Relative Effectiveness of Various Amendments in Improving Yield and Nutrient Uptake under Organic Crop Production

Abstract

Field experiments were established in 2008 on two certified organic farms in northeastern Saskatchewan to determine the feasibility of compost, alfalfa pellets, wood ash, rock phosphate, gypsum, Penicillium bilaiae and MykePro in improving crop yield and nutrient uptake. Compost and alfalfa pellets increased yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (2008), pea (2009) and barley (2010), with moderate increase in seed yield of barley from wood ash in 2010, but rock phosphate, Penicillium bilaiae, MykePro and gypsum had no effect on crop yield and nutrient uptake. In summary, the results suggest the potential of some amendments in improving yield of organic crops, most likely by preventing deficiencies of some nutrients.