ORGANIC WINTER WHEAT

Ecological area for winter wheat in Romania

Winter wheat

Organic winter wheat

General aspects Growing small grains organically means using sustainable methods that exclude the use of standard commercial fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, preservatives, and growth regulators. Growing small grains organically means using sustainable methods that exclude the use of standard commercial fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, preservatives, and growth regulators. Organic farmers rely on crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off-farm wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral-bearing rocks, and biological pest control to maintain soil health, supply plant nutrients, and minimize insects, weeds, and diseases. Organic farmers rely on crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off-farm wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral-bearing rocks, and biological pest control to maintain soil health, supply plant nutrients, and minimize insects, weeds, and diseases. Organic management seeks to maximize the contributions of on-farm resources such as animal manures, composts, and green manures to soil fertility. Organic management seeks to maximize the contributions of on-farm resources such as animal manures, composts, and green manures to soil fertility. However, purchased off-farm nutrients—including mineral fertilizers, fortified composts, and plant and animal meals— may be necessary to ensure adequate nutrient availability during transition to an organic program. However, purchased off-farm nutrients—including mineral fertilizers, fortified composts, and plant and animal meals— may be necessary to ensure adequate nutrient availability during transition to an organic program.

Building soil organic matter enhances nutrient availability, as well as soil moisture-holding capacity, and can aid in preventing the buildup of soil-borne plant diseases. Building soil organic matter enhances nutrient availability, as well as soil moisture-holding capacity, and can aid in preventing the buildup of soil-borne plant diseases. A key part of an organic soil-building program is rotation of crops, coupled with the use of cover crops and green manures. A key part of an organic soil-building program is rotation of crops, coupled with the use of cover crops and green manures. Animal manures and legumes are two major sources of nitrogen in organic systems. Legume cover crops, plowed down to provide green-manure nitrogen, also contribute to soil tilth and organic matter. Animal manures and legumes are two major sources of nitrogen in organic systems. Legume cover crops, plowed down to provide green-manure nitrogen, also contribute to soil tilth and organic matter. During decomposition, legumes can provide 50 to 150 kg/ha of nitrogen. Small grains can also receive supplemental nitrogen from crop rotation patterns that include perennial legumes like alfalfa and clover. During decomposition, legumes can provide 50 to 150 kg/ha of nitrogen. Small grains can also receive supplemental nitrogen from crop rotation patterns that include perennial legumes like alfalfa and clover.

Rotation In organic farming systems wheat is grown in rotation with pasture or legume phases. Wheat can be grown directly after a pasture phase when soil fertility is maximised providing that adequate management of grass weeds has occurred. Grass weeds can compete vigorously with wheat and can be a source of disease and seed contamination. A break crop such as rape, followed by wheat, is useful to avoid potential disease problems in wheat after a pasture phase.

Soil management The basis of a successful organic grain crop is the fertility of the soil in which it is grown. Soil fertility is based on the physical, biological and chemical components of the soil environment. Physical soil fertility in an organic farming system can be promoted by: having an adequate supply of organic matter through green manuring and pasture phases, having good soil structure through minimizing cultivation, having moisture retention but also good drainage, having sufficient gas exchange around the root zone, warmth and moisture at the appropriate time.

Biological fertility refers to the diversity and activity of soil organisms. Soil organisms play a fundamental role in recycling nutrients for plant growth. The soil environment that is most beneficial for these organisms to operate has: plenty of oxygen (needed for aerobic microbes), a neutral pH, organic matter that contains sufficient levels of nitrogen. Chemical fertility refers to the level of available nutrients required for plant growth. Wheat has a requirement for phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium.

In organic farming systems the supply of nitrogen for plant growth comes primarily from the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen via the legume/rhizobia symbiosis. This can occur during a pasture phase, or by growing a legume based green manure crop that is returned to the soil. Subterranean clover and lucerne provide the highest additions of nitrogen to the soil.

Subterranean clover pasture can provide nitrogen for wheat production

Potassium is also essential for crop growth and is linked to both phosphorus and nitrogen supply. Potassium deficiency can be a problem on lighter textured soils but is not considered a widespread problem in cropping systems. It is important to monitor soil health regularly through appropriate testing to understand nutrient supply, biological and physical health.

Native phosphorus and potassium fertility may be enhanced using animal manures and conserved through good management of cover crops and crop residues. Native phosphorus and potassium fertility may be enhanced using animal manures and conserved through good management of cover crops and crop residues. Rock phosphate can serve as an alternative or supplementary phosphorus source when necessary. Application rates for rock phosphate usually range from 25 to 100 Kg/ha, in autumn, on plowing. Rock phosphate can serve as an alternative or supplementary phosphorus source when necessary. Application rates for rock phosphate usually range from 25 to 100 Kg/ha, in autumn, on plowing. Different sources of rock phosphate have different qualities in terms of their ability to release phosphorus to plants. To fully realize the benefit of rock phosphate, the soil pH should be slightly to moderately acid. Different sources of rock phosphate have different qualities in terms of their ability to release phosphorus to plants. To fully realize the benefit of rock phosphate, the soil pH should be slightly to moderately acid. Alternative potassium sources include S-K-Mg and untreated potassium sulfate. Alternative potassium sources include S-K-Mg and untreated potassium sulfate. In generaly, farmers not use the potassium fertilizers. In generaly, farmers not use the potassium fertilizers.