The Effect on Soil Health Indicators By Organic Grain Cropping Systems.

In 2001, a field size site was established in Northwest Ohio with 3 certified organic grain cropping systems compared to 2 conventional systems. Each treatment has utilized different soil improvement strategies to provide crop nutrients and improve soil quality. Active carbon at 6-12 inch soil depths was significantly lower in conventional compared to organic cropping. All systems showed a significant increase in total organic matter after 15 years. The low input organic system, which only utilized cover crops for nutrients, showed over 10 ppm less soil phosphorus. Organic clover cover crop Solvita CO2 respiration analysis had 50 ppm soil carbon increase compared to no cover crop conventional. Soil compaction was detected below 20 centimeter depth in organic tillage treatments compared to conventional notill. In conclusion, tillage along with soil amendments in the organic systems can maintain soil health compared to conventional cropping systems.