Physical Soil Health Indicators in Paired Certified Organic and Conventional Farms: A Multi-case Study in the Philippines

Authors

• Victorino A. Bato, Division of Soil Science, Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los BañosFollow
• Gina Villegas Pangga, Division of Soil Science, Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baňos, Philippines

Publication Date

9-1-2026

Abstract

There is a common perception that organic products and practices are good for the health of consumers, plants, the environment, and particularly the soil. In the Philippines, organic agriculture was enacted into law (i.e., Republic Act No. 10068) in order to encourage farmers to shift to organic farming and reap its benefits, including better soil health through improved soil physical properties. This study compared certain soil physical properties of certified organic farms in the Philippines with those of a conventional cropping system. Results showed significantly higher soil aggregate stability (high values of percent water-stable aggregates and mean weight diameter, both measures of aggregate stability) on the organic agriculture farming systems compared with the conventional cropping systems for all regionally and geographically separated farms. Pooled data of similar treatments achieved a probability value of 0.00011 for percent water-stable aggregates greater than 0.5 mm and a probability value of 1.7 × 10−6 for the mean weight diameter. The mean percent water-stable aggregate and mean weight diameter for organic agriculture was 84% and 2.8 mm, while those of the conventional cropping system were 47% and 1.2 mm. However, organic agriculture did not provide any advantage over conventional farming systems in lowering soil bulk density, increasing total porosity, and decreasing soil hardness values. Based on the results, organic agriculture, being an ecologically-based farming practice, may help promote the creation of stable soil aggregates, which consequently promotes soil conservation, aeration, and water retention.

Recommended Citation

Bato, Victorino A. and Pangga, Gina Villegas (2026) "Physical Soil Health Indicators in Paired Certified Organic and Conventional Farms: A Multi-case Study in the Philippines," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 109: No. 3, Article 6.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol109/iss3/6