Themes and discussion
Find out more about organic arable farming and organic livestock husbandry, join the discussions, and exchange ideas and information with colleagues and scientists.
Cropping systems
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.
Recommended toolWeed harrowing in spring cereals
This tool provides strategies for weed management in spring cereals. The purpose of the tools is to provide some background information on spring…
Most popular toolHow to successfully convert to organic arable farming
The leaflet addresses farmers who are interested in conversion to organic arable farming. Information includes contact points for workshops and…
Latest toolCultivation of soybeans
The on-farm cultivation of soybeans presents the farmer with challenges. Climate and location requirements, the preceding crop and crop rotation play…
Tools
| Title | Issuing organisation | Project | Year of release | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A farmer’s guide to organic fruit and vegetable production | Organic Centre Wales | OK-Net Arable | 2008 | 3.5 (2) |
| Advanced system in wheat: Combination of agronomical levels: The French... | PURE | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Calculate the risk of wireworm infestation in the field | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 2 (1) |
| Catch crop in maize | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4 (1) |
| Cereal Disease Encyclopaedia | Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board... | OK-Net Arable , Other organizations | 2008 | |
| Challenges of Organic Arable Farming 1st module: Strategies to enhance soil... | Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari CIHEAM... | OK-Net Arable , IAMB Mediterranean Agronomic Institute Bari | 2017 | |
| Challenges of Organic Arable Farming 2nd module: Fertilization strategies to... | Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari CIHEAM... | OK-Net Arable , IAMB Mediterranean Agronomic Institute Bari | 2017 | |
| Challenges of Organic Arable Farming 4th module: Technical tools, strategies... | Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari CIHEAM... | OK-Net Arable , IAMB Mediterranean Agronomic Institute Bari | 2017 | |
| Challenges of Organic Arable Farming 5th module: Crops specific problems and... | Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari CIHEAM... | OK-Net Arable , IAMB Mediterranean Agronomic Institute Bari | 2017 | |
| Choosing cover crops for arable crop rotations | French Research Institute for Organic Farming ITAB | OK-Net Arable , ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture... , IFOAM EU Group | 2018 | |
| Commercial organic fertiliser as supplementary fertilisers in potato crop... | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4 (1) |
| Control of wireworms in organic potato cultivation | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2016 | 3 (3) |
| Controlled traffic farming: A new track for soil and weed control in organic... | INAGRO | OK-Net Arable , IFOAM EU Group | 2018 | |
| Controlling potato beetles with Bt | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4 (1) |
| Cover crop and living mulch toolbox | Technical University of Munich TUM, School of Life... | Selected tools , Universität München - TUM , OK-Net Arable , OSCAR | 2014 | 3.4 (10) |
| Cover crop mulches and no-till soybean | Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica AIAB | OK-Net Arable , AIAB | 2017 | |
| Crop management of linseed | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2016 | 2 (1) |
| Crop Management of Rapeseed and Pollen Beetle Control | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2016 | 4 (1) |
| Crop rotation and its ability to suppress perennial weeds | SEGES | SEGES , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4.5 (2) |
| Crop rotation and its ability to suppress perennial weeds | SEGES | SEGES , OK-Net Arable | 2016 | 3 (1) |
| Crop Rotation in Organic Systems | Dalhousie University, Organic Agriculture Centre... | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Crop rotations on diversified farms | Southern Regional Extension Forestry | OK-Net Arable , Other organizations | 2013 | |
| Cultivating a diverse wheat population suitable for low-input and organic... | Organic Research Centre ORC, Elm Farm | OK-Net Arable , Organic Research Centre (ORC) - Elm Farm | 2017 | |
| Cultivation in rows – Catch crops - tolerance and regrowth | Aarhus University , Copenhagen University , AgroIntelli , Økologisk VKST , Barritskov Land- og Skovbrug , SEGES Økologi Innovation | OK-Net Arable | 2018 | |
| Cultivation in rows – cereals with catch crops | SEGES Økologi Innovation , Aarhus University , Copenhagen University , AgroIntelli , Økologisk VKST , Barritskov Land- og Skovbrug | OK-Net Arable | 2018 | |
| Cultivation in rows – Nitrogen fixation by catch crops and their effect on yield | SEGES Økologi Innovation , Aarhus University , Copenhagen University , AgroIntelli , Økologisk VKST , Barritskov Land- og Skovbrug | OK-Net Arable | 2018 | |
