The Science Beneath Organic Production

David Atkinson , Christine A. Watson 지음

Wiley-Blackwell 2019년 05월 03일 출간

작품소개

책소개

A groundbreaking book that addresses the science that underpins organic agriculture and horticulture and its impact upon the management of organic systems With contributions from noted experts in the field, Organic Agriculture explores the cultural context of food production and examines the historical aspects, economic implications, and key scientific elements that underpin organic crop production. The book shows how a science-based approach to organic farming is grounded in history and elements of the social sciences as well as the more traditional areas of physics, chemistry and biology. Organic Agriculture offers a detailed explanation of the differences between organic systems and other approaches, answering questions about crop production and protection, crop rotations, soil health, biodiversity and the use of genetic resources. The authors identify current gaps in our understanding of the topic and discuss how organic farming research may be better accomplished in the future. This important book: Explores the science that underpins organic farming Contains illustrative case studies from around the world Examines organic agriculture’s philosophical roots and its socio-economic context Written for scientists and students of agriculture and horticulture, this book covers the issues linked to the use of science by organic producers and identifies key elements in the production of food.

목차

List of Contributors xi Preface xiii 1 Science and Organic Agriculture: An Introduction 1 David Atkinson and Christine A. Watson 1.1 What is the Role of this Volume? 1 1.2 What is Organic Agriculture? 2 1.3 So What is Distinctive About its Science Base? 5 1.4 The Ecological Roots of Organic Production 6 1.5 Key Elements in the Science Context of Organic Agriculture 8 1.6 Some Areas of Different Science 10 1.7 Production Systems Compared 13 1.8 A Science Base for All Production 15 1.9 The Changing Context of Farming 18 References 21 2 Science, Research and Organic Farming 25Lawrence Woodward 2.1 Introduction 25 2.2 The Roots of the Approach 25 2.2.1 Is it a philosophical or political movement and cannot therefore be scientific? 26 2.2.2 Does it lack coherence except as a marketing exercise? 27 2.2.3 Is it inherently unscientific because it is based on concepts that are not explicable in rational scientific terms? 28 2.3 Agricultural Science: Some Reflections 30 2.4 Conclusion 32 References 32 3 Framing and Farming: Putting Organics in a Societal Context 33Pete Ritchie 3.1 Introduction 33 3.2 The Origin of Organics 34 3.3 The Argument from Economics: Is More Better? 35 3.4 The Argument from the Environment: Externalities Matter 37 3.5 The Argument from Ethics: There’s Something Wrong with the System 37 3.5.1 What is the Place of Humans in Nature? 38 3.5.2 What is Farming For, and What Makes for Good Farming? 40 3.5.3 How can the way we produce food promote social justice? 41 3.6 Aligning Organics with Social Justice 42 3.7 Conclusion 43 References 43 Further Reading 43 4 Soil Health and Its Management for Organic Farming 45Elizabeth A. Stockdale, Ton

작가정보

저자(글) David Atkinson

ABOUT THE EDITORS DAVID ATKINSON was formerly Vice Principal at the Scottish Agricultural College and Chair of Falkland Rural Enterprises, an organic farming company. He continues to study the ethical implications of emerging biotechnologies. CHRISTINE A. WATSON leads soil science research at SRUC. She has extensive experience of research in organic farming and is involved in managing and teaching SRUC's postgraduate course in Organic Farming.

저자(글) Christine A. Watson