Previous PageTable Of ContentsNext Page

PLANT PRODUCTION WORKING GROUP

(RAPPORTEUR: C. STOPES AND CHAIRMAN: D. ZNAOR)


Twelve experts from 12 countries participated, namely: P. Plamen (Bulgaria); H. Niels (Denmark), D. Cristophe (France); R.H. Jugen (Germany); K. Emmanouili (Greece); R. Laszlo (Hungary); Z. Darko (The Netherlands/Croatia) - Chairman; S.L. Elina (Norway); T. Ion (Romania); L-B. Magdalena (Slovak Republic); F. Padrout (Switzerland) and C. Stopes (United Kingdom) - Rapporteur.

Excerpts from the notes taken:

Conventional methods are used in 90 percent of OA research.

In each of the research process phases (question identification, methods used, result interpretation and dissemination) either a conventional or alternative/novel route can be taken.

CROPPING SYSTEMS AND CROP PRODUCTION

Definition of System Boundaries

EXAMPLE QUESTIONS FROM GROUP

NEED

REFLECTION

ACTION

DISSEMINATION

Topic

Farmer problem/
Research question/
Observation

Research methods and practice

 

Potato blight

During vegetative period appears to be nutrient deficiency

Specific research to quantify deficiency and seek appropriate measures to rectify

 

Appropriate crop rotations for conversion

Conventional 'rotation'- continuous maize.
On conversion: appropriate crop rotation for weed control and nutrient management

Experimental research trial

  • build confidence
  • replicated trial
  • weed and nutrient management
  • agro-ecology
  • economic
 

N management for
cereal crops

Farmer interviews,
understand
questions/systems/
practice

On farm trials -
10 farms

 

EXAMPLE EXPERTISE IN THE GROUP:

Vegetable Production

0

Crop Rotation

7

Cereal

2

N and Soil Management

3

Green Manures

1

Novel Cropping Systems - Intercropping

0

Weed Management

3

Plant Production

5

Manure Management and Composting

3

Farming Systems

3

Soil Biology

1

Pest and Disease Control

4

Biodiversity

1

Dissemination

0

Seed Production and Plant Breeding

0

Standards

0

Research Methods, Holistic, Replicated, On-farm, etc.

4

WORKING GROUP RANKING OF APPROACHES FOR ORGANIC FARMING R&D

Approach

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Tot

Participatory

40

10

90

100

20

80

50

20

20

 

20

30

480

"Split plot" ***

50

20

   

30

20

20

20

20

 

20

30

230

Modelling

 

7

   

30

   

10

10

     

57

Statistics

 

10

   

20

   

10

10

 

20

10

80

Qualitative

10

10

                   

20

Knowledge dev

 

10

               

20

 

30

Precision Farm

 

7

               

20

 

30

Pilot farms

 

35

       

30

30

30

   

30

155

*** "Split plot" includes e.g. lab/growth chamber; Glasshouse; Field experiments.

PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH APPROACH FOR ORGANIC CROP PRODUCTION R&D

Researcher and farmer actively involved in process

     
 

Observe innovative farms

 
     
 

Characterize differences

 
     
 

Identify cause/effect

 
     

Determine predictability in wider range - 

Agro-ecological region

     
   

Pedology

     
   

Climate

     
   

----------

     
   

Farming type

     

Empirical method to refine predicability.

 

Previous PageTop Of PageNext Page