Plant health care in organic farming - The role of natural substances in a biodiversity-based system approach
One of organic agriculture’s defining traits is its approach towards plant health care, relying mainly on preventive and indirect measures within the agroecosystem. As a last resort, organic farmers can combine these with direct measures, if these are based on the use of natural substances. The principles of organic agriculture seek to prevent the introduction of new and alien substances into ecosystems. So, the use of synthetic pesticides is prohibited. More and more European citizens are concerned over synthetic pesticides use.