DOK-Trial

Local identifier
DOK-Versuch
Years operational
1978—
Objective
Since 1978, biodynamic (D), organic (O) and conventional (K for German: "konventionell") production of arable crops such as wheat, potatoes, maize, soya and grass-clover leys has been compared at the same site in a practice-oriented trial design. In addition there is a stockless, non-organic variant receiving mineral fertilizer only (M). At the outset of the trial the aim was to clarify whether organic arable farming is feasible at all given natural pressures from weeds, pests and diseases and whether it would produce sufficient yields. The results showed that good, high-quality yields can indeed be achieved. Since the mid-1990s the focus has been on questions relating to sustainable farming, soil quality, and product quality. Fertile soil is the basis of all agricultural production. A number of research teams therefore aim at understanding the ecological processes taking place in the soil, at the soil surface, and above the surface within the model system that is the DOK Trial.
Description
The trial site is located in the Leimen valley near Basel, Switzerland. The experiment has a randomized split-split-plot design with four field replicates. Every year, three crops of the seven-year crop rotation are grown side-by-side at two fertilization intensities each (D1, D2, O1, O2, K1, K2). In addition to the conventional treatment M which only receives mineral fertilizer (only at level 2 fertilization intensity), one treatment (N) has received no fertilizer at all since the beginning of the trial. Since 1991 the level 2 fertilization intensity, a level customarily used by farmers, corresponds to 1.4 LU/ha in all systems while level 1 corresponds to 0.7 LU/ha. Since 1985 the treatments K1, K2 and M have been managed in accordance with the requirements of integrated production. The cropping systems being compared in the trial differ primarily in terms of fertilizer usage and plant protection, while crop rotations, soil cultivation and choice of cultivars are the same across all treatments.
Data Access Statement
Available to collaborators only
Data Access Notes
Data and archived samples are available to researchers on request (archived samples: depending on the amount required) and in collaboration with the data owners, provided there are no conflicts of interest with existing users.
Data license
Don't know
Data policy
Don't know
Organizations
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
research organisation
 +41 62 865 72 72
Agroscope
research organisation
 +41 58 468 71 11
 +41 58 468 72 01
People
Dr. Paul Mäder
principal investigator
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, P.O. Box 219, 5070 Frick, Switzerland
Department of Soil Sciences
Dr. Jochen Mayer
principal investigator
Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zürich, Switzerland
Water Protection and Substance Flows

Site: Therwil, Switzerland

Type
research station field
Local code
Birsmattehof
Location
Arlesheim
Basel-Landschaft
Switzerland
Geographic location
47.502527, 7.539366
+−
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Elevation
303 Metres
Slope
4°
Visits permitted?
Yes
Visiting arrangements
Visits are possible for professionals after arrangement by email or telephone.
Management
organic with special permissions for conventional treatments on this site
Soil type
luvisol
Soil description
The soil is a haplic luvisol on deposits of alluvial loess.
Climatic type
temperate oceanic climate
Climate description
Averaged over 5 years (2014-2019), the mean annual temperature at the site was 10.5°C, and the mean annual precipitation was 890 mm.

Design period: Ongoing (1978—)

