Environmental Aspects Of Organic Farming

Moudrý, Jan

doi:10.5772/58298

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Raising awareness of climate change has triggered a large amount of research into comparing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the various agricultural production systems in Europe (Table 1). Organic farming is considered as the environmentally friendly system and is in line with the concept of a sustainable agricultural development [120,121]. However, in the literature, studies using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology in the production of field crops in the organic and conventional systems, there are divergent opinions on the environmental aspects of the production of field crops in these two systems.…”

Section: Carbon Footprint Of Organic Farmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing Carbon Footprint of Agriculture—Can Organic Farming Help to Mitigate Climate Change?

2022

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In the face of a changing climate, intensive efforts are needed for limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 °C. Agricultural production has the potential to play an important role in mitigating climate change. It is necessary to optimize all of the agricultural practices that have high levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among the plant production processes, mineral fertilization is of the greatest importance in the formation of the carbon footprint (CF) of crops. There are many possibilities for reducing GHG emissions from the application of fertilizers. Further benefits in reducing the CF can be obtained through combining tillage treatments, reduced and no-till technologies, and the cultivation of catch crops and leguminous plants. Organic farming has the potential for reducing GHG emissions and improving organic carbon sequestration. This system eliminates synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and thus could lower global agricultural GHG emissions. Organic farming could result in a higher soil organic carbon content compared to non-organic systems. When used together with other environmentally friendly farming practices, significant reductions of GHG emissions can be achieved.

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Section: Carbon Footprint Of Organic Farmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing Carbon Footprint of Agriculture—Can Organic Farming Help to Mitigate Climate Change?

2022

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“…Environmental aspects are one of the most important characteristics and benefits of organic farming with very positive effects on soil, water, biodiversity, and climate change [5,8,9]. The main objectives of organic farming in relation to soil are the maintenance and enhancement of soil life and natural soil fertility, soil stability, and soil biodiversity, prevention of soil compaction and erosion, and the nourishment of plants with natural nutrient circuit.…”

Section: Environmental Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High organic matter in organic soil can be maintained and improved through crop rotation, with crops that fix nitrogen from the air, with green cover, or with manure from livestock production. Strict rules do not allow using external nonorganic inputs (synthetic fertilizers) [5,[7][8][9].…”

Section: Environmental Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to the low stocking density, organic farming produces less methane on a hectare unit as conventional farming. There are still potentials to reduce methane emissions with improving manure management, ruminants' diet, or increased productivity that can improve methane emissions on yield basis and reduce production costs [5,[7][8][9].…”

Section: Environmental Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Organic Farming: A Good Production Decision for Slovenian Small Size Farms and Farms in the Areas with Restrictions/Limitations or Natural Obstacles for Agriculture?

Perpar¹,

Udovč²

2020

Multifunctionality and Impacts of Organic and Conventional Agriculture

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The negative effects of intensive agriculture on the environment, human health, natural resources, etc. require the use of more sustainable farming methods. The decision for organic farming is based on various factors: the personal levels of development and consciousness of the operator of the farm and members of his family, the socioeconomic and size structure of the farm, the type of area in which the farm is located, the availability of the market and the demand for organic products, etc. Organic farming in Slovenia appears to be particularly suitable for smaller farms, since it is more labor intensive, and payments from agricultural policy contribute to the economic efficiency of the farm, despite lower yields. Especially in protected areas, water protected areas, or less favored areas for agriculture, organic farming can be a more convenient farming method. The traditional farming practices that exist are already extensive and the available measures can contribute to farm income and compensate farmers for different services that they provide for the society. The multifunctionality of organic farming (and agriculture in general), i.e., ensuring also the environmental and social roles, is only possible if farming is economical at the same time.

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“…According to Stratmann et al [76], the primary agricultural production, processing, and transport produce about 45% of all the emissions. Changes to production processes and the establishment of more environmental-friendly approaches (transport limitations, preference in regional products) may reduce the environmental burden and emissions [77]. Chemical agents (herbicides) play a minor role (≤1%).…”

Section: Environmental Aspects Of Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Szarvasi-1 and Its Potential to Become a Substitute for Maize Which Is Grown for the Purposes of Biogas Plants in the Czech Republic

et al. 2019

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The domestic biogas market has been developing rapidly, and legislation (The Act) supporting the use of renewable energy sources has come into force. In light of this act and investment support from national programs co-financed by the European Union (EU), the total number of biogas plants has recently increased from a few to 670. The total capacity of electricity generation of those 670 installed plants exceeds 360 Megawatts (MW) (as of mid-2018). Such dynamic growth is expected to continue, and the targets of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan are projected to be met. The use of waste material, which was urgently needed, was the original aim of biogas plants. However, in certain cases, the original purpose has transformed, and phytomass is very often derived from purpose-grown energy crops. Maize is the most common and widely grown energy crop in the Czech Republic. Nevertheless, maize production raises several environmental issues. One way to potentially reduce maize’s harmful effects is to replace it with other suitable crops. Perennial energy crops, for example, are possible alternatives to maize. A newly introduced species for the conditions of the Czech Republic, Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus cv. Szarvasi-1, and some other well-known species—Phalaris arundinacea L. and Miscanthus × giganteus—are suitable for Czech Republic climate conditions. This paper presents the findings of the research and evaluation of environmental, energy-related, and economic aspects of growing these crops for use in biogas plants. These findings are based on 5-year small-plot field trials. The energy-related aspects of producing Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus cv. Szarvasi-1, Phalaris arundinacea L., and Miscanthus x giganteus are reported on the basis of experiments that included measuring the real methane yield from a production unit. The economic analysis is based on a model of every single growing and technological operation and costs. The environmental burden of the individual growing methods was assessed with a simplified life cycle assessment (LCA) using the impact category of Climate Change and the SimaPro 8.5.2.0 software tool, including an integrated method called ReCiPe. The research findings show that Szarvasi-1 produces 5.7–6.7 Euros (EUR) per Gigajoule (GJ) of energy, depending on the growing technology used. Szarvasi-1 generates an average energy profit of 101.4 GJ ha−1, which is half of that produced by maize (214.1 GJ ha−1). The environmental burden per energy unit of maize amounts to 16 kg of carbon dioxide eq GJ−1 compared with the environmental burden per energy unit of Szarvasi-1, which amounts to 7.2–15.6 kg of CO2 eq GJ−1, depending on the yield rate. On the basis of the above-mentioned yield rate of Szarvasi-1, it cannot be definitively recommended for the purpose of biogas plants in the Czech Republic.

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Environmental Aspects Of Organic Farming

Cited by 6 publications

References 28 publications

Reducing Carbon Footprint of Agriculture—Can Organic Farming Help to Mitigate Climate Change?

Reducing Carbon Footprint of Agriculture—Can Organic Farming Help to Mitigate Climate Change?

Organic Farming: A Good Production Decision for Slovenian Small Size Farms and Farms in the Areas with Restrictions/Limitations or Natural Obstacles for Agriculture?

Szarvasi-1 and Its Potential to Become a Substitute for Maize Which Is Grown for the Purposes of Biogas Plants in the Czech Republic

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