4.2 Soils and Soil Management

Material of microbial, plant or animal origin shall form the basis of the fertility program

4.2.1 The fertility and biological activity of the soil should be maintained or increased, where appropriate, by:

(a) Cultivation of legumes, green manures or deep-rooting plants in an appropriate multi-annual rotation program.

(b) Incorporation in the soil of organic material, composted or not, from holdings producing in accordance with this Standard.  By-products from livestock farming, such as farmyard manure, may be used if they come from livestock holdings producing in accordance with this Standard.

4.2.2 Substances, as specified in Section 10, Table 1, may be applied only to the extent that adequate nutrition of the crop or soil conditioning are not possible by the methods set out in (a) and (b) above, or, in the case of manures, they are not available from organic farming.

 For compost activation, appropriate microorganisms or plant-based preparations may be used.  Biodynamic preparations from stone meal, farmyard manure or plants may also be used for the purpose covered by Section 4.2.1

NB Application of substances in Section 10, Table 1 must be based on soil fertility test results and a fertiliser recommendation.

4.2.3 Hydroponics

The following is not a permitted process:

Hydroponics uses an inert material (degrades only slightly or not at all or does not react) that does not have the capacity to exchange ions with the liquid phase and which is not able to provide a suitable habitat (breeding ground) for a wide range of micro-organisms or to support enzymes. This means that it is not permitted to use media such as those described as below:

- Mineral wool
- Media consisting solely of baked clay granules, both expanded and non-expanded; consisting of pure sand, such as Fugzand.

This category also includes production systems that use no growth media at all, such as root sprinkler irrigation.

The following is a permitted practice:

For pot plants or planting material it is permitted to use potting compost or other growth media that is comprised solely of one or more products that are specified in Table one.

4.2.4 Sprouts production

Operators shall use organic seed produced according to this standard.

Where necessary, seeds shall be sanitised with the following products Hydrogen peroxide (subject to market requirements), , Sodium hypochlorite (no residue on product at dispatch), Ozone (subject to market requirements)

Growing areas shall be dedicated to organic production

Equipment or trays used in the growing and harvesting of such products shall be new or thoroughly sanitized using permitted products as listed in table 6.

Substances for pest and disease management shall only be those listed in this standard

Growing media for:

(a) Sprouts require the use of potable water;

(b) Wheat or barley grass require the use of compost made from materials produced according to this standard.

Where necessary, sprouts and other finial products may be cleaned and sanitized using potable water and the products listed for seed sanitization.