Control of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is a challenge for organic as well as conventional egg producers. In organic agriculture, control should be attempted by mechanically acting substances (e.g. oils or diatomaceous earth), before acaricides are applied. Diatomaceous earth (DE) without acaricides was at least as effective as DE supplemented with pyrethrum or essential oils and a...

A pot experiment was conducted during Kharif season, 2005 to ascertain the response of different organic sources viz., wheat straw, farm yard manure (FYM), vermicompost and poultry manure to rice (Oryza sativa) and also to monitor the effect of manuring on soil carbon pools. Application of poultry manure and vermicompost alongwith chemical fertilizers for supply of nitrogen, phosphorus and pota...

This study examined the impact of fish farming on foraminiferal communities in the Adriatic coastal zone. Samples were taken directly beneath the farm, near the edge of the farm, and at a reference station away from the farm. The foraminiferal community near the farm is characterized by Epistominella exigua, Globocassidulina subglobosa, Haynesina germanica and the genera Elphidium, Bulimina and...

BACKGROUND Mushroom spores have frequently been associated with respiratory allergy. The aims of this study were to elucidate the incidence and causes of chronic cough in a mushroom farm. METHODS Participants were 69 mushroom workers who produce Hypsizigus marmoreus (Bunashimeji) and 35 control subjects. We excluded six workers because they had had asthma or allergic rhinitis before working. ...

Our paper seeks to assess the decision to adopt organic farming practices. More specifically, we use Duration Analysis (DA) to determine why farmers adopt organic farming and the timing of adoption. We extend previous studies by including farmers’ objectives, risk preferences and agricultural policies as covariates in the DA model. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used as a multi-crite...

Biodynamic farming practices show promise in mitigating some of the adverse effects of conventional agriculture on the environment. Biodynamic farming is like organic farming in that no synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used. Unlike organic farmers, biodynamic farmers add eight specific preparations (made from cow manure, silica, and various plants) to enhance soil quality and p...

Organic farmers have taken a lead in attempting to reduce dependence on pharmaceutical control of parasites in farmed livestock. Focussing on management and nutrition, the objective of this research is to further develop control strategies, which can support and increase the flexibility of clean grazing systems for sheep and cattle. The approach has been to combine on-farm epidemiological studi...

The paper analyzes the mode of organic soybean production supply chain and identifies the information needed to be recorded in each step of producing organic soybean through surveying the actual situation of organic soybean on the Red Star Farm combined with the mode of operation among enterprises, then it ensures integrity and consistency of information flow chain. At the same time, it establi...

The agricultural organic farming is different from conventional farming in a way that is aimed at providing a balanced and constructive action in agricultural systems. With the increase in intensive agriculture, undesirable changes were being observed in ecosystems with irreparable damage being caused to the natural equilibrium. This is the reason for the increasing interest in organic farming ...