| Cultivation in rows – Sowing time for catch crops | Aarhus University , Copenhagen University , AgroIntelli , Økologisk VKST , Barritskov Land- og Skovbrug , SEGES Økologi Innovation | OK-Net Arable | 2018 | |
| Cultivation in rows – Weed control between stubble rows | Aarhus University , Copenhagen University , AgroIntelli , Økologisk VKST , Barritskov Land- og Skovbrug , SEGES Økologi Innovation | OK-Net Arable | 2018 | |
| Cultivation in rows – Weed control in spring cereal grains | Aarhus University , Copenhagen University , AgroIntelli , Økologisk VKST , Barritskov Land- og Skovbrug , SEGES Økologi Innovation | OK-Net Arable | 2018 | |
| Cultivation of faba beans | Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Gartenbau... | OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , Landesanstalt Landwirtschaft | 2014 | |
| Cultivation of soybeans | Regierungspräsidium Freiburg | OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , Other organizations | 2018 | |
| Demonstration of Hoeing Machines in Arable Farming | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2011 | |
| Demonstration of Plough Dethatchers | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2014 | 4.5 (2) |
| Direct drilling of winter cereals | Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica AIAB | OK-Net Arable , IFOAM EU Group , AIAB | 2018 | |
| Direct Sowing of Maize | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2015 | |
| Direct sowing with green manure | Foundation for organic agriculture Bioselena , IFOAM EU | Bioselena , OK-Net Arable , IFOAM EU Group | 2018 | |
| Diverse fertility building leys in arable rotations | Organic Reserach Centre ORC, Elm Farm | OK-Net Arable , Organic Research Centre (ORC) - Elm Farm | 2017 | 3.5 (2) |
| DSS "Weed Control in Organic Winter Wheat Production" | University Bonn, Institute of Organic Agriculture | Institute of Organic Agriculture , OK-Net Arable | 2004 | |
| ECOPHYTOPIC – The portal for integrated crop protection of arable crops | Les Instituts Techniques Agricoles ACTA | OK-Net Arable , ACTA - Association de Coordination Technique... | - | 3.3 (3) |
| Efficient use of nitrogen from livestock manure | SEGES | SEGES , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4 (2) |
| Feeding pigs silage | Innovative Farmers | OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , Other organizations , Soil Association | 2016 | |
| Feedstuffs for organic pigs | Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e... | OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , CREA | 2012 | |
| Foraging of pigs in outdoor areas (OK-Net Ecofeed Practice Abstract) | Aarhus University | OK-Net EcoFeed , OK-Net Ecofeed Tools , Department of Agroecology | 2020 | |
| Foraging sows on high-protein grassland | French Research Institute for Organic Farming ITAB | OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture... | 2018 | |
| Fulfilling 100 % organic poultry diets: roughage and foraging from the range | Organic Research Centre ORC, Elm Farm | ICOPP , OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , Organic Research Centre (ORC) - Elm Farm | 2015 | |
| Grain legumes and soil fertility - Strategies for a successful cultivation | Federal Agency for Nature Conservation BfN | OK-Net Arable | 2014 | 3.5 (2) |
| Grass protein - a golden chance to improve organic farming | SEGES | OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , SEGES | 2018 | |
| Green manure and cover crops in organic agriculture: general introduction | French Research Institute for Organic Farming ITAB | OK-Net Arable , ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture... | 2012 | |
| Green manure and cover crops in organic agriculture: guide to the choice of the... | French Research Institute for Organic Farming ITAB | OK-Net Arable , ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture... | 2012 | 4 (3) |
| Growing cover crops in organic arable crop rotations: Best practices from... | SEGES | SEGES , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4 (2) |
| Growing cover crops in organic arable crop rotations: best practices from... | SEGES | SEGES , OK-Net Arable | 2016 | |
| Hairy Vetch – an Excellent Green Manure for Dry Conditions | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2014 | 4 (2) |
| Highcrop picture tool | SEGES | SEGES , OK-Net Arable | 2013 | |
| How to successfully convert to organic arable farming | Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut Österreich LFI | FiBL Austria , OK-Net Arable , Weitere Organisationen | 2017 | 5 (2) |
| Incorporating Green Manures | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2013 | 4.5 (2) |
| Inter-row cultivation for mechanical weed control in winter oilseed rape | PURE | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Intercropping grain peas with barley | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Soil Sciences , Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2015 | |