Design Type
Split split plot
Description
Since 1978, biodynamic (D), organic (O) and conventional (K for German: "konventionell") production of arable crops such as wheat, potatoes, maize, soya and grass-clover leys has been compared at the same site in a practice-oriented trial design. In addition there is a stockless, non-organic variant receiving mineral fertilizer only (M).
Design description
The experiment has a randomized split-split-plot design with four field replicates. Every year, three crops of the seven-year crop rotation are grown side-by-side at two fertilization intensities each (D1, D2, O1, O2, K1, K2). In addition to the conventional treatment M which only receives mineral fertilizer (only at level 2 fertilization intensity), one treatment (N) has received no fertilizer at all since the beginning of the trial. There are thus a total of 96 plots, each plot being 100m² (5m x 20m) in size. Since 1991 the level 2 fertilization intensity, a level customarily used by farmers, corresponds to 1.4 LU/ha in all systems while level 1 corresponds to 0.7 LU/ha. Since 1985 the treatments K1, K2 and M have been managed in accordance with the requirements of integrated production.
Number of plots
96
Number of replicates
4
Crops
CropYears grown
potatoes
cover crop
winter wheat
cabbages
barley
grass clover leys
beetroot
soybeans
maize
Crop Rotations
1st crop rotation  1978—1984
  • 1
    potatoes
    cover crop
  • 2
    winter wheat
    cover crop
  • 3
    cabbages
  • 4
    winter wheat
  • 5
    barley
  • 6
    grass clover leys
  • 7
    grass clover leys
2nd crop rotation  1985—1991
  • 1
    potatoes
    cover crop
  • 2
    winter wheat
    cover crop
  • 3
    beetroot
  • 4
    winter wheat
  • 5
    barley
  • 6
    grass clover leys
  • 7
    grass clover leys
3rd crop rotation  1992—1998
  • 1
    potatoes
  • 2
    winter wheat
    cover crop
  • 3
    beetroot
  • 4
    winter wheat
  • 5
    grass clover leys
  • 6
    grass clover leys
  • 7
    grass clover leys
4th crop rotation  1999—2005
  • 1
    potatoes
  • 2
    winter wheat
    cover crop
  • 3
    soybeans
    cover crop
  • 4
    maize
  • 5
    winter wheat
  • 6
    grass clover leys
  • 7
    grass clover leys
5th crop rotation  2006—2010
  • 1
    maize
  • 2
    winter wheat
    cover crop
  • 3
    soybeans
    cover crop
  • 4
    potatoes
  • 5
    winter wheat
  • 6
    grass clover leys
  • 7
    grass clover leys
6th crop rotation  2013—
  • 1
    maize
    cover crop
  • 2
    soybeans
  • 3
    winter wheat
    cover crop
  • 4
    potatoes
  • 5
    winter wheat
  • 6
    grass clover leys
  • 7
    grass clover leys
Factors
Factor name
Factor levels
fertilizer exposure
Fertilizer amount
without fertilization  (0 )
Applied to crop: All crops
Level 1 fertilization
Applied to crop: All crops
Corresponds to 0.7 LU/ha in all systems
Level 2 fertilization
Applied to crop: All crops
A fertilization level customarily used by farmers, corresponds to 1.4 LU/ha in all systems
fertilizer exposure
Fertilizer type
organic fertilizer
Applied to crop: All crops
Slightly aerobically rotted manure, slurry and small amounts of potassium magnesia
inorganic fertilizers
Applied to crop: All crops
Mineral NPK only following Swiss federal guidelines
biodynamic fertilizers
Applied to crop: All crops
Aerobic biodynamic manure compost and slurry
inorganic fertilizers and farmyard manure
Applied to crop: All crops
Stacked manure and slurry with mineral NPK following Swiss federal guidelines.
farming system
conventional agriculture
Applied to crop: All crops
Synthetic pesticides respecting thresholds; according to the guidelines of Swiss Integrated Production.
biodynamic agriculture
Applied to crop: All crops
No synthetic pesticides; applying mineral and plant preparations according to bio-dynamic farming practices; farmyard manure and slurry amended with bio-dynamic preparations
organic agriculture
Applied to crop: All crops
No synthetic pesticides, following the Swiss guidelines of bio-organic farming; Farmyard manure and slurry
Factor combinations
NOFERT
sometimes also called "N". Control plots with no fertilizer inputs.
fertilizer exposure: without fertilization
CONMIN2
Sometimes also called M2. Mineral fertilizers
farming system: conventional agriculture
fertilizer exposure: Level 2 fertilization
fertilizer exposure: inorganic fertilizers
BIODYN 1
fertilization amount corresponds to 0.7 LU/ha. Sometimes called D1
farming system: biodynamic agriculture
fertilizer exposure: Level 1 fertilization
fertilizer exposure: biodynamic fertilizers
BIODYN 2
fertilization amount corresponds to 1.4 LU/ha. Sometimes called D2
farming system: biodynamic agriculture
fertilizer exposure: Level 2 fertilization
fertilizer exposure: biodynamic fertilizers
BIOORG 1
fertilization amount corresponds to 0.7 LU/ha. Sometimes called O1
farming system: organic agriculture
fertilizer exposure: Level 1 fertilization
fertilizer exposure: organic fertilizer
BIOORG 2
fertilization amount corresponds to 1.4 LU/ha. Sometimes called O2
farming system: organic agriculture
fertilizer exposure: Level 2 fertilization
fertilizer exposure: organic fertilizer
CONFYM 1
Conventional with 0.5 standard fertilization. Sometimes called K1
farming system: conventional agriculture
fertilizer exposure: Level 1 fertilization
fertilizer exposure: inorganic fertilizers and farmyard manure
CONFYM 2
Conventional with 1.0 standard fertilization. Sometimes called K2
farming system: conventional agriculture
fertilizer exposure: Level 2 fertilization
fertilizer exposure: inorganic fertilizers and farmyard manure
Measurements
VariableMaterialUnitsFrequencyScaleComment
yield componentsAll crops
soil organic matterSoil
pHSoil
microbial diversitySoil
Mycorrhizal diversity and functionalitySoil
Greenhouse gas emissionsSoil
carbon fluxesSoil

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