Legumes in crop rotation of Slovenian organic farms

Abstract

 Analysis of legumes, included in the crop rotation of Slovenian organic farms was based on the questionnaire, sent to the farmers on 30 organic farms in the end of 2002 and 2004 and on the study of crop rotation composition on three organic farms in Gorenjska region in the period from 2001 to 2004. The results of the study showed that most farmers were well acquainted with the importance of legumes in keeping and improving the soil fertility, although they still have not put enough attention to the inclusion of the legumes into the crop rotation due to lack of knowledge on different types of legumes and field production technologies and due to unawareness of the grain and herbage usage in human consumption and animal nutrition. With the study of four-year crop rotation composition on three organic farms it was ascertained that the share of root crops in the crop rotation on farm A was 48 %, on farm B 57 % and on farm C 41 %. These figures exceeded the suitable 25 % share of root crops in Norfolk's crop rotation. On the contrary, the share of cereals in crop rotation was much lower than the most suitable one of 50 % - on farm C 34 %, on farm A 29 % and on farm B only 18 %. Among legume crops, included in the crop rotation, there was only the clover mixed with grass (farm A 23 %, farm B 25 %, farm C 41 %). It has been shown that, especially in farms A and B, the share of legumes in the crop rotation was significantly lower than the recommended one (25 % of the land measured as the single crop). In our proposal for the improved crop rotation a bigger share of cereals and smaller share of root crops was anticipated as well as the changes in the legumes’ structure, directing the clover sowing in unmixed crops and grain legumes for animal nutrition in pure crops (pea, soya) and/or in mixed crops. Organic farmers should also consider the spread of grain legumes for human consumption from garden beds level to the fields.