Organic farming. Pest and Pest management in medicinal plants

1. Organic farming
Pest and Pest management in medicinal plants
K SUDHEER KUMAR
Assoc.Professor
MAK COLLEGE OF PHARMACY , HYDERABAD

2. “organic farming is a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic
inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc) and to the
maximum extent feasible rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures,
off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of
nutrient mobilization and plant protection”.
“Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes
and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and
soil biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic,
biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs”.

3. Conserving environment and natural resources, re-establishing ecological balance,
encouraging sustainable agriculture, improving soil fertility, conserving flora and fauna,
increasing genetic diversity, and putting an end to chemical pollution and toxic residues.
In addition to banning the use of every kind of synthetic and chemical pesticides and
fertilizers, organic agriculture encourages practicing organic and green fertilization, crop
rotation, soil conservation, improving plants resistance to pests and diseases, benefiting
from parasites and predators.
The main goal of organic agriculture is not raising the quantity, but improving the quality
of food products. Now, by practicing organic agriculture, it is possible to produce
agricultural goods without polluting soil, water resources, and air while protecting
environment, plant, animal, and human health.

4. Objective of Organic Farming
Increase genetic diversity.
Promote more usage of natural pesticides.
Ensure the right soil cultivation at the right time.
Keep and build good soil structure and fertility.
Control pests, diseases and weeds.
Features
Protecting soil quality using organic material and encouraging biological activity
Indirect provision of crop nutrients using soil microorganisms
Nitrogen fixation in soils using legumes
Weed and pest control based on methods like crop rotation, biological diversity, natural
predators, organic manures and suitable chemical, thermal and biological intervention
Rearing of livestock, taking care of housing, nutrition, health, rearing and breeding
Care for the larger environment and conservation of natural habitats and wildlife

5. Types of Organic Farming:
1. Pure organic farming
It involves the use of organic manures and biopesticides with complete avoidance of
inorganic chemicals and pesticides.
2. Integrated organic farming
It involves integrated nutrients management and integrated pest management.
It is the type of farming in which development of crops from natural resources having the
complete nutritive value and manages to prevent the crop or plants from the pests.
3. Integration of different farming systems
Integration of different farming systems involves several other components of farming
such as poultry, mushroom production, goat rearing, and fishpond simultaneously with
regular crop components.

6. Techniques:
Crop Rotation:
It is the technique to grow various kind of crops in the same area, according to the
different seasons, in a sequential manner.
Green Manure:
It refers to the dying plants that are uprooted and turned into the soil to make them act
as a nutrient for the soil to increase its quality.
Biological Pest Control:
With this method, we use living organisms to control pests with or without the use of
chemicals.
Compost:
Highly rich in nutrients, it is a recycled organic matter used as a fertilizer in the
agricultural farms.

7. Management of Soil:
Soil management is the soul of organic farming. It’s a well-known fact that after taking
one crop, the soil of the farm loses most of its nutrients and its fertility goes down.
To process of recharging the soil with all the necessary nutrients is called soil
management. In organic farming the nutrients are recharged in the soil through natural
ways to increase the soil fertility.
For this purpose, animal waste is increasingly used to recharge the soil with the
necessary nutrients. The bacteria present in animal waste make soil fertile once again.
Management of Weeds:
Organic farming focuses on removing the weeds from the soil during the crop
production. Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in the agriculture fields
simultaneously with the crops and they suck most of the nutrients present in the soil.

8. KEY CHARACTERISTICS ARE THAT ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
• relies primarily on local, renewable resources;
• makes efficient use of solar energy and the production potential of biological systems;
• maintains the fertility of the soil;
• maximises recycling of plant nutrients and organic matter;
• does not use organisms or substances foreign to nature (e.g. chemical fertilisers or pesticides);
• maintains diversity in the production system as well as the agricultural landscape;
• gives farm animals life conditions that correspond to their ecological role and allow them a
natural behaviour.
increasing yields in low-input areas;
• conserving bio-diversity and nature resources on the farm and in the surrounding area;
• increasing income and/or reducing costs;
• producing safe and varied food;

9. Enrichment of soil
• Management of temperature
• Conservation of rain water
• Maximum harvesting of sun energy
• Self reliance in inputs
• Maintenance of natural cycles and life forms
• Integration of animals
• Maximum reliance on renewable energy sources, such as solar power and animal
power

10. The International Federation for Organic Agriculture Movement’s
(IFOAM) definition of Organic agriculture is based on:
The principle of health
The principle of ecology
The principle of fairness
The principle of care

11. Biopesticides/Bioinsecticides