The Washington State University study, reported in April 19th issue of the science journal Nature, compared the economic and environmental sustainability of conventional, organic and integrated growing systems. The organic system was more energy efficient, it was better for the environment, it had better soil quality, its yields were as good as the other systems, it was more profitable and its apples were slightly sweeter and firmer. The bottom line is that organic outperforms the others when you talk about sustainability. Choices of fertilizers and pesticides are the primary differences in the systems. Conventional crop systems employ synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Organic systems use composts, manures, and biological pest controls.
Weeds are controlled with cover crops, mulching and mechanical methods, including burning. Integrated systems, popular in Europe where growers receive subsidies for integrated fruit, blend elements of each of the other two. During the last decade, organic production gained new adherents in Washington, which produces nearly half of the nation's apples. The primary attraction has been a price premium that organic fruit has received at packing houses. The idea and the site for the study were suggested by Andy Dolph, a grower and consultant for Stemilt Growers, Inc., a fruit packing company, in Wenatchee.