Organic spelt production systems: Productive and financial performance in three orographic regions

Abstract

A two-year field trial was conducted to study the effects of biohumus, biofertiliser, and soil conditioner application on spelt grain yield in different regions (plain, hilly, and mountainous regions) in Serbia. An analysis of economic efficiency indicators of spelt production in organic farming systems was also performed. The field experiment had a randomised complete block design with three replicates in each of the three regions. One winter spelt cultivar was also studied. The largest differences in spelt yield compared to control were found in the plain region in the biohumus + biofertiliser treatment (28.0%) and the hilly region in the organic fertiliser + zeolite treatment (28.8%). The differences in grain yield between control and treatment conditions in the mountain region were insignificant. Analysis of the economic effects of organic spelt production found a significantly lower gross margin in treatments with expensive organic fertilisers (3955.05 and 1104.75 € ha–1) than the control (5094.31 and 1833.85 € ha–1), leading to the conclusion that their application was not economically justified despite the increases in grain yield. The highest production costs (3569.71 € ha–1) were observed in treatments in the hilly region, resulting in the lowest benefit-cost ratio (0.1), while the greatest benefit-cost ratio was recorded in treatments in the mountainous region (2.1). Following the economic analysis results, a significant negative correlation between the benefit-cost ratio and the total production costs (r= –0.91**) was determined and a positive correlation between the gross margin and grain yield (r=0.66*). These results lead to the conclusion that the management strategy of spelt production in organic farming systems should be harmonised with the soil and agro-ecological characteristics of the region and directed at decreasing the costs and share of external inputs. In this case, organic spelt production can be economically profitable. Highlights - Organic fertilisers and soil conditioners affect spelt grain yield. - The analysis of the economic effects of organic spelt production concluded that fertiliser application was not economically justified despite the increases in grain yield. - Treatments in the plain region displayed the best production results compared to mountain region treatments, but these did not have the best benefit-cost ratio. - Knowledge of production costs is an important element in improving the economic efficiency of organic farming systems.

Compositional Traits of Grains and Groats of Barley, Oat and Spelt Grown at Organic and Conventional Fields

“…Although organic spelt already occupies a niche market in North America and Europe [15], there are still many opportunities for organic or small-scale farms to offer minimally processed spelt products, such as whole grains and groats. Dolijanović et al [11] reported significant differences in organic spelt production between different regions, i.e., lowland, hilly, and mountainous. Significantly higher protein contents were reported for spelt than for common wheat, but there were no differences between conventional and organic farming systems [1].…”

“…Spelt (Triticum spelta L.) is an ancient hulled wheat that has attracted new interest in recent years because it is a low-input crop suitable for pesticide-free cultivation in organic farming systems [10]. The disadvantages of spelt cultivation are its high susceptibility to lodging, because the plants are much taller compared with wheat, and the additional step of hulling the grains after harvest [11]. Spelt grains are covered by tough glumes, which protect the grains from external influences, but cause difficulties in harvesting and processing.…”

Sustainability Strategy for Organic Paddy Farming Business toward Global Market: Network Process Analysis Approach

“…Government, non-government organizations (NGOs), and farmer groups conduct counseling, training, demonstration plots, and field schools to promote organic farming knowledge. The awareness to move to organic is a result of farmers' desire to attain healthy products, maintain rich soil, and minimize expenditure on fertilizers and pesticides [43] owing to lower government subsidies. With RMS values of 5.02 and 4.79, respectively, the leverage analysis disclosed that the experience of organic paddy farming and the availability of organic paddy farming infrastructure were sensitive variables for enhancing the social sustainability status.…”

“…In addition, the conversion area has been limited to planting with traditional land, resulting in relatively high water pollution and inorganic inputs. The water supply is sourced from the same irrigation water, causing relatively high chemical contamination [43,46].…”

Influence of Hulling, Cleaning and Brushing/Polishing of (Pseudo)Cereal Grains on Compositional Characteristics

“…Spelt ( Triticum spelta L.) is an ancient hulled wheat that has attracted new interest in recent years because it is a low-input crop suitable for pesticide-free cultivation in organic farming [ 17 ]. The disadvantage of spelt cultivation is the lodging of the plants and the need to hull the grains after harvest [ 18 ]. Spelt grains are covered with a strong chaff, which protects them from external harmful influences but makes harvesting and processing difficult.…”