Integrated Soil and Crop Management in Organic Agriculture: A Logical Framework to Ensure Food Quality and Human Health?

Abstract

The environmental and biodiversity benefits of organic farming are widely recognized, but there is still controversy about the effects of organic production methods on the nutritional composition of food and human health. In the first part of this article therefore, we critically review the evidence that organic farming methods improve the nutritional quality of food crops. Moreover, we summarize our current understanding of how quality gains are linked to the implementation of the “innovations” introduced into conventional crop production during the intensification or “green revolution” of agriculture over the last 100 years. In the second part of the article, we critically review the evidence for the range of health benefits related to organic food consumption. Specifically, we describe and discuss the results from: (i) dietary intervention studies which have found that organic food consumption substantially reduces pesticide exposure in humans and affects feed intake, growth, hormone balances and immune system responsiveness in animal models; (ii) human cohort/epidemiological studies which have reported significant positive associations between organic food consumption and the lower incidence of a range of diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, hypospadias, pre-eclampsia, eczema and middle ear infections in infants; (iii) interactions and trade-offs between diet (e.g., whole-grain, fruit and vegetables and reduced red-meat consumption) and food types (organic versus conventional) concerning public health and future food security. The article also identifies knowledge gaps and highlights the need for (i) long-term, factorial field experiments to understand the relative effects of agronomic and pedoclimatic drivers on crop quality and safety, and (ii) clinical trials and additional human cohort studies to confirm the positive health outcomes linked to organic food consumption. The main conclusions from our review are that there is growing evidence that (i) agricultural intensification has resulted in a reduction in the nutritional quality of food and the sustainability of food production, and (ii) organic farming practices not only improve food quality and human health, but also food security. This is particularly true where current nutritional guidelines (increasing whole-grain, fruit and vegetable products, while reducing red-meat consumption) are implemented.

Organic Farming Provides a Blueprint to Improve Food Quality, Safety and Security

“…With regard to crop health and nutritional quality, Rempelos et al [9] conclude that "there is now substantial evidence that the use of:…”

“…In this context, the aim of the review article by Rempelos et al [9] in the Special Issue of Agronomy on "Integrated Soil, Crop and Human Nutrition and Health Management in organic Agriculture" was to critically evaluate evidence from:…”

“…However, it is important to point out that data from long-term, factorial field experiments that quantified the relative impact of agronomic practices and variety choice on crop health and nutritional composition are only available for a limited number of crops and pedoclimatic environments [9]. In addition, Rempelos et al [9] describe that recent retail surveys of wheat, flour and table grapes suggest that variety choice/genetics, post-harvest storage and processing, and supply chain parameters can have a larger effect on the nutritional composition of crops than agronomic parameters such as fertilization and crop protection regimes.…”

“…Observational studies linked organic food consumption to health benefits Rempelos et al [9] summarize results from human cohort studies which suggest that there may be significant positive health outcomes from organic food consumption. Specifically, they review studies reporting positive associations between organic food consumption and reduced incidence of pre-eclampsia (a leading cause of maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality for which inflammation and obesity are risk factors), eczema in infants, congenital disorders (hypospadias), middle ear infections, cancer, obesity/overweight and metabolic syndrome.…”

“…Rempelos et al [9] also reviewed circumstantial evidence from observational and animal and human dietary intervention studies which indicates that (1) lower pesticide exposure and higher antioxidant intake may be the main drivers for health benefits from organic food consumption, and (2) that health impacts may be linked to effects on endocrine and immune system parameters. Most importantly,…”