A field experiment compared the agronomic performance of 3 certified organic grain cropping systems to conventional no-till and integrated systems over 6 years. Soil tests showed the organic systems had significantly higher active carbon and phosphorus levels compared to the conventional systems. The organic system with tillage and soil amendments (O1) had the highest economic return over the study period, averaging $1,149 per year compared to $341 and $789 for the conventional systems. The results indicate organic systems can economically maintain soil quality when conventional systems do not use soil amendments.

1. Agronomic Response to Organic
Grain Cropping Systems
Sundermeier, A.,
Ohio State University Extension, Bowling Green, Ohio
ABSTRACT SOIL TEST COMPARISONS CROP ROTATION
Active Carbon lb/acre
A field size experiment was initiated in 2001 in Northwest 6-12 inch LSD = 74 , significance at 10%
1-6 inch NS NT Int O1 O2 O3
Ohio to compare the agronomic response of certified
organic grain cropping systems compared to conventional 1400 2006 wheat wheat wheat wheat hay
systems. The experiment is addressing ways to maintain 1350
grain production and economic viability while building soil 2007 corn corn corn corn corn
1300
quality. The treatments include three certified organic, a 2008 soybean soybean soybean soybean hay
B
conventional no-till, and an integrated conventional grain 1250 B 6-12 inch
cropping system. All treatments consist of 5 replications B 2009 wheat wheat hay hay hay
1200
that are randomized throughout a 30 acre field. Each 1-6 inch
1150 2010 corn corn corn corn corn
treatment has utilized different soil improvement strategies
A
to provide crop nutrients and improve soil quality. Recent 1100 2011 soybean soybean soybean soybean soybean
soil test analysis shows that all 3 organic systems have
1050 A
significantly higher active carbon content at the 6 – 12 inch
soil depth compared to both conventional systems. Also, 1000
phosphorus soil test levels showed significant differences, NT Int O1 O2 O3
ECONOMIC RETURN
with the organic 1 (O1) system at 54 parts per million (ppm) pH
Organic Matter %
different from the organic 3 (O3) system at 21 ppm. The 7.2
4 NT Int O1 O2 O3
conventional no-till (36 ppm) and integrated (29 ppm) were NS - not significant
7 NS - not significant
similar to each other but significantly less than the O1 3.8 2006 $ (26.17) $ 12.50 $ 44.39 $ 48.16 $ 133.00
6.8
system phosphorus levels. All other soil analysis showed
3.6
no significant differences. Economic analysis of the organic 6.6
3 (O3) system showed the greatest income over the 6 year 3.4 2007 $ 197.90 $ 309.18 $ 289.61 $ 294.88 $ 567.12
6.4
period. These results indicate that tillage along with soil
amendments in the organic systems can economically 3.2 6.2
maintain soil quality when compared to conventional 6 2008 $ (56.65) $ (71.56) $ 45.16 $ 63.07 $ 133.00
3
systems without these amendments. NT Int O1 O2 O3 NT Int O1 O2 O3
Potassium ppm 2009 $ 40.32 $ 49.28 $ 133.00 $ 133.00 $ 133.00
Phosphorus ppm
60 180
METHODS LSD (.05) = 9
D NS - not significant
175
50 2010 $ (70.33) $ 274.66 $ 46.91 $ 212.58 $ 377.19
Established spring 2001 in five replicate blocks, D
170
each system 30’ x 900’ 40 C 165
Compares the following five farming systems:
BC 2011 $ 256.90 $ 215.52 $ 590.45 $ 576.52 $ 546.67
30 160
Farming System 1 Conventional Corn – Soybeans – Wheat ( NT ) AB
No-till, inorganic fertility, pesticides, conventional commodity marketing. 20 155 6 YEAR
NET $ 341.97 $ 789.58 $ 1,149.52 $ 1,328.21 $ 1,889.98
Farming System 2 Integrated Corn – Soybeans – Wheat ( Int ) 10
150
No- and reduced-tillage, mixture of inorganic and organic fertility, cover 145
crops, reduced rates on pesticides and fertilizers, conventional 0 NT Int O1 O2 O3
marketing. NT Int O1 O2 O3 CONCLUSION
Farming System 3 Organic Corn – Soybeans – Wheat/ Hay ( O1 ) Magnesium ppm 2900 Calcium ppm Analysis shows that organic cropping systems
Reduced tillage, poultry compost fertility, cover crops, mechanical 450
weed control, organic commodity marketing. 400
NS - not significant
2800 were able to equal conventional cropping system’s
350 2700 NS - not significant soil test results. Active carbon and phosphorus
Farming System 4 Hirzel Organic Grains ( O2 )
Oats-Alfalfa-Alfalfa-Alfalfa-Corn-Soybeans-Wheat/Clover-Corn- 300 levels were significantly higher in some cases in
2600
Soybean-; High tonnage initial input duck manure/leaf refuse compost 250 the organic systems. The economic returns were
fertility + other soil amendments, cover crops, mechanical weed 2500
also higher in the organic systems. As a result, the
control, organic niche marketing. 200
150 2400 agronomic response of organic cropping systems
Farming System 5 Organic Multi-Crop Grains ( O3 ) 100 2300 can compare favorably with conventional systems.
Oats/Clover –Sunflower–Soybeans–Spelt/Hay–Corn-Clover: Reduced
till, green manure fertility, mechanical weed control, organic marketing. 50 2200
Low input system. 0
NT Int O1 O2 O3 2100 Contact e-mail : sundermeier.5@osu.edu
NT Int O1 O2 O3