IMPACTS OF ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL FARMING PRACTICES ON SELECTED AGRO

291 Pages·2013·5.37 MB·English

IMPACTS OF ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL FARMING
PRACTICES ON SELECTED AGRO-ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN
BAHOUR REGION, PUDUCHERRY

Thesis submitted to
Pondicherry University for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
by
PADMAVATHY.A

Dr. G. POYYAMOLI
Research Supervisor

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PUDUCHERRY – 605 014
DECEMBER, 2012
Dr. G. POYYAMOLI
Associate Professor and Research Supervisor
Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Pondicherry University
Puducherry -605 014.
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the thesis entitled “IMPACTS OF ORGANIC AND
CONVENTIONAL FARMING PRACTICES ON SELECTED AGRO-
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN BAHOUR REGION, PUDUCHERRY” is based on
the original work carried out by Mrs. A. Padmavathy in Department of Ecology and
Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry from August 2008 to
December 2012, that the research work has not formed previously the basis of award of
any degree, diploma, fellowship or other similar titles or prizes and it represents entirely
an independent work on the part of the candidate.

Place : Puducherry
Date : 12-12-12 Dr. G. POYYAMOLI
Countersigned

Head of the Department Dean
Department of Ecology and School of Life sciences
Environmental Sciences
Pondicherry University
Puducherry-605014
Mrs. A.Padmavathy
Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Pondicherry University
Puducherry – 605 014

DECLARATION OF THE CANDIDATE

I, A. Padmavathy, hereby declare that the thesis entitled “IMPACTS OF
ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL FARMING PRACTICES ON SELECTED
AGRO-ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN BAHOUR REGION, PUDUCHERRY”
submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology and
Environmental Sciences is my original work and has not previously formed the basis for
the award of any degree, diploma, associate ship, fellowship on any other similar titles.

