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Consumers have become more aware of healthy and safe food produced with low environmental impact. Organic agriculture is of particular interest in this respect, as manifested by 5.768 million hectares managed pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 in Europe. However, there can be a considerable risk that the avoidance of chemical inputs in organic farming will result in poor food quality. Here the results of a study on the quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in a 21 year agrosystem comparison between organic and conventional farming in central Europe are reported. Wheat was grown in a ley (grass/clover) rotation. The 71% lower addition of plant-available nitrogen and the reduced input of other means of production to the organic field plots led to 14% lower wheat yields. However, nutritional value (protein content, amino acid composition and mineral and trace element contents) and baking quality were not affected by the farming systems. Despite exclusion of fungicides from the organic production systems, the quantities ofmycotoxins detected in wheat grains were low in all systems and did not differ. In food preference tests, as an integrative method, rats significantly preferred organically over conventionally produced wheat. The findings indicate that high wheat quality in organic farming is achievable by lower inputs, thereby safeguarding natural resources. (C) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

In the DOK long-term field trial in Switzerland comparing bio-dynamic, bio-organic, and conventional farming systems, the occurrence of Fusarium species and Microdochium nivale on grains of wheat was investigated from 1997 to 2003. Although no differences between the farming systems were found, the previous crop, the fertilisation level, and the year significantly influenced the disease incidence. In 2003, the effect of the pre-crops potatoes versus silage-maize on fusaria was compared. As expected, the incidence of fusaria was significantly higher after maize compared with potatoes. However, the main responsible species was not F. graminearum but F. poae. This species is known for the production of hazardous toxins. A greater input of fertiliser resulted in a higher incidence of fusaria. In contrast, in the organic systems, the incidence of M. nivale was significantly lower at the higher fertilisation level. Our results demonstrate the need for a detailed monitoring of fusaria and mycotoxins in conventionally and organically grown cereals to define the key factors for the occurrence of different fusaria.

To optimize the spreading of knowledge in different fields of organic farming and to support its transfer to the different stakeholders, Agroscope (the 6 Swiss Federal Agricultural Research Stations) and FiBL (the Research Institute of Organic Farming) meet at a regular bases to coordinate their research. The main task is to identify research needs together with farmers and other interested groups and to help with the implementation of research projects. Knowledge transfer is done mainly by annual meetings in cooperation with local organic farmer organisations and once a year a specific workshop/meeting is organized for researchers.