Philosophy and Practice of Nature Farming in Japan

摘要

When chemical fertilizers began to spread in Japan several decades ago,chemical fertilizers and pesticides were believed capable of extinguishing the pests and exterminating the famine.At this moment,Mokichi Okada,an oriental philosopher,proposed nature farming philosophy.The main points of nature farming philosophy include the followings: ① fertilizers pollute the soil and weaken its power of productivity;② pests would outbreak from the excessive use of fertilizers;③ nutrition favorable for pathogens causes disease susceptibility;④ vegetables and fruits produced by nature fanning taste better than those by chemical farming;⑤ fertilizer poisons exist at various levels.These were proved by series of experiments and approaches to the problem solution were tried.For example,the accumulations of nitrogen intermediate metabolites in the tissue were found accountable for the plant susceptibility to diseases and pest insects and could be controlled by organic fertilization and intercropping.Biodiversity at levels of crop variety and the whole ecosystem can be achieved to control incidences of pest.Problems at various levels as caused by excessive uses of chemical can be avoided with integrated management in nature farming system.