New publication in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Marie-Louise Schärer, Ansgar Kahmen & coauthors published a new study on whether organic farming influences ecohydrological properties and water relations of soils and crops compared to conventional farming. Long-term effects of organic farming on soil moisture, soil water evaporation, as well as root water uptake depth and stomatal conductance of winter wheat and soybean were assessed in the 40 year old DOK (Dynamic, Organic, (K)conventional) system comparison trial situated in Therwil (BL). Stable isotope analyses and ecophysiological measurements revealed that organic compared to conventional farming did not affect soil water evaporation or root water uptake depths. Instead, the authors found higher soil moisture in the rooting zone and reduced stomatal conductance (gs) in organically grown crops. Based on these new findings the authors suggest that the reduced plant water use observed under organically managed farming leads to the observed higher soil moisture in organically compared to conventionally managed farming systems. Overall, this study highlights the potential advantages of organic farming regarding agronomic water use as well as for the resistance of farming systems to current or future drought scenarios.
Publication link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880922000640?via%3Dihub