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Utilization of Natural Farm Resources for Promoting High Energy Efficiency in Low-Input Organic Farming

Author

Listed:
  • Veronica Arthurson

    (Uppsala Biocenter, Department of Microbiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Lotta Jäderlund

    (Uppsala Biocenter, Department of Microbiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden)

Abstract

Both organic and conventional farming processes require energy input in the form of diesel fuel for farming equipment, animal feed, and fertilizer compounds. The most significant difference between the two methods is the use in conventional farming of mineral fertilizers and pesticides that are minimally employed in organic management. It is argued that organic farming is more environmentally friendly, given that synthetic fertilizers mainly used at conventional farms are replaced with animal manure and cover crops. Nutrient uptake by plants is additionally enhanced by the effective use of rhizobia and other types of plant growth-promoting bacteria, in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. This article aims to compare the amounts and/or types of energy and nutrients required for both farming systems and provide feasible suggestions for the sustainable use of farm resources in combination with good crop yields.

Suggested Citation

  • Veronica Arthurson & Lotta Jäderlund, 2011. "Utilization of Natural Farm Resources for Promoting High Energy Efficiency in Low-Input Organic Farming," Energies, MDPI, vol. 4(5), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:4:y:2011:i:5:p:804-817:d:12374
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Veronica Arthurson, 2009. "Closing the Global Energy and Nutrient Cycles through Application of Biogas Residue to Agricultural Land – Potential Benefits and Drawback," Energies, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-17, April.
    2. David Tilman, 1998. "The greening of the green revolution," Nature, Nature, vol. 396(6708), pages 211-212, November.
    3. Nassi o Di Nasso, N. & Bosco, S. & Di Bene, C. & Coli, A. & Mazzoncini, M. & Bonari, E., 2011. "Energy efficiency in long-term Mediterranean cropping systems with different management intensities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 1924-1930.
    4. Fredriksson, H. & Baky, A. & Bernesson, S. & Nordberg, A. & Noren, O. & Hansson, P.-A., 2006. "Use of on-farm produced biofuels on organic farms - Evaluation of energy balances and environmental loads for three possible fuels," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 89(1), pages 184-203, July.
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    1. Moritz Von Cossel & Iris Lewandowski & Berien Elbersen & Igor Staritsky & Michiel Van Eupen & Yasir Iqbal & Stefan Mantel & Danilo Scordia & Giorgio Testa & Salvatore Luciano Cosentino & Oksana Maliar, 2019. "Marginal Agricultural Land Low-Input Systems for Biomass Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-25, August.

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