Organic management enhances both ecological and economic profitability of apple orchard: A case study in Shandong Peninsula

Huge amount usage of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and growth hormones in orchards has resulted in some negative impacts on environment and biodiversity. Organic management has been regarded as an alternative solution for both agricultural sustainability and human health maintenance. However, debates also exist on whether organic management can increase apple yield and economic benefits. We here reported a case study on the effect of organic management on apple yield, economic benefits, fruit quality and soil physicochemical properties in an apple production area of Shandong Peninsula, China. The results demonstrated that apple yield in organic management treatment significantly increased by 30 % than that of conventional management (P < 0.05). Economically, organic management achieved an increased annual net output by 504 %. Compared to conventional management, organic management significantly increased phosphorus, potassium, total soluble sugar, titratable acidity and Vitamin C in apples, by 2.9 %, 19.3 %, 8.5 %, 23.4 % and 34.7 % respectively (P < 0.05). For soil physicochemical properties, organic management enhanced soil pH, soil organic carbon and the total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Besides, decrease in soil bulk density was also observed in organic management. Our study demonstrated that organic management without chemical pollution increased apple yield and enhanced economic benefits.