WHOLE-FARM NUTRIENT BALANCE ON INTEGRATED AND ORGANIC VEGETABLE FARMS – A STEP TOWARD SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN SWITZERLAND

In order to promote sustainable farming, the Swiss government implemented direct payments for integrated and organic farms.
Farmers have to follow specific guidelines concerning nutrient application, crop rotation, soil-cover over winter, pesticide application and an ecological buffer zone to maintain or enhance biodiversity.

For vegetable farms the guidelines for nutrient application are most stringent: a nutrient balance for the whole farm has to be calculated each year taking into account the total nutrient import into the farm and the nutrient requirements of all crops cultivated.
The nutrient balance has to be in equilibrium for nitrogen and phosphorous.

Results from Swiss vegetable farms calculated according to two different methods are discussed.

XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 3: Culture Techniques with Special Emphasis on Environmental Implications, Disease, Pest Control and Integrated Pest Strategies

C. Gysi, B. Schwaninger

Nutrient balance, whole farm concept, integrated and organic farming, crop residues, fertiliser recommendations for vegetables

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.513.20