| Knowledge exchange platform for agroecology | SOLAGRO | OK-Net Arable | - | 3.2 (6) |
| LeNiBa - the KTBL / isip app for nitrogen balancing of legumes | Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der... | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Ley Destruction with Shallow Ploughing or Cultivators | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2016 | |
| Mechanical Weed Control in Maize | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2013 | |
| Mechanical weeding in arable crops | French Research Institute for Organic Farming ITAB | OK-Net Arable , ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture... | 2012 | 4.6 (9) |
| Modification/change of sowing date in winter wheat | PURE | OK-Net Arable | 2015 | |
| Monitoring and comparing cover crop performances | French Research Institute for Organic Farming ITAB | OK-Net Arable , ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture... , IFOAM EU Group | 2018 | |
| NDICEA - Nitrogen Planer – version 6.2 | Louis Bolk Institute | Louis Bolk Institute , OK-Net Arable , Organic Research Centre (ORC) - Elm Farm | 2014 | 4 (4) |
| Nitrogen budget calculator. A tool to calculate N-budgets in organic forage... | Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung... | Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research - ZALF | 2013 | 3.8 (4) |
| Nitrogen supply for winter oilseed rape | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4 (1) |
| No-till cultivation of maize in rolled forage peas | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | |
| Nutrient supply | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | OK-Net Arable , FiBL - Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau... | 2011 | 2 (1) |
| Oekolandbau.de: portal for organic plant production | Federal Office for Agriculture and Food BLE, Bonn | Selected tools , Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food - BLE , OK-Net Arable | 2015 | 3 (10) |
| Oregon Tilth 2017 WEBINAR SERIES | Oregon Tilth | OK-Net Arable | 2017 | |
| Organic Cereals | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | OK-Net Arable , FiBL - Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau... | 2010 | 4 (2) |
| Organic Cover Cropping and Intercropping | Washington State University - Puyallup | OK-Net Arable | 2011 | |
| Organic cultivation in autumn 2016 - Varieties, Seeds and Crop management | Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut Österreich LFI | FiBL Austria , OK-Net Arable , Weitere Organisationen | 2016 | |
| Organic Cultivation in Spring 2016 - Varieties, Seeds and Crop management | Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut Österreich LFI | FiBL Austria , OK-Net Arable , Weitere Organisationen | 2016 | |
| Organic Cultivation of Green Peas | Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut Österreich LFI | FiBL Austria , OK-Net Arable , Weitere Organisationen | 2016 | |
| Organic farming Guidelines for pest and disease control and weed management in... | Uprawy ekologiczne | OK-Net Arable | - | 4 (3) |
| Organic field beans | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2009 | |
| Organic Field Crop Production | Dalhousie University, Organic Agriculture Centre... | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Organic field peas | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2009 | |
| Organic grain legumes at a glance | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2009 | |
| Organic maize | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2008 | |
| Organic quality wheat production - Results of long-term field trials of... | Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut Österreich LFI | FiBL Austria , OK-Net Arable , Weitere Organisationen | 2016 | |
| Organic rapeseed | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2011 | |
| Organic Small Grain Production | Southern Regional Extension Forestry | OK-Net Arable | 2011 | |
| Organic soya | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2009 | |
| Organic Soybean made easy | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | FiBL Austria , OK-Net Arable | 2018 | |
| Organic Soybean production in Europe | Hungarian Research Institute of Organic... | OK-Net Arable , FiBL - Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau... , Ökológiai Mezőgazdasági Kutatóintézet | 2016 | |
| Organic Weed Management: A Practical Guide | Charles Merfield | OK-Net Arable | 2000 | |
| Pest and Disease Control in Grass and Forage Crops | Farming Connect | OK-Net Arable | 2013 | |
| Pest Management in Organic Cropping Systems | Dalhousie University, Organic Agriculture Centre... | Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada/Centre... , OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Plant breeding with farmers. A technical manual | International Center for Agricultural Research in... | OK-Net Arable | 2012 | |
| Planting an outdoor area for organic laying hens | Økologisk Landsforening | OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , Weitere Organisationen | 2015 | |
