The influence of a shift from conventional to organic olive farming on soil management and erosion risk in southern Spain

Jessica Milgroom, María Auxiliadora Soriano, José M. Garrido, José A. Gómez, Elías Fereres

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Natural resource conservation should be fundamental to organic agriculture, including the prevention of soil erosion. Soil erosion in the olive orchards of southern Spain is recognized as a serious problem causing environmental, economic and social repercussions, both on and off-site. This study describes the changes in soil management practices that accompanied a shift from conventional to organic olive farming and the corresponding effect of those management practices on erosion risk in the province of Córdoba, Andalusia. Interviews with 107 farmers were carried out in two different geographic areas to assess the socio-economic factors influencing farm management decision-making, and on-farm erosion risk evaluations and soil data (organic matter, aggregate stability, infiltration and vegetative ground cover) were taken on 25 farms to assess the effects of those decisions on soil erosion risk. Results from this study show that the shift to organic farming in olive orchards in the province of Córdoba has been accompanied by increased protection of the soil and lowered erosion risk. The most important changes in soil management practices associated with the transition from conventional to organic agriculture were the reduction in tillage and the increase in management systems that incorporate a vegetative cover controlled either by grazing livestock or mowing. However, the shift to organic farming has had more impact in the south of the province than in the north where farm management systems have historically led to less erosion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalRenewable Agriculture and Food Systems
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Erosion
  • Organic farming
  • Socio-economic influences
  • Soil management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Agronomy and Crop Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The influence of a shift from conventional to organic olive farming on soil management and erosion risk in southern Spain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this