Crop Rotations on Finnish Organic Farms

In principle, organic crop rotations must be designed to maintain and improve soil fertility. This is achieved by regularly cultivating leguminous plants and other plants that support soil productivity. Organic farms are required to follow certain minimum standards concerning the proportion of legumes and other soil-fertility-enhancing crops during the crop rotation as well as restriction on cultivating the same plant species or plant genus in consecutive years. In addition to the management of soil fertility, crop rotation plays an important role in the management of weeds and plant pests on organic farms.

International studies have shown that the transition to organic farming diversifies crop choices and increases the cultivation of forage grasses and legumes. Although Finnish organic farms generally follow the principle of diversified crop rotations, we currently lack research-based knowledge on this topic.

The objective of this study is to increase understanding of the crop rotations, established practices, and factors that influence the planning and implementation of crop rotations in Finnish organic farms.