The Organic Center

Il benessere degli animali è diventato sempre più importante per il pubblico in generale, ed i consumatori sono curiosi di sapere quali tipi di gestione offrono il miglior benessere degli animali per i prodotti di loro origine, come i latticini, che acquistano. Ci sono stati sino ad oggi pochi studi completi che hanno confrontato molti parametri di benessere contemporaneamente, in un ciclo annuale, confrontando anche il biologico con il convenzionale.

Control of plant diseases is often accomplished with the use of harsh chemical sprays and soil fumigants in conventional farming systems, but a new study in PLOS ONE (it can be downloaded HERE) found that organic farming can improve crop health and provide the right kind of soil environment that reduces pathogen presence.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas that is often overshadowed by the focus on Carbon Dioxide (CO2), but increasing concentrations of nitrous oxide over the past two centuries have also contributed significantly to climate change and ozone depletion. A recent study published in the journal Nature  (LINK) offers new methods to measure global sources and sinks of nitrous oxide, which include the often underestimated human causes of nitrous oxide emissions.

To achieve more sustainable farming that reduces negative impacts on human and environmental health as well as climate change, our food system needs to reduce its reliance on chemicals for managing pests. A recent study published in the journal Insects has found that fine mesh row covers are an effective alternative strategy to chemicals that can manage flea beetles in mizuna and arugula, two mustard greens growing in culinary popularity.