The yield gap that normally exists between organic and conventional production practices is caused by different crop-specific factors. The main yield-limiting factor in cereals and tubers is nutrient availability; nitrogen deficiency particularly leads to yield reductions. Weeds and diseases can cause major yield losses in legumes, and attacks of insect pests on oil crops may limit yield significantly. Each crop group shows variations in susceptibility to the different yield-limiting factors. Choice of crop variety and crop species, mixing varieties or species, and the design of a crop rotation will all have a major impact on crop yield and quality.

On this page, you can find tools and resources that can help you improve the cultivation of specific crops, and you can discuss various crop-specific topics with others.