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

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.

Keywords

energy; nutrient; recycling; organic farming

Published in

Energies
2011, volume: 4, number: 5, pages: 804-817
Publisher: MDPI AG

SLU Authors

• Arthurson, Veronica

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Jäderlund, Lotta

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG7 Affordable and clean energy
SDG12 Responsible consumption and production

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en4050804

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/58183