organic-farming
Organic farming is an agricultural system that relies on naturally occurring inputs like compost and green manure, alongside techniques such as crop rotation, companion planting, and biological pest control rather than synthetic chemicals. For plant science, it offers a critical lens for studying how plants respond to natural soil ecosystems, beneficial microbial communities, and ecological interactions that influence growth, health, and yield. Research in this area helps illuminate the underlying plant biology driving sustainable productivity without dependence on synthetic interventions.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-02-26
Planting marigolds alongside tomatoes cuts harmful soil nematode populations by 67% and boosts tomato yields by 18%, offering a simple, chemical-free pest control strategy for organic growers.
Intercropping marigolds with tomatoes reduced root-knot nematode populations by 67%
Tomato yields improved by 18% compared to monoculture (tomatoes grown alone) controls
Alpha-terthienyl, a compound released from marigold roots, was identified as the primary nematode-killing agent
