‘The impact on soil properties of the different farming methods used in organic and non-organic farming’

Abstract

This dissertation is on ‘The impact on soil properties of the different farming methods
used in organic and non-organic farming’. Using two farms within Shropshire of a
mile apart, one being of organic pastoral farming and the other non-organic pastoral
farming, site descriptions and laboratory testing were recorded. Site descriptions
included grid reference; elevation; local geology; local relief; vegetation and landuse;
slope angle and aspect; slope form; total depth of the profile; depth of horizon;
boundary; texture; structure; moisture/consistency; roots (type, frequency of
occurrence); stones (frequency of occurrence, size, shape and type); amount of
organic matter; fauna; and any other comments about the horizons. Once samples of
soil were obtained, laboratory experiments were then carried out including moisture
content; organic matter content; soil pH; determination of carbonate content;
exchangeable base contents (Ca, Mg, K, Na); nitrogen. Reasons for this dissertation
have been discussed along with information on soil and farming methods, in
particular organic farming. This has led onto aims and objectives to the dissertation.
The methodology section shows how the laboratory experiments are carried out and
safely. Results have shown slight differences between the two farms, showing there is
not much impact on soil properties, regardless whether the field is under organic or
non-organic farming methods. However, there were limitations of this dissertation and
future research could be carried out. The main limitation to this dissertation is that
more soil samples could have been collected to give a more accurate result