Microbial Diversity and Soil Quality of Coffee Plantation Soil under Organic and Chemical Farming Practicess

Abstract:

Organic farming is an agricultural production system that minimizes or completely excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemical inputs. Instead, it depends on ecological processes such as crop rotation, application of animal and green manures, and biological methods of pest management to maintain soil fertility, ensure adequate plant nutrition, and control insects, weeds, and other pests. Studies evaluating the long-term environmental impacts of organic and conventional farming systems have largely concentrated on indicators of soil quality and sustainability. In India, coffee is one of the most significant plantation crops and serves as a major source of foreign exchange, particularly in Kodagu District. In recent years, the production and consumption of organic coffee have gained considerable importance in international markets, with global organic coffee consumption accounting for approximately 4% of total coffee consumption. While conventional agriculture primarily relies on synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and other technological inputs to enhance crop production, organic agriculture seeks to optimize the use of naturally available resources and ecological processes for sustainable farming. Depending on the present farming trends, a comparative study of the soil properties and microbial diversity in the soil of coffee plantation of Kodagu District under organic and chemical farming practice was carried out.