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Soil Fertility Management a Century Ago in Farmers of Forty Centuries

Author

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  • Joseph R. Heckman

    (Department of Plant Biology & Pathology, Rutgers, The State University of NJ, 59 Dudley Road-Foran Hall, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA)

Abstract

Published just over a century ago, Farmers of Forty Centuries or Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea, and Japan , served to document the viability and productivity of traditional agricultural systems that relied on composting, and complete recycling of all types of natural waste materials, as a means of sustaining soil fertility. This cardinal rule of waste management and organic soil husbandry became known as “the law of return” to organic farming. With regards to nutrient management, organic farming methods uses restorative cultural practices that include the law of return principle which encourages the closure of nutrient cycles. In these respects, organic farming methods are arguably more firmly grounded in ecology and sustainability than the promotions of the chemical fertilizer industry which has largely displaced traditional soil fertility practices. Farmers of Forty Centuries is a classic with valuable lessons and experience to offer towards teaching modern concepts in sustainable agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph R. Heckman, 2013. "Soil Fertility Management a Century Ago in Farmers of Forty Centuries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(6), pages 1-6, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:6:p:2796-2801:d:26573
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Nam Phong Le & Thi Thu Phuong Nguyen & Dajian Zhu, 2018. "Understanding the Stakeholders’ Involvement in Utilizing Municipal Solid Waste in Agriculture through Composting: A Case Study of Hanoi, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-32, July.
    2. Heckman, Joseph R., 2015. "The Role of Trees and Pastures in Organic Agriculture," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 4(3 Special).

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