Seminar: Organic farming, old varieties and a yield gap

Darwin Hickman: DIVERSOW: Increasing crop genetic diversity to close the yield gap in organic wheat farming

Modern crop cultivars have been bred for conventional farming, and therefore depend on high inputs of fertilizers and pesticides. This means that these cultivars underperform under low input conditions, such as in organic farming. In comparison, landraces and heritage cultivars are local and older varieties with greater genetic diversity, which show a broader spectrum of characteristics and can adapt better to changing environmental conditions. Despite their adaptability, landraces have a lower yield potential than modern cultivars in most agricultural conditions. DIVERSOW is examining the effect of introduced and increasing diversity on crop performance and surrounding ecology, through growing of two crops simultaneously. The effect will be investigated holistically, connecting the above and belowground plant and environment to the yield quality and quantity. This will be done by combining modern, heritage, landrace cultivars of wheat, and legumes. The overall goal is to close the yield gap in organic farming.