1 AGROECOSYSTEM AND WE TODAYElena Nikolova Nikolova Corresponding author: chief assist. dr Elena Nikolova Nikolova, University of Agribusiness and Rural Development, BG-4003, Plovdiv, Bulgaria ,

2 Although Bulgaria is a relatively small area ( km2) it has rich biodiversity due to highly various climatic, geological, topographical and hydrological conditions. It is by a wide variety of plant and animal communities characterized, and contains examples for almost all main types of habitats and biotopes, known in Europe. Bulgarian Farmers Association

3 Bulgaria's natural ecosystems are profoundly changed as a result of intense millennial land use of humans and human activity. On the whole territory of Bulgaria, 62% of the land - about 6.85 million hectares - is used for agricultural production. The total cultivated area of ​​4.6 million hectares is allocated between the production of cereals, vegetables, vineyards and orchards. Pastures occupy 1.5 million hectares, while the remaining area is used for other agricultural purposes. In Bulgaria, there are number of unique and representative communities and ecosystems that are highly valuable in terms of biodiversity, including alpine and subalpine plant communities of Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean type, meadows, wetlands, peat bogs and lakes; conifers, beech and oak forests, caves and mountain gorges.

4 Especially separate unit to Bulgarian mechanism for exchange of information for biological system (agroecosystem) provides information about programs at the universities in Bulgaria, protection and restoration of biodiversity and the environment. European Training Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (ETCSA)

5 • production of safe food; • preservation of natural resources; The key to environmental protection in Bulgaria is the approach to the keeping and management of land and resources, that takes into account the value of saving and restoring the diversity at all scales, both in protected areas and of lands beyond, and in diverging regimes of administration and management, in order to maintain and renew the ecological processes on which depends biodiversity. Concerned by environmental issues, community put on the agenda idea of ​​sustainable development. Its moral and philosophical base is the notion, that ,, "that mankind is able to achieve sustainable development, ie to meet its current needs, protecting and preserving natural resources, giving a chance of future generations to satisfy their needs. " Bulgaria's policy in agriculture is based on fundamental principles of sustainable development, namely: • production of safe food; • preservation of natural resources; • implementation of environmentally sound technologies; • stabilization of labor force in agriculture and its reproduction.

6 Direct physical effectsSustainable development requires stabilization of agroecosystem, ie establishment of agricultural systems which are self-regulating, low – input, with rich biodiversity and high energy recovery. In this type of farming, the aim is to be to ensured stable yields for a longer period of time, using environmentally sound technologies such is required in researches and management should not be directed at obtaining maximum yields of a particular crop, but rather at optimizing system in general, in order to achieve economical production, life system and environmental sustainability (prerequisites for sustainable economic and social development). Natural environment Technogenic environment protection Environmental event Direct physical effects Production and economic potential of the farm Earth "Human" element major funds Stocks of resources and production Environmental conditions of business Business processes within the farm Financial situation of the farm

7 Basic rules for creating sustainable agroecosystems are:conservation and utilization of renewable resources; adaptation of crops to environmental conditions and maintenance of average and sustainable level of productivity. Basic parameters for achieving this stability are: 1. Reduced use of energy and resources. Adjusting the additional use of energy, in such way as to achieve a high value of the ratio – obtaininment:investment 2. Reduced loss of nutrients in groundwater and surface dripping water and in erosion. 3. Introduction of an advanced system for recycling of nutrients by using of legumes, organic fertilizers (compost, manure and green manure). 4. Stimulating cultivation of crops, corresponding to the highest degree of environmental and economic conditions. 5. Maintaining received net profit at a certain level, account being taken for conservation of natural resources and minimization of soil degradation. 6. Decreased costs and increased economic efficiency and viability of small and medium-sized farms by supporting various potentially flexible agricultural systems.

8 Biological (organic) farming is one of the most clearly and regulated forms of sustainable agriculture, responsible to the fullest degree and of criteria for organic production. This production is performed on the basis of production units (organic farms) associated with associations for organic agriculture, national or regional control and pre-certification structures, and preliminary developed and validated standards for organic production of national, European and world basic standards of IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements), held in Switzerland in 2000. Plants, plant products and foodstuffs of plant origin, organically produced, And food products for export Bulgarian symbol for organic products Label biological product in the EU

9 Until now in Bulgaria are controlled 432 producers, processors and traders of organic products and foods, and the total amount certified areas for organic farming are 166,741 ha. From them, areas occupied of organic crops are ha, permanent meadows and pastures are ha, and vacant land or lands, left in fallow ha. As in these 166,741 ha certified areas are added and areas at the amount of ha approved by the supervisory authorities as appropriate for the collection of wild plants, the total amount of controlled areas managed according to the rules of organic production is ha. (from ). Certified greenhouses are 12 with total area of ​​206,440 square meters In greenhouses are grown vegetables and fruits. Certified are and 4 organic farms producing seeds and seedlings with four varieties of crops: strawberry, lavender, rose and dill.

