Impact of Organic Farming Practices on Crop Productivity and Soil Health: A Review
Narinder Panotra
Institute of Biotechnology, SKUAST, Jammu, J&K-180009, India.
Mohd Ashaq *
Department of Botany, Govt Degree College, Thannamandi, Rajouri, J&K, 185212, India.
Lalita Kumar Mohanty
KVK, Jajpur, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Sruthi Saji
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Trivandrum, Kerala Agricultural University, India.
Pundlik Waghmare
VNMKV, Parbhani (MS), India.
Mayank Kumar
Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, U.P., India.
Shashidhar, K. S.
Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, RGSC, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, 231307, India.
Soumya Prakash Bhoi
Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute New Delhi, India.
Priyanka Solanki
Department of Social Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar, AU, Kota, India.
Puspa Parameswari
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India.
Kahkashan Parvin
Department of Food and Nutrition, Era University, Lucknow, U.P., India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Organic farming represents a sustainable agricultural paradigm that prioritises ecological balance, biodiversity, and natural inputs over synthetic chemicals. In organic farming, practices like crop rotation, livestock integration, and composting enhance nutrient cycling, suppress pests, and close yield gaps. This review synthesises evidence on key practices—crop rotation, cover cropping, green manures, composting, integrated pest management, and conservation tillage—and their effects on crop productivity and soil health. Organic systems often yield 10-20% less than conventional counterparts due to nitrogen limitations and pest pressures, yet they excel in nutritional quality, with higher antioxidants and omega-3s in produce. Crops demonstrate greater resilience to abiotic stresses like drought, attributed to robust root systems and microbial symbiosis. Soil health markedly improves: organic matter accumulates, fostering microbial diversity and enzyme activity essential for nutrient cycling. Enhanced soil structure boosts water retention and erosion resistance, while biofumigation and antagonists suppress soil-borne pathogens. Challenges include yield gaps, weed proliferation, and a 2-3 year transition period with productivity dips, impacting economic viability. Long-term studies underscore closing gaps through optimised practices. Organic farming bolsters food security and ecosystem services, advocating policy support for transition. It is recommended that a comprehensive strategy be developed in collaboration with local authorities, NGOs, and community organisations to ensure widespread adoption and long-term success. Long-term comparative studies across agroecological zones highlight organic farming's advantages in carbon sequestration, biodiversity enhancement, and nutrient cycling, which mitigate climate impacts and enable yield parity or superiority during droughts via improved soil organic matter and water retention. Future directions encompass comparative trials, advanced metagenomic indicators, and socio-economic models for scaling.
Keywords: Organic farming, crop productivity, soil health, crop rotation, integrated pest management, sustainability