| Potato Crop Management | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2010 | |
| Poultry feeding in organic farming | French Research Institute for Organic Farming ITAB | OK-Net EcoFeed , Selected tools , ITAB - Institut Technique en Agriculture... | 2015 | |
| Practical advice for organic production of lupines | Landesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft und... | OK-Net Arable | 2014 | 4 (4) |
| Practice Abstract: Intercropping grain peas with barley | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4.3 (3) |
| Processing Quality of Organic Wheat | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2015 | |
| Rape pollen beetle | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | OK-Net Arable , Pflanzenschutz und Biodiversität , Other organizations | 2014 | 4.5 (2) |
| Reduced Tillage Systems - Practical Recommendation | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2014 | 3.7 (3) |
| Regionally adapted humus balance in organic farming | Sächsische Landesanstalt für Umwelt,... | AK Versuchsansteller Ökologischer Landbau , Landesamt für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie , OK-Net Arable | 2013 | 3.7 (3) |
| Results an lessons learnt from field vegetables activity - cabbage | PURE | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Results and lessons learnt from wheat-based cropping system activity | PURE | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Rolling of grains to prevent winter kill damage | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | |
| ROTOR: organic crop rotation planner | Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research... | OK-Net Arable | 2007 | 4.6 (11) |
| Satellite based and camera-controlled steering systems | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2015 | 2 (1) |
| SmartSOIL Tool | Aarhus University | Department of Agroecology , OK-Net Arable | 2015 | 2 (3) |
| Soil and Fertility Management in Organic Systems | Dalhousie University, Organic Agriculture Centre... | Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada/Centre... , OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Soil protection and Crop Rotation | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Soil Sciences , Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2007 | |
| SOILapp | School of Advanced Studies Sant'Anna, Institute of... , Scuola Esperienziale Itinerante di Agricoltura... , The Greek Network for Biodiversity and Ecology in... | OK-Net Arable , Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa | 2018 | |
| Sort Out Your Soil: A practical guide to green manures | Cotswold Seeds Ltd , Garden Organic | OK-Net Arable , Garden Organic (HDRA) | - | 4 (5) |
| Soybean silage | Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica AIAB | OK-Net Arable , IFOAM EU Group , AIAB | 2018 | |
| Successful cultivation of grain legumes mixed with cereals | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Bioselena , Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | |
| Testing peas for legume fatigue | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 5 (1) |
| The Muencheberg Soil Quality Rating (SQR) | Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research... | OK-Net Arable | 2007 | 4 (4) |
| The use of legumes - Nature-compatible cultivation practices | Federal Agency for Nature Conservation BfN | Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) , FiBL Deutschland - Forschungsinstitut für... , OK-Net Arable , Department of Organic Farming and Cropping | 2014 | |
| Transition to organic production | Dalhousie University, Organic Agriculture Centre... | Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada/Centre... , OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Use of variety mixtures to reduce disease, increase resource-use efficiency... | PURE | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Using crop rotation to control wireworms | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Communication , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4 (1) |
| Weed Control in Grass and Forage Crops | IBERS Grassland Development Centre | OK-Net Arable , Institute for Biological, Environmental and Rural... | 2013 | |
| Weed control in organic farming through mechanical solutions | University of Kassel, Agricultural Engineering | OK-Net Arable , University of Kassel | 2011 | 3.5 (4) |
| Weed control in soy with the finger weeder | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | |
| Weed harrowing in spring cereals | PURE | OK-Net Arable | - | |
| Weed trimming in soybeans | Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica AIAB | OK-Net Arable , IFOAM EU Group , AIAB | 2017 | |
| Winter field peas as green manure before maize | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL | Advisory Service , OK-Net Arable | 2017 | 4.5 (2) |
Discussion forum
Here you can discuss your problems and solutions for this theme