The International Workshop on Establishment of Microbial Inocula in Soils: Cooperative Research Project on Biological Resource Management of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Low-input agriculture is likely to be the focal point for future cropping systems. Worldwide there is increasing concern that we must decrease the use of chemicals in agriculture. A leading reason for this concern has been the effects of pesticides on food quality, consumer health, and the environment. There also is concern regarding fertilizers and energy inputs because of environmental pollution from excessive application rates and poor timing of fertilization and because of the depletion of nonrenewable energy resources. Overuse of these materials not only is an economic waste but also may require environmental cleanup. Legislation may mandate the development of alternative methods of pest control. For example, the Dutch Government has demanded a 35% decrease in the use of farm pesticides in 1995 and a 50% reduction by the year 2000. Other governments may impose similar limitations.