Organic agriculture is the oldest form of farming on Earth in which no chemical fertilizers, pesticides, hormones and genetic manipulation are used to produce healthy products. In fact, organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that strengthens and expands biodiversity, biological cycles, and biological activities of the soil. The system is based on the harmony with the natural system at all stages of plant growth with the minimum utilization of off-farm inputs as well as management measures to restore maintenance and strengthen the ecological balance. Plant materials from all kinds are organic products when they have been grown in soils where no synthetic fertilizers and pesticides such as herbicides, fungicides and chemicals have been used. The proper use of natural fertilizers such as plant compost and performing cropping and environmentally friendly methods to control plant pests and diseases lead to beneficial changes in plant biology and physiology.
Organic agriculture aims to lead to healthy foods. Precise implementation of organic agricultural system leads to another concept called sustainable agriculture that may provide food security along with increasing quantity and quality while considering the needs of future generations. To reach this goal, it is urgent to progress into a highly productive and environmentally friendly agricultural sector, which consider a rational use of biological products and the creation of safe and high-quality food products. One of the most important aspects for obtaining quality food is the rational use of crop protection products. Getting plant products free from pesticide residues is possible using biological plant protection methods. The inclusion of biological control means of species harmful to plants in the integrated protection of agricultural crops makes it possible to conduct an "environmentally friendly" agricultural economy and significantly reduces the risks of accumulation of xenobiotics in food.
Crop losses, and, accordingly, economic damage from the complex of pests are about 30-40%, while insect pests make up a significant share in the complex, many of which are polyphagous and cause significant damage to the crop production industry. The market share is increasing and will continue to increase as more growers become familiar with biopreparations to control pests but also because these have been shown to stimulate plant growth and increase the host’s resistance to biotic and abiotic stress.
This article collection focuses on the promotion of integrated approaches to the organic agriculture and production of organic products for generating healthy foods. It aims at attracting high-quality basic and applied primary research, data notes and reviews, providing insights into the latest findings and challenges on the organic agriculture system, natural fertilizers impacting the biology and physiology of plants. Potential topics include (but are not limited to):
- plant physiology in organic agriculture
- biological plant protection including biopesticides and entomophages, biofertilizers, technologies of organic production, grow promotion biotechnology.
Disclosure Statement:
Dr. Arash Zibaee and Dr. Ivan Dubovskiy have no conflict of interest.
