Lower water with organic farming

Study finds going organic helps water retention

Wednesday, 20/04/2011

A long-term United States study comparing different land practices has brought good results for organic farming.

For 20 years, the Rodale Institute's Farming Systems Trial has compared organic and conventional methods of growing corn and soybeans.

Recent analysis revealed organic farming produced 30 per cent more corn during droughts.

Dr Andrew Monk, from the Biological Farmers of Australia, says this was due to better water retention.

"Water retention was quite significantly different and better in organic systems, the reason being that the whole complex structure of good soil managed in organic systems will actually hold more water and that gives it both a resilience to both dry and wet conditions."

The Australian Farm Institute says while the research is very sound, it may not be replicable in local conditions.