How Does Organic Farming Prevent Soil Erosion

Many agricultural practices both organic and traditional can themselves contribute to soil erosion. Organic farming reduces soil erosion when compared to conventional farming systems as a consequence of higher soil surface cover and SOM content under organic farming.

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Organic farming reduced soil loss for radish due to higher weed coverage but increased erosion for potato due to lower crop yield.

How does organic farming prevent soil erosion. Plants prevent wind and water erosion by covering the soil and binding the soil with their roots. However the benefits towards soil erosion and the conservation potential of organic farming systems in terms of herbicide application and weed growth have not been investigated. Organic matter is lost from the soil by oxidation during tillage and cultivation operations.

Because of this farmers are being encouraged to amend their processes to prevent soil erosion conserving the ground so that it can continue to produce healthy crop yields and support animal life. Healthy soil resists erosion well especially if it is protected by plants above ground and roots below-ground year-round which is one of the reasons why cover crops are so important. A reduction of tillage intensity in organic farming further reduces soil erosion.

Organic farming due to the absence of herbicides can support the development of weeds and increase the ground cover compared to conventional farming. Erosion occurs when soil is displaced by wind or waterwashed off farms and deposited in ditches and streams or blown across the landscape as dust. These results demonstrate that the absence of agricultural chemicals especially herbicides in organic farming systems can reduce soil erosion for row crops due to the development of weeds in the furrows.

The best choice of plants to prevent soil erosion are herbs wild flowers and small trees. Ways to Prevent Soil Erosion 1. Farmers plant trees and grass to cover and bind the soil.

Planting Vegetation as ground cover. Erosion may be prevented by adopting cropping systems which either prevent the loss of organic matter or return organic inputs back into the soil. By planting grass in areas of concentrated water flow farmers can prevent much of the soil erosion that results from runoff as the grass stabilizes the soil while still providing an outlet for drainage.

The USDA also reports that planting cover crops using mulches and using crop residues as soil cover can prevent soil erosion.

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