Sustainability of Organic Farming: A Critical Analysis of Soil Fertility Parameters of Organically Managed vs. Chemicalized Vegetable Fields of South India

South India, known for its rich agricultural heritage and diverse agroecosystems, serves as a valuable setting for analyzing the challenges and opportunities of sustainable organic farming. A study was conducted in the region to test the hypothesis that soil fertility in organic fields differs from that in chemicalized fields. The investigation compared soil fertility parameters in organic and chemicalized vegetable fields across various agroclimatic zones, soil types, seasons, organic practices, and vegetable crops. The soil quality parameters measured included soil pH, total organic carbon (TOC), soil available nitrogen (SAN), soil available phosphorus (SAP), and soil available potassium (SAK). The findings indicated that the soil quality parameters in organic fields did not significantly differ from those in chemicalized fields. However, some significant variations specific to particular fields were observed. Overall, the soil fertility parameters of organic fields were comparable to those of chemicalized fields in the region, warranting further investigation. Moreover, different types of organic practices did not show significant differences in their impact on soil quality. Since data on regular comparative monitoring of soil nutrient status between organic and chemicalized fields in South India are lacking, the current findings are significant. They provide a benchmark for further assessments of nutrient levels in relation to soil type, climate, and seasons for both organic and chemicalized fields in the region. The methodology of this study and the data generated will be helpful for ongoing monitoring of organic agriculture as a sustainable model for agricultural production on a global scale.