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Comparison of variable liming strategies in organic farming systems using online pH-measurements
(2011)
In organic farming, soil pH is one of the most important soil characteristics affecting nutrient availability, soil microbial activity and plant growth. Using the soil pH mapping sensor system Veris MSP, detailed information on in-field variability of soil pH can be obtained enabling spatial variable lime application. Scenario calculations for an organically managed field in Germany reveal that compared with the standard farm practice (i.e. uniform liming rate) variable lime application does not lead to higher costs while soil pH is optimized in different field zones resulting in increased crop productivity. Using two different lime qualities increases liming costs moderately but gives farmers the chance to increase pH quickly in extreme low pH areas.
Nitrogen (N) pollution of groundwater bodies is often a result of high livestock densities combined with use of mineral N fertilisers in Northwest Germany, specifically in combination with sandy soils and high amounts of precipitation. Organic agriculture is discussed as an alternative management practice reducing nitrogen losses due to area-based livestock densities and waiving of mineral N fertilisers. A field trial with integrated ceramic suction cups over three years showed potential for reduced N loads under conventional management specifically with organic fertilisation. Now, the field trial is under transition into organic farming with promising additional benefits for drinking water quality and the great potential to develop optimised N management strategies.