Effect of bio-dynamic, organic and conventional management scenarios on wheat production under Egyptian conditions: an agronomic and economic study : tesi di master
Recently, Egypt is supporting sustainable production systems in the agricultural sector particularly for strategic crops like wheat. A field experiment of three management scenarios, i.e., biodynamic, organic and conventional, was conducted to compare their effect on wheat production in terms of soil fertility, productivity, grain quality and profitability. This study is part of a long-term trial started in 2015 at Sekem, Egypt. Results showed over time significantly higher levels of soil fertility indicators under biodynamic and organic scenarios compared to the conventional one as a result of higher organic matter, bulk density, cation exchange capacity, total and available nutrients, respiration, microorganism population and lower pH and electrical conductivity. Although the yield was significantly higher by 9.5-9.
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9% in the conventional scenario, grain quality under biodynamic and organic scenarios was significantly higher in terms of size (first class category), total antioxidant capacity, energy and protein contents with lower moisture content. There were no stable significant differences over time between biodynamic and organic scenarios for soil fertility indicator. However, energy and protein contents were significantly higher in the biodynamic scenario. Furthermore, wheat production in the biodynamic scenario was the most profitable followed by organic and conventional scenarios. Finally, the application of biodynamic and organic practices provides significant agronomic and economic benefits for wheat production.
