Comparative economic and ecological analyses of lower chemical input fruit farms and other farming system

A case study on the comparative economic and ecological functioning of seven fruit farming systems, growing small fruits (strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) in Ohio, was conducted for two years (1992-1993). Three of the fruit farming systems were lower chemical input farming systems, two of which have been certified organic. The other fruit farming systems were conventional higher chemical input fruit farming systems, typically following recommendations set forth by The Ohio State University Extension and by the fruit growing industry.;Detailed economic analyses were conducted for each fruit farming system, including all purchased and on-farm inputs, labor, and related infrastructure, equipment, and overhead costs. This information was compared to outputs in terms of yields and gross sales. The organic fruit farming systems were economically competitive with the conventional fruit farming systems, with one organic strawberry farm having the highest net profit of all seven fruit farming systems.;Ecological analyses evaluated soil nutrient dynamics, including macro and micronutrients, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity, carbon:nitrogen ratios, plant uptake (through foliar analyses) of nutrients, and nutrient budgets. The organic fruit farming systems had higher organic matter content, overall nutrient levels and cation exchange capacities. They also had higher soil nutrient balances.;Ecological analyses of relative soil microbial activity levels were assessed by determining the potential for mineralization of organic matter (PMN) and soil dehydrogenase levels based on abiotic assays, using formazan as a substrate. The PMN were not as sensitive as the dehydrogenase assays for assessing relative soil microbial activity. The organic farming systems generally had higher levels of soil microbial activity.;Ecological analyses also included the assessment of relative levels of arthropod activity through a variety of collection techniques, including D-Vac suction of arthropods, sweep nets, sticky traps, pitfall traps and water traps. Soil nematode counts were also assessed for each fruit farming system. The organic farming systems had higher levels of arthropod activity and higher soil nematode counts. However, insect pest problems were most predominant in the conventional fruit farming systems. Sticky traps proved to be a very effective tool in assessing relative differences in arthropod activity between all of the fruit farming systems.