Controlling other organisms Organic farming

chloroxylon used pest management in organic rice cultivation in chhattisgarh, india

organisms aside weeds cause problems on organic farms include arthropods (e.g., insects, mites), nematodes, fungi , bacteria. organic practices include, not limited to:

encouraging predatory beneficial insects control pests serving them nursery plants and/or alternative habitat, in form of shelterbelt, hedgerow, or beetle bank;
encouraging beneficial microorganisms;
rotating crops different locations year year interrupt pest reproduction cycles;
planting companion crops , pest-repelling plants discourage or divert pests;
using row covers protect crops during pest migration periods;
using biologic pesticides , herbicides;
using stale seed beds germinate , destroy weeds before planting;
using sanitation remove pest habitat;
using insect traps monitor , control insect populations; and
using physical barriers, such row covers.

examples of predatory beneficial insects include minute pirate bugs, big-eyed bugs, , lesser extent ladybugs (which tend fly away), of eat wide range of pests. lacewings effective, tend fly away. praying mantis tend move more , eat less heavily. parasitoid wasps tend effective selected prey, small insects can less effective outdoors because wind controls movement. predatory mites effective controlling other mites.

naturally derived insecticides allowed use on organic farms use include bacillus thuringiensis (a bacterial toxin), pyrethrum (a chrysanthemum extract), spinosad (a bacterial metabolite), neem (a tree extract) , rotenone (a legume root extract). fewer 10% of organic farmers use these pesticides regularly; 1 survey found 5.3% of vegetable growers in california use rotenone while 1.7% use pyrethrum. these pesticides not more safe or environmentally friendly synthetic pesticides , can cause harm. main criterion organic pesticides naturally derived, , naturally derived substances have been controversial. controversial natural pesticides include rotenone, copper, nicotine sulfate, , pyrethrums rotenone , pyrethrum particularly controversial because work attacking nervous system, conventional insecticides. rotenone extremely toxic fish , can induce symptoms resembling parkinson s disease in mammals. although pyrethrum (natural pyrethrins) more effective against insects when used piperonyl butoxide (which retards degradation of pyrethrins), organic standards not permit use of latter substance.

naturally derived fungicides allowed use on organic farms include bacteria bacillus subtilis , bacillus pumilus; , fungus trichoderma harzianum. these effective diseases affecting roots. compost tea contains mix of beneficial microbes, may attack or out-compete plant pathogens, variability among formulations , preparation methods may contribute inconsistent results or dangerous growth of toxic microbes in compost teas.

some naturally derived pesticides not allowed use on organic farms. these include nicotine sulfate, arsenic, , strychnine.

synthetic pesticides allowed use on organic farms include insecticidal soaps , horticultural oils insect management; , bordeaux mixture, copper hydroxide , sodium bicarbonate managing fungi. copper sulfate , bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate plus lime), approved organic use in various jurisdictions, can more environmentally problematic synthetic fungicides dissallowed in organic farming similar concerns apply copper hydroxide. repeated application of copper sulfate or copper hydroxide fungicide may result in copper accumulation toxic levels in soil, , admonitions avoid excessive accumulations of copper in soil appear in various organic standards , elsewhere. environmental concerns several kinds of biota arise @ average rates of use of such substances crops. in european union, replacement of copper-based fungicides in organic agriculture policy priority, research seeking alternatives organic production.