The application and decomposition of organic materials such as crop residuals is important for improvement in soil fertility in organic farming but the decomposition of the organic materials is the key point. We investigated the relationship of rice plant growth and weed incidence with the decomposition of rice straw during the non-planting period in totally 29 organic paddy fields in 2009 and 33 in 2010 in Kou-Shin-Etsu areas in Japan. The dominant paddy weed Monochoria vaginalis was found in high density at the maximum tillering stage in all the organic paddy fields. Weeds dry weight during the maximum tillering period was increased by rice straw remaining rate in puddled soil (organic matter (>4mm) content in the puddled soil divided by the rice straw amount at previous harvest). In addition, in many cases with high weed density and remaining straw in the soil, rice plant growth is suppressed and further this leads to decreases in spike number because of the low planting density and consequently grain yield decreased, which was ultimately due to the poor initial growth. Therefore, in several cases of the investigation paddy fields, the transplanting time was delayed 10 days than the farmers’ practice in order to increase the rice straw decomposition period. Where planting density was 30% higher than that of farmers’ practice （18.2 plants m^－2), weed dry weight decreased to lower than 10g m^－2 and grain was ensured because of less weed incidence. In conclusion, suggested practices for the improvement of organic rice production in the cool areas of Kou-Sin-Etsu areas are to ensure the sufficient straw decomposition period by early plowing and by postponing transplanting, and increasing plant density by 18.2 plants m^－2.

A new method of pruning branches to reduce damage from diseases and pests and enhance high-quality yields for the organic cultivation of summer and autumn cucumbers and eggplants was examined. This made great contribution to stable production for organic cultivation as an agronomic management technique.

For summer and autumn cucumbers, a primary side branch developed from a main branch is pinched out at a second knot, and a secondary side branch is extended without pinching. Old and diseased leaves are proactively removed, and the newly extended secondary side branches are drawn to an empty shelf space. This method of pruning branches produces a state where young shoots and young leaves always develop on the shelves. The total high-quality yield, especially in the latter half of growth, was increased compared with cases where the secondary side branches are not pinched out and the leaves are not removed. Regarding diseases and pests, this method reduces damage due to downy mildew, anthrax, and the Cucurbit leaf beetle (Aulacophora femoralis).

For summer and autumn eggplants, the primary side branch that develops from the main branch is pinched just over the flowering position, and branches are pruned back (i.e. side branch renewal pruning) always after fruit harvest. Old and diseased leaves are also actively removed. This method of pruning branches produces a state where young shoots and leaves always develop on the shelves. The total high-quality yield, especially in the latter half of growth, was increased, and the rate of the high-quality yield also increased compared with cases without side branch renewal pruning and when the leaves are not removed. Regarding diseases and pests, this method reduced damage due to powdery mildew.

This method of pruning branches is a new attempt to any crop plants to enhance productivity by maintaining plant postures throughout their growth period so that young shoots and young leaves easily extend and develop and improves the light-receiving conditions.

The Republic of Uzbekistan located in Central Asia is a suitable place for grape cultivation due to the low occurrence of pests because of dry climate and summer high temperature, and cultivation of “organic farming” grapes is also done. Wine is produced using those grapes, and it is believed that those wines are manufactured by traditional methods. However, the actual cultivation of grapes and production of wines have hardly been clarified. In this study, we analyzed the actual situation of the productions of grapes and wines in Uzbekistan from the field survey and case analysis of the wineries and farms conducted in August 2016, and also analyzed the food scientific properties and the palatability of the sample wines obtained at that time. As a result, the grape cultivation in Uzbekistan was found to be an extensive and organic farming that does not use pesticides, chemical fertilizers and herbicides, reflecting climate properties. The content of sulfur dioxide in wines produced from those grapes was equal to or less than the EU general regulation value and some wines were found to conform to the organic standards. From the data of food scientific analysis, Uzbekistan wine was shown to have obvious characteristics. The sensory evaluation of Uzbekistan wine compared to Japanese one showed that Uzbekistan wine has more complicated flavor. From these results, it was suggested that Uzbekistan wine is highly palatable for those who have abundant wine drinking experience. As described above, the location of Uzbekistan wine is different from Japanese one, therefore, as a sales strategy, it is appropriate to appeal the unique points of palatability and safety, or scarcity for the time being.

In order to clarify the possibility and study of the characteristics of continuous cropping in the upland field by organic or natural farming, the effects of continuous cropping system with continuous utilization of organic matters with no chemical fertilizer on the growth of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) were examined since 1996. The results showed that the average yield of cabbage from 1996-2005 were 22,800kg/ha, 22,400kg/ha and 22,700kg/ha in the cattle manure compost plot (CMC), grass compost plot (GRC) and chemical fertilizer plot (CHF), respectively. The cabbage yield cultivated in spring showed that it was less in CMC and/or GRC than CHF at the beginning, and decreased in the first three years in keeping with that order. After four years, the yield of all plots increased and the difference between CHF and others became shortened, and then there was no difference between the three treatments from 2000 to 2006. In the autumn cultivation, the yield of cabbage from 1996-2000 was stable at 25,100-39,300kg/ha in CMC and 18,100-36,600kg/ha in GRC toward 16,200-32,700kg/ha in CHF without decreasing like in the spring cultivation. The cabbage yield after six years were gradually decreased at each treatment, and showed it was higher in GRC and/or CMC than CHF. Head rot of cabbage caused by Rhizoctonia solani in spring and Sclerotinia rot of cabbage by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in autumn is the main disease that occurred. After seven years from start, the ‘Disease Decline Phenomena’ in Sclerotinia rot of cabbage was observed. In the properties of soil, it was confirmed that the content of available nitrogen and available phosphorus increased with the continuous utilization of organic matters, and it was necessary to pay attention to the occurrence of the base imbalance by potassium accumulation in the utilization of cattle manure compost.