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QOrganic farmingWhy is organic grain often lower in protein and what can I do?
Expert answer
In short: Nitrogen is limited — a legume preceding crop, organic fertilisation, a suitable variety and a clean field help.
In organic production, available soluble nitrogen is limited, and organic fertilisers mineralise slowly depending on soil temperature. So protein is often lower, and yield is lower than conventional, though the gap depends strongly on variety and conditions.
- A legume as preceding crop — lucerne, pea, chickpea or vetch; after pea, wheat protein is higher than after maize.
- Organic fertilisation — farmyard manure or compost (2–3 t/daa) and green manure with vetch and oats.
- A suitable variety — about 95% of varieties used in organic farming were bred for conventional systems. Varieties tested in the region, such as wheat "Rada" and barley "Ahat", are a safe choice.
- A weed-free field — weeds take the nitrogen the grain needs.
Example five-year rotation: lucerne (2 years) → wheat "Rada" → sunflower or chickpea → vetch with oats for green manure.
Material: Training Module 2, section 6.3; Training Module 1, sections 7.3 and 7.5; appendices to Brochure 1.