Глобальный журнал биологии, сельского хозяйства и медицинских наук

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Review on the Effects of Organic Farming on Soil Fertility and Crop Production in Ethiopia

Yimam Mekonen*

The review summarizes the literature on the effect of organic farming on soil fertility and crop production. Most of investigators confirmed that organic farming application could improve the physical, chemical and biological characteristics, soil organic matter, and nutrient status of the soils. Organic farming is long term and sustainable way of improving soil fertility and crop productivity. Organic systems use a strategically different approach, which relies on longer-term solutions (preventative rather than reactive) at the systems level. In addition, due to its multiple positive effects on the physical, chemical and biological soil properties, contributes to the stabilization and increase of crop productivity and crop quality. Consequently, most investigators proved that organic farming has an equalizing effect of annual/seasonal fluctuations regarding water, air and heat balance of soils, the availability of plant nutrients and thus the final crop yields. Thus, for sustainable agricultural systems within small scale farming in developing countries like Ethiopia, organic farming can be a good option for developing effective plant nutrient management strategies in many situations.