A basket of options to control worms in organic sheep production systems
Organic sheep producers are aware that worm control issues continue to pose a threat to their business. To a large extent, they still have to rely on dewormers to maintain the health and productivity of their animals. Research on alternative strategies for worm control can now be put into practice. These strategies have been developed […]
Study on the environmental impacts of achieving 25% organic land by 2030
The report ‘Study on the environmental impacts of achieving 25% organic land by 2030’ outlines and quantifies the benefits – in terms of the environment, climate change mitigation, reduced nitrogen pollution and improved biodiversity – that would be obtained by achieving 25% organic farmland in the EU. In particular, total GHG emissions would be reduced […]
Riciclaggio dei residui agricoli nell’agricoltura biologica mediante la produzione di compost in azienda
Gli agricoltori si trovano spesso ad affrontare problemi di produzione di scarti agricoli (il cui smaltimento non corretto può determinare un impatto ambientale dannoso) e di impoverimento della fertilità del suolo. La valorizzazione sostenibile dei residui colturali potrebbe consentire il recupero di componenti preziosi come substrati e nutrienti in processi microbici/enzimatici controllati, come il compostaggio. […]
Presence of pesticides in the environment, transition into organic food, and implications for quality assurance along the European organic food chain
The use of synthetic pesticides is not allowed in organic production, but traces of synthetic pesticides are regularly detected in organic food. To safeguard the integrity of organic production, organic certifiers are obliged to investigate the causes for pesticide residues on organic food, entailing high costs to the organic sector. Such residues can have various […]
An Overview of Pest and Disease Occurrence in Organic Pome Fruit Orchards in Europe and on the Implementation of Practices for Their Control
There is limited data regarding the specific problems faced by organic fruit growers when dealing with plant protection, particularly at a European Union level, though some general knowledge about pest and disease incidence can be found. Such information is crucial to improve the efficacy of a targeted knowledge transfer to organic fruit growers and advisors […]
Knowledge Networks in Organic Fruit Production across Europe: A Survey Study
Limited data regarding the resources and methods used by organic fruit growers to learn about production practices are available, even though this information is crucial to improving the efficacy of knowledge transfer. Therefore, a survey to gain information from knowledge networks dealing with organic fruit production about their structural organisation, tasks and methods of communication […]
Practices to improve soil fertility and nutrient availability in organic fruit orchards
A BioFruitNet practice abstract. Organic fruit orchards are dependent on commercial organic fertilizers derived from intensive conventional animal husbandry. These inputs are contentious and to be phased out. As a solution, it is possible to develop new fertilization strategies based on farm internal resources (e.g., clover based), plant-based sources (e.g., grain legumes as living mulch […]
Organic fertilizers in fruit orchards
A BioFruitNet practice abstract. Fertilization of organic fruit orchards strongly relies on authorized external commercial fertilizers leading to nutrient flows from conventional into organic farming systems. The use of alternative fertilizers including legume-based materials and non-contentious external commercial fertilizers, should be based on locally available resourced. An integrated approach is recommended. Alternating and integrating different […]
Functional biodiversity: Mediterranean plants to improve natural enemies in organic citrus
Resurgent pests or invasive exotic pests (e.g., two new species of mealybugs, or the Trioza erytreae, transmitter of the Huanglongbing disease (HLB)) are major challenges of the Mediterranean citriculture). The solution could be to increase the presence and prevalence of natural enemies of pests through the introduction of plant biodiversity such as perimeter hedges, ground […]
Drosophila suzukii control: Preventive measures in organic stone fruit orchards
A BioFruitNet practice abstract. The spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii is an invasive pest attacking soft fruit species (berries, cherries, plums, grapes), as well as many wild berry plants. D. suzukii female adultslay eggs into the fruits from which larvae develop. The control strategy of D. suzukii includes preventive measures1 such as orchard management, field […]
