PROBLEMS AND PERSPECTIVES IN ORGANIC CULTIVATION OF CEREALS – OVERVIEW

Abstract

In this study, an overview is made and a comparative analysis of articles, reports and materials dealing with organic farming of LWC, in the period 1970 to 2021 is performed. After analysing the literature, the following conclusions are made: Cereals occupy a particularly important place in organic farming, the main advantages of their cultivation are easy farming techniques, relatively easy mechanical weed control, disease control through rational crop rotation, opportunities for biological control of major pests. The soils in organic farming are better structured than those in conventional agriculture. Organic farming practices are related to improving soil properties, including the addition of organic matter to the soil, increasing the population of earthworms, biodiversity, soil fertility and more. Biological management provides a more stable soil structure. The larger pores observed in biological management have a beneficial effect on the physical properties of the soil, such as water flow and water capacity. The greater porosity of the soil provides a good habitat for soil microorganisms. Organic farming contributes to creating a better soil structure. Organic farming systems have traditionally been based on crop rotation. The aim of organic farming is to achieve a balance between crops that reduce soil fertility and crops that restore fertility. Crop rotation is the main tool that integrates the maintenance and development of soil fertility with various aspects of plant production in biological systems. Specialised selection programmes for creating varieties suitable for organic farming are too few due to the small number of users and high costs. The most common practise includes testing the suitability of conventional varieties in biological conditions, propagation and distribution of the best in the biological sector. Sowing norms directly control the sowing density, as well as the nutrient area of each plant. Changing sowing rates is also an excellent method for controlling weeding in biological fields. Concerning yields from organic and conventional agriculture, organic farms are less productive than conventional ones and their productivity is lower. But if environmental variables are taken into account, organic farms show the same or higher efficiency. A major problem facing organic farming in the future is the protection of fields from pollution by genetically modified organisms. An option for protecting biological fields is to maintain a buffer zone between the farm and the neighbouring conventional fields to prevent accidental contamination with GMOs.