什么是有机耕作

用生物学方法施肥和防治病虫害来代替化学肥料和杀有害生物剂的作物耕种方法。有机耕作法的支持者认为，化学肥料和杀虫剂有害健康，且污染环境，不是良好的收成所必需。有机耕作法有意识地摒弃现代农业化学技术，起源於1930年代，由英国农业科学家霍华德爵士所采用。各种的有机物质，包括动物粪肥、堆肥、草皮、秸秆和其他作物残留物，将其施用於田地，以便改良土壤结构和提高保水能力，并供给土壤养分，从而种植出富含养分的植物（相反地，使用化学肥料是直接给予植物养分）。病虫害的生物防治是采取预防的方法，包括多种栽种、轮作和栽种抗病虫害作物，并采用病虫害整合管理技术。避免使用生物工程制造出的品种。由於有机耕作困难且耗时，因为有机农作物价钱较昂贵。有机农作物过去只占美国农产品总输出的极少部分，但近年来的销售量已有大幅度的成长。

organic farming

System of crop cultivation that uses biological methods of fertilization and pest control as substitutes for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are regarded by supporters of organic methods as harmful to health and the environment and unnecessary for successful cultivation. It was initiated as a conscious rejection of modern agri-chemical techniques in the 1930s by the British agronomist Sir Albert Howard. Miscellaneous organic materials, including animal manure, compost, grass turf, straw, and other crop residues, are applied to fields to improve both soil structure and moisture-holding capacity and to nourish soil life, which in turn nourishes plants. (Chemical fertilizers, by contrast, feed plants directly.) Biological pest control is achieved through preventive methods, including diversified farming, crop rotation, the planting of pest-deterrent species, and the use of integrated pest management techniques. Bioengineered strains are avoided. Since organic farming is difficult and time-consuming, organically grown produce is expensive. Organic produce formerly accounted for a minuscule portion of total American farm output, but has seen a huge proportional increase in sales in recent years.