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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213918
Title: Organic farming enhances soil carbon and its benefits

Author
item HEPPERLY, PAUL - RODALE INSTITUTE
item SEIDEL, RITA - RODALE INSTITUTE
item PIMENTEL, DAVID - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item HANSON, JAMES - UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
item Douds, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2007
Publication Date: 7/23/2007
Citation: Hepperly, P., Seidel, R., Pimentel, D., Hanson, J., Douds, D.D. 2007. Organic farming enhances soil carbon and its benefits. Soil Carbon Management, Economic, Environmental and Societal Benefits, Kimble, Rice, Read, Mooney, Follet, and Lal (Eds.) CRC Press. p.129-153.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Increasing soil carbon through systematic agricultural practices provides an array of societal and farmer/producer benefits. Organic methods have been utilized for over 6000 years to conserve soil, water, energy, and biological resources. Many of the benefits of organic technologies identified in long term studies are related to improvements in soil carbon and increased biological activity of the soil. The benefits of increased soil carbon include conservation of soil and water resources during drought years and conservation of nitrogen during wet years, leading to stabilizing yields of corn and soybeans. In addition, the increased soil carbon levels of organic farming can contribute to carbon sequestration and reduction in greenhouse gasses.