Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Organic Farming vs. Integrated Nutrient Management: A Comparative Review of Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability

Abhishek Kumar, Naval Chandel, Barkha

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science · pp. 460–473 · Published 10 May 2024

10.9734/ijpss/2024/v36i64648

Abstract

In an era where sustainable agriculture is crucial for global food security and environmental preservation, organic farming and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) have emerged as leading practices. This review paper offers a comprehensive comparison of these two approaches, focusing on their impact on agricultural productivity and sustainability. Organic farming, with its emphasis on reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, and feed additives, aligns closely with the principles of sustainability. It enhances food quality, promotes soil health, and mitigates adverse environmental effects by encouraging natural recovery cycles. However, organic farming's limitations, such as lower yields and a more labour-intensive approach have prompted interest in innovative solutions that blend organic practices with modern technologies. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) presents a compelling alternative. By combining organic, inorganic, and biological nutrient sources, INM seeks to optimize nutrient use efficiency and maintain soil health. This approach offers a flexible nutrient management strategy, balancing organic and inorganic inputs to maintain crop productivity while reducing environmental impact. Studies have shown that INM can improve soil properties, such as bulk density, porosity, and water-holding capacity, leading to enhanced crop yields and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The paper explores how INM's integrated approach not only stabilizes crop production but also supports the growth of soil microbes, providing a source of energy and organic carbon. By using a combination of specific microorganisms, organic matter, and minimal doses of inorganic fertilizers, INM can achieve a harmonious balance that reduces environmental pollution and ensures long-term soil fertility. Ultimately, this review underscores the potential of combining organic and INM practices to create a sustainable and productive agricultural system. Through a comparative analysis, the paper aims to guide researchers, policymakers, and farmers towards adopting strategies that foster agricultural sustainability without compromising productivity.

Bulk density porosity Organic farming productivity sustainability water-holding capacity

References (39)

  1. 1 Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century [DOI]
  2. 2 Nitrogen use efficiency—a key to enhance crop productivity under a changing climate [DOI]
  3. 3 Integrated nutrient management (INM) for sustaining crop productivity and reducing environmental impact: A review [DOI]
  4. 4 Integrated Nutrient Management for Food Security and Environmental Quality in China [DOI]
  5. 5 Can Organic Sources of Nutrients Increase Crop Yields to Meet Global Food Demand? [DOI]
  6. 6 Influence of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on soil health and soil microbiology [DOI]
  7. 7 Nitrous oxide fluxes from corn fields: on‐farm assessment of the amount and timing of nitrogen fertilizer [DOI]
  8. 8 Soil Biodiversity Integrates Solutions for a Sustainable Future [DOI]
  9. 9 Organic Manure Coupled with Inorganic Fertilizer: An Approach for the Sustainable Production of Rice by Improving Soil Properties and Nitrogen Use Efficiency [DOI]
  10. 10 Raising Crop Productivity in Africa through Intensification [DOI]
  11. 11 Tree pests and diseases: the threat to biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services [DOI]
  12. 12 Effect of integrated nutrient management practice on soil aggregate properties, its stability and aggregate-associated carbon content in an intensive rice–wheat system [DOI]
  13. 13 Integrated nutrient management for improving crop yields, soil properties, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions [DOI]
  14. 14 INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT, SOIL FERTILITY AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: CURRENT ISSUES AND FUTURE CHALLENGES [DOI]
  15. 15 Sustainability of organic food production: challenges and innovations [DOI]
  16. 16 Linking prawn and shrimp farming towards a green economy in Bangladesh: Confronting climate change [DOI]
  17. 17 Nutrients contamination and eutrophication in the river ecosystem [DOI]
  18. 18 Challenges and opportunities for agricultural sustainability in changing climate scenarios: a perspective on Indian agriculture [DOI]
  19. 19 Building Soil Health and Fertility through Organic Amendments and Practices: A Review [DOI]
  20. 20 Restoration of Degraded Soil for Sustainable Agriculture [DOI]
  21. 21 Climate Resilient Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture [DOI]
  22. 22 Opportunities and challenges for integrated smallholder farming systems to improve soil nutrient management in Southeast Asia [DOI]
  23. 23 Correlation and Path Analysis for Yield and its Phenological, Physiological, Morphological and Biochemical Traits under Salinity Stress in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) [DOI]
  24. 24 GENOMIC APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.): A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW [DOI]
  25. 25 Productivity of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.) SFM-1 under Varied Sowing Dates and Nitrogen Levels [DOI]
  26. 26 Nitrous oxide emission from a sandy loam Inceptisol under irrigated wheat in India as influenced by different nitrification inhibitors [DOI]
  27. 27 Indian farmers' experience with and perceptions of organic farming [DOI]
  28. 28 Global Challenges for the 21st Century: the Role and Strategy of the Agri-Food Sector [DOI]
  29. 29 Influence of Various Organic Amendments on Growth and Yield Attributes of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) [DOI]
  30. 30 Effects of integrated nutrient management on soil properties and yield of rice in alkali soils.
  31. 31 Integrated Nutrient Management: Theory and Practice
  32. 32 Integrated Nutrients Management for Future Production: A Review [DOI]
  33. 33 Integrated Nutrient Management: Concept, Constraints, and Advantages for A Sustainable Agriculture [DOI]
  34. 34 OPTIMIZING SUGARCANE PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL NUTRIENT UPTAKE WITH SULPHITATED PRESS MUD (SPM), PHOSPHORUS SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA (PSB) AND TRICHODERMA VIRIDE INTEGRATION IN CALCAREOUS SOIL [DOI]
  35. 35 Effects of agricultural activities on biodiversity and ecosystems: organic versus conventional farming [DOI]
  36. 36 Effect of integrated nutrient management on nutrient uptake and grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under irrigated conditions
  37. 37 Growth, Yield and Quality of Soybean As Influenced by INM [DOI]
  38. 38 Effect of Livestock Liquid Manure Released at a Rice Field on Quality of Soil and Water in the Saemangeum Watershed [DOI]
  39. 39 Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Yield of Fodder Maize in Chennai [DOI]

Cited by 10

Legume Production and Problems in the Mediterranean Region

Taufiq Nawaz, Shah Fahad, Nitish Joshi · Marker-Assisted Breeding in Legumes for Drought Tolerance · 2025

Role of crop rotation in smart farming for sustainable growth and yields of horticultural crops: A concise overview

Syed Mohsin Abbas, Umar Farooq, Mohammad Valipour · Journal of Horticultural Science & Technology · 2024

Environmental impacts of nitrogen use in agriculture

Doaa A. El-Emam · Nonpoint Source Nitrogen Pollution · 2026

Showing 8 of 10 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

0

Page views

0

PDF downloads

0

Outbound clicks

10

Citations

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

No views recorded yet.

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

No traffic recorded yet.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.