DOCSLIB.ORG

Organic Versus Conventional Cropping Sustainability: a Comparative System Analysis

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Organic Versus Conventional Cropping Sustainability: a Comparative System Analysis sustainability Review Organic versus Conventional Cropping Sustainability: A Comparative System Analysis Tiffany L. Fess ID and Vagner A. Benedito * ID Division of Plant & Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6108, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 11 December 2017; Accepted: 16 January 2018; Published: 21 January 2018 Abstract: We are at a pivotal time in human history, as the agricultural sector undergoes consolidation coupled with increasing energy costs in the context of declining resource availability. Although organic systems are often thought of as more sustainable than conventional operations, the lack of concise and widely accepted means to measure sustainability makes coming to an agreement on this issue quite challenging. However, an accurate assessment of sustainability can be reached by dissecting the scientific underpinnings of opposing production practices and crop output between cropping systems. The purpose of this review is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation of modern global production practices and economics of organic cropping systems, as well as assess the sustainability of organic production practices through the clarification of information and analysis of recent research. Additionally, this review addresses areas where improvements can be made to help meet the needs of future organic producers, including organic-focused breeding programs and necessity of coming to a unified global stance on plant breeding technologies. By identifying management strategies that utilize practices with long-term environmental and resource efficiencies, a concerted global effort could guide the adoption of organic agriculture as a sustainable food production system. Keywords: agricultural ecology; energy use efficiency; natural resources; organic breeding; pesticides; soil conservation; sustainable development 1. Introduction 1.1. The Definition and State of Global Organic Production Organic crop production is practiced throughout the world, but the official definition and requirements vary country to country (Figure1). In the United States, the definition of “organic” provided through the government regulated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) is not simple, but a rather lengthy and detailed description of all aspects associated with the production, handling, processing, and labeling of organic products, which are strictly enforced. In short, the NOP defines organic agriculture as “an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony”. It should be noted that the standards set by each individual country reflect the needs and resources of the local agricultural environment and consumer. Therefore, some variation does exist. Internationally, organic agriculture is regulated and enforced by numerous certifying agencies based, in large part, on standards set by the International Foundation for Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Generally speaking, standards set in all countries largely prohibit synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and instead put heavy reliance on biodiversity, natural pathogen and pest controls, as well as crop rotations to maintain soil fertility, enhance system sustainability, and reduce environmental Sustainability 2018, 10, 272; doi:10.3390/su10010272 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability SustainabilitySustainability2018 2018, ,10 10,, 272 272 2 2of of 38 42 biodiversity, natural pathogen and pest controls, as well as crop rotations to maintain soil fertility, enhance impact. Additionally, the use of material legally defined as a genetically modified organism (GMO) is system sustainability, and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, the use of material legally defined strictly prohibited. as a genetically modified organism (GMO) is strictly prohibited. Figure 1. Regulation and implementation of organic practices by country. According to the most Figure 1. Regulation and implementation of organic practices by country. According to the most recent recent data from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), organic agriculture is being data from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), organic agriculture is being practiced to practiced to some degree in almost all countries [1]. Map created using mapchart.net. some degree in almost all countries [1]. Map created using mapchart.net. According to the most recent Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) data (2015), there are 179According diverse organic to the mostproducing recent countries Research in the Institute world ofcombining Organic 50.9 Agriculture million hectares (FiBL) of data farmland (2015), therededicated are 179 to diverseorganic organicproduction, producing an area countries roughly the in thetotal world size of combining Spain (Figure 50.9 2) million [1]. In hectares 2015, the of farmlandlargest number dedicated of organic to organic producers production, worldwide an was area recorded, roughly thetotaling total 2.4 size million, of Spain of which (Figure 89%2)[ are1 ]. Infrom 2015, developing the largest countriesnumber and of emerging organic producers markets (Figur worldwidee 3). The wasmost recorded, recent statistics totaling also 2.4 show million, that ofglobal which sales 89% ofare organic from developingfood and drinks countries are estimated and emerging to have markets reached (Figure 81.6 