Place : Puducherry
Date : 12-12-12

(Mrs. A.Padmavathy)
Table of Contents
Chapter I Introduction .................................................................................................................1
1.1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1
1.1.1 Background for the research ...............................................................................................1
1.1.2 Justification for the research ...............................................................................................2
1.1.3 Current status of global population and agriculture ............................................................3
1.1.4 Green revolution agriculture (GRA)/Conventional agriculture ..........................................5
1.1.4.1 Conventional agriculture – A global overview .......................................................5
1.1.4.2 Conventional agriculture in India ..........................................................................6
1.1.5 Organic agriculture .............................................................................................................7
1.1.5.1 Organic agriculture – A global overview................................................................7
1.1.5.2 Organic agriculture in India ...................................................................................9
1.1.6 Agro-Ecosystem services ..................................................................................................12
1.2. Rationale .................................................................................................................................14
1.3. Objectives ...............................................................................................................................15
1.4. Research design ......................................................................................................................16
1.5. Description of the study area ..................................................................................................16
1.5.1 Geographic location ..........................................................................................................16
1.5.2 Climate ..............................................................................................................................16
1.5.3 Selection of commune ......................................................................................................17
1.5.4 Selection of villages ..........................................................................................................18
1.6. Selection of respondents .........................................................................................................19
1.6.1 Crop selection ..................................................................................................................21
1.6.2 Irrigation .........................................................................................................................21
1.7. Fertilizer/manure application in GRA/Organic fields.............................................................21
1.7.1 GRA fertilizer application................................................................................................22
(a) Paddy ..........................................................................................................................23
(b) Lady’s finger ..............................................................................................................23
(c) Groundnut ..................................................................................................................23
(d) Insecticides .................................................................................................................23
1.7.2 Organic fertilizers application .........................................................................................23
(a) Preparation of Panchagavya (Organic liquid fertilizer) .............................................24
(b) Preparation of Amirtha karaisal (microbial culture) .................................................24
(c) Preparation of Meein amilam (organic Urea) ............................................................26
(d) Preparation of Pulithamor theyingaipal karaisal (flower stimulating solution) .........26
(e) Preparation of Vanamutham (EMO-Effective micro organisms) .............................26
(f) Bio-pesticides /Bio-insecticides application ............................................................26
(f (i) Pests/insects threshold level ..................................................................................27
1.8. Outline of the thesis ................................................................................................................27
Chapter II Review of literature .................................................................................................29
2.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................29
2.1.1 Origin of agriculture .......................................................................................................29
2.1.2 Green revolution agriculture ...........................................................................................30
2.1.3 Evolution of alternative farming strategies .....................................................................31
2.1.3.1 Scope of alternative farming practices ................................................................31
2.1.3.2 Organic agriculture ............................................................................................32
2.1.4 Agro-Ecosystem services ................................................................................................33
2.1.4.1 Supporting services .............................................................................................35
2.1.4.2 Regulating services ............................................................................................36
2.1.4.3 Provisioning services ..........................................................................................36
2.1.4.4 Non-marketed services .......................................................................................36
2.1.5 Agro-ecosystem Dis-services..........................................................................................36
2.2 Reasons for adoption and non-adoption of organic farming ..................................................59
2.3 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................63
Chapter III Supporting services -Soil quality/fertility ...........................................................64
3.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................65
3.2. Methods...................................................................................................................................67
3.2.1 Soil quality analyses ........................................................................................................69
(a) Physical parameters ....................................................................................................69
(b) Chemical parameters ..................................................................................................69
(c) Biological parameters ................................................................................................69
3.2.2 Statistical analyses ............................................................................................................70
3.3. Results and Discussion ...........................................................................................................70
3.3.1 Physical parameters .........................................................................................................70
3.3.2 Chemical parameters .......................................................................................................74
3.3.3 Biological parameters .....................................................................................................76
3.4. Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................78
Chapter IV Regulating services- Food and Habitat for beneficial insects/arthropods ........79
4.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................80
4.2. Methods...................................................................................................................................82
4.2.1 Arthropods .......................................................................................................................82
4.2.2 Statistical analyses ...........................................................................................................84
4.3. Results and Discussion ...........................................................................................................84
4.3.1 Effects of Habitat and Hedgerows on Arthropods composition .....................................85
4.3.2 Richness and abundance of arthropods ...........................................................................87
4.3.3 Effect of plant diversity and richness on arthropods ......................................................95
4.4. Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................99
Chapter V Provisioning services ..............................................................................................100
5.1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................101
5.2. Methods.................................................................................................................................103
5.2.1 Sampling and data collection ........................................................................................103
5.2.2 Statistical analyses .........................................................................................................104
5.2.2.1 Species Diversity Index ...................................................................................104
5.2.2.2 Simpson's Index (D) ..........................................................................................104
5.2.2.3 Cost of Production and Gross margin ..............................................................104
5.3. Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................105
5.3.1 Food ...............................................................................................................................105
5.3.1.1 Cost benefit analysis .........................................................................................113
5.3.2 Fodder ...........................................................................................................................116
5.3.3 Fuel ...............................................................................................................................116
5.3.4 Timber ............................................................................................................................117
5.3.5 Medicine .......................................................................................................................117
5.3.6 Ornamental ....................................................................................................................118
5.4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................120
Chapter VI Non-marketed services-Wildlife Habitats ...........................................................121
6.1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................122
6.2. Methods.................................................................................................................................124
6.2.1 Flora and Fauna.............................................................................................................124
