spring cereal.