3billion). The USD most (Figures recent statistics 4 and also5) [1]. show Presently, that global organic sales agriculture of organic foodand andrelat drinksed businesses are estimated are growing to have within reached the81.6 U.S. billion market,USD (Figuresserving4 asand a 5strong)[ 1]. Presently,stimulus for organic the USDA’s agriculture goals and for related rural businessesdevelopment are growingand promotion within theof U.S.agricultural market, servingsustainability. as a strong Over stimulusthe last 30 for years, the USDA’sU.S. organic goals production for rural development has grown at anda steady promotion pace, ofstarting agricultural from sustainability.virtually nothing Over and the growing last 30 years, to currently U.S. organic include production over 14,800 has registered grown at afarms, steady pace,managing starting approximately from virtually 2.0 nothing million andhectares growing (4.9 million to currently acres; include 0.6% total over land 14,800 share) registered of farmland, farms, managingwith certifiable approximately organic operations 2.0 million found hectares in every (4.9 state million [1]. Even acres; though 0.6% totalthe amount land share) of land of dedicated farmland, withto the certifiable production organic of organic operations good founds is low in in every comparison state [1]. to Even its conventional though the amount counterpart, of land consumer dedicated todemand the production is high. Overall, of organic the goods U.S. organic is low in market comparison reached to its39.7 conventional billion USD counterpart,in retail sales consumer in 2015 demand(representing is high. 47% Overall, of the global the U.S. orga organicnic market), market accounting reached for 39.7 nearly billion 5% USDof all infood retail sales sales in the in U.S. 2015 (representing[2]. According 47% to surveys of the global collected organic by the market), USDA, accountingeven though for the nearly retail 5%price of of all organic food sales products in the U.S.continues [2]. According to be higher to surveys than their collected conventional by the USDA, counterparts, even though more theorganic retail producers price of organic are needed products to continuesmeet the demand to be higher of the than U.S. their market, conventional especially counterparts,for fresh produce more and organic dairy. producers are needed to meet the demand of the U.S. market, especially for fresh produce and dairy. Sustainability 2018, 10, 272 3 of 38 Sustainability 2018, 10, 272 3 of 42 Sustainability 2018, 10, 272 3 of 38 Figure 2. Proportion of organic land share, per country, as of 2015. Currently, 1.1% of the global Figure 2. Proportion of organic land share, per country, as of 2015. Currently, 1.1% of the global Figure 2. Proportion of organic land share, per country, as of 2015. Currently, 1.1% of the global agriculturalagricultural area area is is dedicated dedicated toto organic cropcrop prod production.uction. Data Data retrieved retrieved from from Research Research Institute Institute of of agricultural area is dedicated to organic crop production. Data retrieved from Research Institute OrganicOrganic Agriculture Agriculture (FiBL)(FiBL) andand International FederationFederation of ofOrganic Organic Agriculture Agriculture Movements Movements of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)-Organic(IFOAM)-Organic International International WorldWorld ofof OrganicOrganic Agriculture Agriculture Yearbook Yearbook 2017 2017 [1]. [1].Map Map created created using using (IFOAM)-Organic International World of Organic Agriculture Yearbook 2017 [1]. Map created using mapchart.net.mapchart.net. mapchart.net. Figure 3. Global growth in organic production. In response to increasing global consumer demand, the land area and number of producers dedicated to the cultivation of organic goods has steadily FigureFigure 3. 3. GlobalGlobal
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Dynamic Cropping Systems: Increasing Adaptability Amid an Uncertain Future
    Published online June 5, 2007 Dynamic Cropping Systems: Increasing Adaptability Amid an Uncertain Future J. D. Hanson,* M. A. Liebig, S. D. Merrill, D. L. Tanaka, J. M. Krupinsky, and D. E. Stott ABSTRACT was »6.5 billion in late 2005, and is projected to rise Future trends in population growth, energy use, climate change, to 7.6 billion by 2020 and 9.1 billion by 2050 (United and globalization will challenge agriculturists to develop innovative Nations Population Division, 2006). To meet the demand production systems that are highly productive and environmentally for food, agriculture will need to produce as much food sound. Furthermore, future agricultural production systems must pos- in the next 25 yr as it has produced in the last 10 000 yr sess an inherent capacity to adapt to change to be sustainable. Given (Mountain, 2006). Increasing food production to this this context, adoption of dynamic cropping systems is proposed to extent will have significant ramifications on resource meet multiple agronomic and environmental objectives through the use. From 1961 to 1996, the doubling of agricultural food enhancement of management adaptability to externalities. Dynamic production was associated with a 6.9-fold increase in cropping systems are a form of agricultural production that relies on an annual strategy to optimize the outcome of (i) production, (ii) eco- N fertilization, a 3.5-fold increase in P fertilization, a nomic, and (iii) resource conservation goals using ecologically-based 1.7-fold increase of irrigated cropland, and a 1.1-fold management principles. Dynamic cropping systems are inherently increase of land under cultivation (Tilman, 1999).