6.2.2 Statistical analyses ........................................................................................................127
6.3. Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................127
6.4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................142
Chapter VII Agro-Ecosystem Dis-services-Death of Non targeted arthropods ...................143
7.1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................144
7.2. Methods.................................................................................................................................145
7.2.1 Arthropods ....................................................................................................................145
7.2.2 Statistical analyses ........................................................................................................146
7.3. Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................146
7.4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................156
Chapter VIII Reasons for adoption and non adoption of organic farming .........................157
8.1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................158
8.1.1 Profile characteristics of respondents ...........................................................................159
8.2. Methods.................................................................................................................................160
8.2.1 Operationalisation and measurement of independent variables ...................................162
(a) Age ..........................................................................................................................162
(b) Educational status ....................................................................................................162
(c) Occupational status .................................................................................................162
(d) Farm size ................................................................................................................162
(e) Farming experience and experience in organic farming ........................................162
(f) Annual income ........................................................................................................162
(g) Livestock possession ..............................................................................................163
(h) Social participation .................................................................................................163
(i) Information seeking behavior .................................................................................163
(j) Innovativeness .........................................................................................................163
(k) Economic motivation .............................................................................................163
(l) Scientific orientation ...............................................................................................164
(m) Risk orientation ......................................................................................................164
(n) Training undergone ................................................................................................164
(o) Market perception ..................................................................................................164
8.2.2 Dependant variables .....................................................................................................164
8.2.2.1 Adoption level of organic farming practices ...................................................164
8.2.2.2 Causes for adoption of organic farming practices ...........................................165
8.2.2.3 Causes for non - adoption of organic farming practices ..................................165
8.2.3 Statistical analyses ........................................................................................................166
8.2.3.1 Percentage analysis ...........................................................................................166
8.2.3.2 Cumulative frequency .......................................................................................166
8.3. Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................167
8.3.1 Independent variables ..................................................................................................167
(a) Age ...............................................................................................................................167
(b) Educational status ........................................................................................................169
(c) Occupational status ......................................................................................................169
(d) Farm size .....................................................................................................................169
(e) Farming experience ....................................................................................................170
(e (i) Experience in organic farming .................................................................................170
(f) Annual income .............................................................................................................170
(g) Livestock possession ...................................................................................................171
(h) Social participation ......................................................................................................171
(i) Information seeking behavior ......................................................................................172
(j) Innovativeness ..............................................................................................................172
(k) Economic motivation ..................................................................................................173
(l) Scientific orientation ....................................................................................................173
(m) Risk orientation ...........................................................................................................173
(n) Training undergone .....................................................................................................174
(o) Market perception .......................................................................................................174
8.3.2 Dependant variables ......................................................................................................174
8.3.2.1 Over all adoption level of organic farming practices ............................................174
8.3.2.1.1. Practice wise adoption level of organic farming practices ....................175
(i) Energy conservation ................................................................................176
(ii) Water management .................................................................................176
(iii) Soil fertility management ......................................................................176
(iv) Soil health management .........................................................................180
(v) Biodiversity management .......................................................................181
(vi) Pest and disease management ................................................................181
(vii) Weed management ...............................................................................182
8.3.2.2 Causes/reasons for adopting organic farming ........................................................182
8.3.2.3 Specific reasons/causes for non - adoption of organic farming .......................184
(i) Physical ...................................................................................................184
(ii) Extension activity ....................................................................................186
(iii) Communication ......................................................................................186
(iv) Personal ..................................................................................................187
(v) Economic oriented ..................................................................................187
(vi) Technology .............................................................................................187
(vii) Market .................................................................................................188
8.4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................188
Summary .....................................................................................................................................190
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................195
Limitations ..................................................................................................................................196
Recommendations and Future perspectives ............................................................................197
References ...................................................................................................................................199
Appendix I ..................................................................................................................................247
Appendix II .................................................................................................................................256
Publications ................................................................................................................................259
List of Tables
Table 1.1 Fertilizer/Manures/Insecticides/Bio-pesticides application in organic and
conventional fields. ...........................................................................................22
Table 2.1 Detailed reviews on supporting services. ..........................................................37
Table 2.2 Detailed reviews on regulating services ............................................................42
Table 2.3 Detailed reviews on provisioning services ........................................................50
Table 2.4 Detailed reviews on non marketed services ......................................................52
Table 2.5 Detailed reviews on agro-ecosystem dis services .............................................55
Table 3.1 Enumeration and comparison of physical, chemical, biological parameters
between organic and conventional agricultural fields. ...................................71
Table 4.1 Mantel Correlation test results between total arthropods composition and farm
types and total, beneficial or phytophagous family composition and plant
species composition ........................................................................................85
Table 4.2 Stepwise multiple linear regressions showing the influence of farm types
(organic and conventional), habitat types (crop field and woody hedgerows),
length of hedgerows and shannon diversity indices and years on richness and
abundance of beneficial and phytophagous arthropod families sampled using
visual observation and pitfall trap methods. The coefficient of determination
(r2) for each regression analysis is presented. ................................................88
Table 4.3 CCA results for visual observation and pitfall trap method using arthropod
abundance data of families that were observed more than once. P values of
Student’s t-tests are presented for significance differences between scores of
farm types .......................................................................................................97