An investigation on the level of organic matter, pH and salinity of soils from organically managed and conventionally managed fields

Abstract

Organic Agriculture prides itself in being a production system that sustains and promotes the soil health, ecosystems and people. Supported by inter-connected ethical principles based on health, ecology, fairness and care, its purpose is to have a holistic approach to improve the ecology of the area it is operating in. To achieve this it has a strict ruling and regulating authority for certification. This study aims to investigate the effects organic cultivation has on soil properties in particular soil organic matter, pH and salinity, and to compare it to conventionally managed soils. Soil samples from the topsoil and from the subsoil were taken from five certified organic sites and 5 conventionally managed sites. The soils were analysed and compared. A statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant statistical difference in organic matter, pH and salinity between organic and conventional sites tested.