10 Organic production is based on the following principles:1. Performed on the basis of uniform standards of production: Global basic IFOAM standarts, standarts of the European Union (Directive 2092/91), and national - for individual countries (for Bulgaria, Ordinance 22/ , for organic production of plants, and Ordinance 35/ on organic production of livestock); 2. Output is produced, processed and sold in registered structures - organic farms, processing plants, eco shops, eco stalls; 3. Ecological quality of production is guaranteed by: strictly regulated inspection systems over the entire chain of production, processing and marketing; independent certification system for production structures and offered products; 4. Completely excludes the use of fertilizers Soil fertility is naturally maintained by: Crop rotations involving multiannual grass mixtures and beans - at least 20%; Use of manure, compost, green manure. 5. The use of synthetic pesticides and growth regulators is totally excluded. Diseases, pests and weeds are regulated under their economic damage thresholds by: - natural self-maintaining, by maintaining rich biodiversity, ecological balance, preservation of useful species; - resistant varieties; - biological and agrotechnical control methods, flaming weeds; - some classics pesticides (such as copper and sulfur preparations); - biopreparations - viral, bacterial, fungal ; - plant and mineral oils, plant extracts; - pheromones, attractants, repellents, colorful sticky boards; - crop rotation and mixed cultivation; 6. Registered farms attend a mandatory conversion period, which lasts from 1 to 3 years. During this time production is entirely implemented by the standards of organic farming, and the production is sold as conventional. 7. Certified as organic production are: herbs, berries and fungi of precisely delineated nature areas where pesticides are not used and there is no pollution from intensive automobile transport or industrial sites.

11 Organic farming is considered as production system which avoids or largely excludes use of synthetic compounds - fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and feed additives. This farming relies heavily on crop rotations, the utilization of crop residues, animal manure, green fertilizing, biological and agricultural pest control, maintenance of natural fertility of soil, appropriate soil cultivation plant nutrition. All this biological system (agroecosystem) is viewed as a living organism, whence comes the name "organic". It is taken as a model by nature itself and is an alternative to intensification, specialization and chemicization in conventional agriculture. Examples of soil processes Green manure crops Sample rotation

12 concept is the fundamental in the definition of organic agriculture To achieve this, organic farming relies on a set of objectives, principles and practices designed to minimize human impact on the environment and ensure functioning of farming system in the most natural, so closer to nature way. This concept is the fundamental in the definition of organic agriculture Main objectives of organic farming are: • To produce foods of high biological value; To interact in a constructive life-enhancing way with all natural systems and cycles; • To support and enhance biological cycles within the farming system, involving microorganisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals; • To maintain and increase long-term fertility of the soil; • To maintain genetic diversity of agricultural system and around it, including protection of natural habitat of wildlife; • To use renewable resources in local farming systems; • To work within a closed system in terms of organic matter and nutrients; • To provide to livestock living conditions which are essential aspects of their natural behavior; • To minimize all forms of pollution that may be a result of agricultural activity; Allow farmers experience in accordance with regulated by UN human rights, and meet their basic needs; • To take into account wider social and environmental impacts of farming system.

13 Organic farming seeks to work with natural cycles without disturbing them. Interaction between minerals, water, humus, air and living organisms in the soil are considered as a major basis for healthy production system. In contrast, conventional farming relies on foreign investments in the system that violate key biological systems. Fixing the organic nitrogen is replaced with artificial nitrogen fertilizers, beneficial insects and earthworms are killed by pesticides, and animal immune system is weakened by the use of antibiotics. Closed cycle of nutrients and energy in organic farms with minimal losses and maximum concern for the environment.

14 In organic farms are used a wide range of agricultural practices to enhance natural regulators in ecosystem, and to prevent release of diseases, pests and weeds out of control. These effective alternatives of pesticides include mainly: crop rotations with different cultures - deep and shallow rooted, nitrogen fixationed, weed competitors and cleansing soil of contamination. Other methods are: stepping regulatory role of beneficial species, using appropriate crops, resistant varieties and increasing biodiversity. In conclusion it may be said that organic farming is a model taken from nature itself and as a philosophy and practice it seeks to be in harmony with it without damaging it. This is the real basis for its sustainable development.

15 With regard to agro technology in which each culture is grown- choice of location, varieties, rootstocks, planting systems, irrigation, pruning, etc., requirements for integrated production did not differ from those in organic. There are no significant differences and in the use of manure, when its origin is not ensured. But application of fertilizers can be allowed only in case of proven need through leaves or soil diagnosis. Assessment for need of fertilization is based on the following optimal values ​​of three main nutrients in leafs: nitrogen - 2.1%, phosphorus - potassium and 0.15% - 1.4%. Also allowed is the use of fertilizers with microelements through the soil or leaves, in proven deficiency of iron, zinc and others. The key element for production of integrated agricultural production is integrated plant protection, since pesticides are the biggest polluters of the environment. That is a system that needs to be built so that it complies utmost account of the natural conditions in the area, which applied to minimize the negative anthropogenic influences. Therefore, chemical detergents should be selected very carefully and to be used only by proven need in compliance with all requirements for safe handling to people and environment.

16 Environmentally friendly technologies are the most effective and most accessible way to manage agroecosystems. Multiannual agricultural practice in Bulgaria shows that the country has excellent conditions for the creation of mixed organic farms (farms following a scientific correlation between crop and livestock) which to maintain intact ecosystems. For this will contribute not only appropriate selection of diverse cultures, but also the application of environmentally friendly technologies for maintaining soil fertility and environmental protection. Land of each farm should be used so, in order to keep soils from erosion and others. degradation processes and environment - from pollution. Production should be directed not towards obtaining maximum yields and at optimizing overall system to ensure stable ecological environment, economic production and environmental friendly production.

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