ifoam'96 Book of Abstracts 11th IFOAM Scientific Conference 11-15 August 1996, Copenhagen, Denmark

ECOWEB FRONT PAGE SUBJECT INDEX AUTHOR INDEX

Posters

Organic Cotton in Greece and Egypt. P1; 79

1) Center for Agricultural Landscape and Land Use Research (ZALF), Department of Landscape Development, Eberswalder Str. 84, D-15374 Müncheberg; 2) Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Cropproduction, Iera Odos 75, GR-11855 Athens

Investigations on cultivation methods, yield and yield structure and the quality of cotton grown an 5 representative bio-dynamic farms on different sites in Egypt were performed. Scientists, advisors and farmers were questioned about their experiences with green cotton. Parallel experimental field trials comparing conventional and organic cropping methods with different irrigation systems and manuring strategies were realized on 2 sites in Greece.
Introducing the cultivation methods in both countries will be demonstrated. Emphasis will be given on the comparison between the high tech cropping system in Greece with single kernel drilling, drop irrigation and full mechanized cultivation and on the other hand the traditional cropping in Egypt with mainly manual work including the possibility of mixed cropping with onions and cotton. As well the specific plant protection system which was developed in Egypt, will be described.
Yield structure with the components plants/m2, balls/plant, weight/plantand yields of seeds and fibres are figured out. E.g. yields in Greeceranged from 24-40 dt/ha, in Greece from 26-34 dt/ha. In Greece, a comparison between organic and mineral fertilizers revealed the significance of the reproduction of soil organic matter by composted stable manure, especially for irrigated soils. The interrelationship between the yield and pest damages as well as weed competition and plant height are presented. Results from sites in both countries will be compared to analyze the main influences in organic cotton as there are soil and climatical conditions, cropping systems and manuring strategies. Different parameters of the fibre quality were tested and will complete the data background.
Concluding development strategies for organic cotton cropping systems as element of landscape development in semi-arid regions will be demonstrated. Obviously, considerable gaps of knowledge still exist in the field of landscape research concerning effects of spreading organic farmingsystems. Finally these gaps and consequently research priorities have to be discussed in detail.