What is the gap between organic planting and traditional planting?

The yield of organic planting is about a quarter lower than that of traditional planting.

The yield of organic cultivation is relatively lower than that of traditional cultivation. Because of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the pests and diseases of traditional planting are well controlled, but the disadvantage is pesticide residues, and the control of organic pests and diseases is relatively difficult.

However, the yield of organic cultivation varies greatly. Some organic cultivated land is much lower than traditional farming methods, while others are quite close to traditional agriculture.

The variety of crops grown organically is very important. The output of organic fruits and oilseeds is only 3% to 1 1% lower than that of traditional agriculture, while the output of organic vegetables and grains is 26% to 33% lower than that of similar crops.

Soil conditions are also an important factor. It is found that the yield of organic cultivated land will be close to that of traditional cultivation in the soil with neutral pH value (pH value is between 5.5 and 8.0), but outside this range, the advantage of traditional agriculture in yield is more obvious. One possible explanation is that in strong acid or alkali soil, crops are more dependent on phosphorus in chemical fertilizers, and it is difficult for organic production methods to provide enough phosphorus for these crops. In organic planting, some bio-pesticides or bio-fertilizers that have no side effects on crops can be used as auxiliary or improved to some extent.

In addition, the performance of organic agriculture in developed and developing countries is also very different. In developed countries, the output of organic agriculture is 20% lower than that of traditional agriculture, while in developing countries, the output of organic agriculture is 43% lower. In addition, organic agriculture also depends on specific farming management measures, and nutrition supplement and pest management are very important.

Nitrogen fertilizer is probably the limiting factor of organic production mode.