Abstract
Background and aims: Organic inputs have a positive effect on the soil organic matter balance. They are therefore an important asset for soil fertility and crop growth. This study quantifies the additional yield effect due to organic inputs for arable crops in Europe when macro-nutrients are not a limiting factor. Methods: A meta-analysis was performed using data from 20 long-term experiments in Europe. Maxima of yield response curves to nitrogen were compared, with and without organic inputs, under abundant P and K supply. Results: We were surprised to find that, across all experiments, the mean additional yield effect of organic inputs was not significant (+ 1.4 % ± 1.6 (95 % confidence interval)). In specific cases however, especially for root and tuber crops, spring sown cereals, or for very sandy soils or wet climates, organic inputs did increase attainable yields. A significant correlation was found between increase in attainable yields and increase in soil organic matter content. Conclusions: Aggregating data from 20 long-term experiments in Europe, this study shows that organic inputs and/or soil organic matter do not necessarily increase yields, given sufficient nutrients are supplied by mineral fertilisers. Results show the relevance of some environmental factors for additional yield effect of organic inputs, but no simple relation between organic inputs and crop growth.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 293-303 |
| Journal | Plant and Soil |
| Volume | 411 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |
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Keywords
- Crop yield
- Food security
- Organic inputs
- Soil carbon sequestration
- Soil fertility
- Soil organic matter
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Do organic inputs matter – a meta-analysis of additional yield effects for arable crops in Europe. / Hijbeek, R.; van Ittersum, M.K.; Ten Berge, H.F.M.; Gort, G.; Spiegel, H.; Whitmore, A.P.
In: Plant and Soil, Vol. 411, No. 1, 2017, p. 293-303.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Do organic inputs matter – a meta-analysis of additional yield effects for arable crops in Europe
AU - Hijbeek, R.
AU - van Ittersum, M.K.
AU - Ten Berge, H.F.M.
AU - Gort, G.
AU - Spiegel, H.
AU - Whitmore, A.P.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Background and aims: Organic inputs have a positive effect on the soil organic matter balance. They are therefore an important asset for soil fertility and crop growth. This study quantifies the additional yield effect due to organic inputs for arable crops in Europe when macro-nutrients are not a limiting factor. Methods: A meta-analysis was performed using data from 20 long-term experiments in Europe. Maxima of yield response curves to nitrogen were compared, with and without organic inputs, under abundant P and K supply. Results: We were surprised to find that, across all experiments, the mean additional yield effect of organic inputs was not significant (+ 1.4 % ± 1.6 (95 % confidence interval)). In specific cases however, especially for root and tuber crops, spring sown cereals, or for very sandy soils or wet climates, organic inputs did increase attainable yields. A significant correlation was found between increase in attainable yields and increase in soil organic matter content. Conclusions: Aggregating data from 20 long-term experiments in Europe, this study shows that organic inputs and/or soil organic matter do not necessarily increase yields, given sufficient nutrients are supplied by mineral fertilisers. Results show the relevance of some environmental factors for additional yield effect of organic inputs, but no simple relation between organic inputs and crop growth.
AB - Background and aims: Organic inputs have a positive effect on the soil organic matter balance. They are therefore an important asset for soil fertility and crop growth. This study quantifies the additional yield effect due to organic inputs for arable crops in Europe when macro-nutrients are not a limiting factor. Methods: A meta-analysis was performed using data from 20 long-term experiments in Europe. Maxima of yield response curves to nitrogen were compared, with and without organic inputs, under abundant P and K supply. Results: We were surprised to find that, across all experiments, the mean additional yield effect of organic inputs was not significant (+ 1.4 % ± 1.6 (95 % confidence interval)). In specific cases however, especially for root and tuber crops, spring sown cereals, or for very sandy soils or wet climates, organic inputs did increase attainable yields. A significant correlation was found between increase in attainable yields and increase in soil organic matter content. Conclusions: Aggregating data from 20 long-term experiments in Europe, this study shows that organic inputs and/or soil organic matter do not necessarily increase yields, given sufficient nutrients are supplied by mineral fertilisers. Results show the relevance of some environmental factors for additional yield effect of organic inputs, but no simple relation between organic inputs and crop growth.
KW - Crop yield
KW - Food security
KW - Organic inputs
KW - Soil carbon sequestration
KW - Soil fertility
KW - Soil organic matter
U2 - 10.1007/s11104-016-3031-x
DO - 10.1007/s11104-016-3031-x
M3 - Article
VL - 411
SP - 293
EP - 303
JO - Plant and Soil
JF - Plant and Soil
SN - 0032-079X
IS - 1
ER -