Organic Farming Management Improves Soil Health and Crop Stress Resistance in Temperate Rainfed Agroecosystems

Abstract:

Conventional intensive farming has degraded soil health and reduced crop stress resistance, threatening the sustainability of temperate rainfed agroecosystems. This study compared the effects of organic farming management (including organic fertilization, crop rotation, and no-tillage) and conventional farming on soil physicochemical properties, soil microbial communities, and wheat stress resistance (drought and disease) across 50 temperate rainfed sites in five countries (Canada, Italy, China, USA, and Japan). Results indicated that organic management increased soil organic carbon by 28%, soil water-holding capacity by 22%, and soil microbial biomass carbon by 41% compared to conventional management. Organic farming also enhanced wheat drought resistance, with a 35% higher relative water content in wheat leaves under drought stress, and reduced disease incidence by 32%. Structural equation modeling showed that organic management indirectly improved wheat yield by 16% through enhancing soil health and crop stress resistance. These findings highlight the potential of organic farming to restore soil health and enhance the resilience of temperate rainfed agroecosystems.