    [Show full text]
  • Diversifying Cropping Systems PROFILE: THEY DIVERSIFIED to SURVIVE 3
    Opportunities in Agriculture CONTENTS WHY DIVERSIFY? 2 Diversifying Cropping Systems PROFILE: THEY DIVERSIFIED TO SURVIVE 3 ALTERNATIVE CROPS 4 PROFILE: DIVERSIFIED NORTH DAKOTAN WORKS WITH MOTHER NATURE 9 PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES, RENEW PROFITS 10 AGROFORESTRY 13 PROFILE: PROFITABLE PECANS WORTH THE WAIT 15 STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY, SHARE LABOR 15 PROFILE: STRENGTHENING TIES AMONG MAINE FARMERS 16 RESOURCES 18 Alternative grains and oilseeds – like, from left, buckwheat, amaranth and flax – add diversity to cropping systems and open profitable niche markets while contributing to environmentally sound operations. – Photos by Rob Myers Published by the Sustainable KARL KUPERS, AN EASTERN WASHINGTON GRAIN GROWER, Although growing alternative crops to diversify a Agriculture Network (SAN), was a typical dryland wheat farmer who idled his traditional farm rotation increase profits while lessen- the national outreach arm land in fallow to conserve moisture. After years of ing adverse environmental impacts, the majority of of the Sustainable Agriculture watching his soil blow away and his market price slip, U.S. cropland is still planted in just three crops: soy- Research and Education he made drastic changes to his 5,600-acre operation. beans, corn and wheat. That lack of crop diversity (SARE) program, with funding In place of fallow, he planted more profitable hard can cause problems for farmers, from low profits by USDA's Cooperative State red and hard white wheats along with seed crops like to soil erosion. Adding new crops that fit climate, Research, Education and condiment mustard, sunflower, grass and safflower. geography and management preferences can Extension Service. All of those were drilled using a no-till system Kupers improve not only your bottom line, but also your calls direct-seeding.
    [Show full text]
  • Management of Crop Residues for Sustainable Crop Production
    IAEA-TECDOC-1354 Management of crop residues for sustainable crop production Results of a co-ordinated research project organized by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture 1996–2001 May 2003 The originating Section of this publication in the IAEA was: Soil and Water Management & Crop Production Section International Atomic Energy Agency Wagramer Strasse 5 P.O. Box 100 A-1400 Vienna, Austria MANAGEMENT OF CROP RESIDUES FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION IAEA, VIENNA, 2003 IAEA-TECDOC-1354 ISBN 92–0–104203–5 ISSN 1011–4289 © IAEA, 2003 Printed by the IAEA in Austria May 2003 FOREWORD It is well recognized that the organic matter content of a soil is a key attribute of fertility. The beneficial effects of organic matter on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil are well documented. Decline in organic matter content in intensive cropping systems is considered to be the major problem in maintaining agricultural productivity in the tropics. Additions of organic materials such as crop residues play an important role in the recycling of nutrients. More than one half of all dry matter in the global harvest is in the form of residues, and in most developing countries the amounts of nutrients in residues are often several orders of magnitude higher than the quantities applied as fertilizers. Thus, proper management of crop residues for the maintenance of soil fertility cannot be overstressed. This Co-ordinated Research Project (CRP) focused on countries where crop production and soil fertility can be sustained by the better management of crop residues. As a result of recommendations formulated at a consultants meeting organized by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, 4–7 September 1995, a Co-ordinated Research Project on “The Use of Isotope Techniques in Studies on the Management of Organic Matter and Nutrient Turnover for Increased Sustainable Agricultural Production and Environmental Preservation” was implemented between 1996 and 2001.
    [Show full text]
  • Cover Crops: Selection and Management
    Soil Health and Organic Farming Cover Crops: Selection and Management By Mark Schonbeck, Diana Jerkins, Joanna Ory SOIL HEALTH AND ORGANIC FARMING COVER CROPS: SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT An Analysis of USDA Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions (ORG) Funded Research from 2002-2016 Thank you to the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation for supporting this project. © 2017 Organic Farming Research Foundation Santa Cruz, CA Table of Contents Introduction............................................................................................................................1 Challenges in Selecting and Managing Cover Crops in Organic Systems ...3 Selecting and Using Cover Crops for Soil Health in Organic Production: Some Tips and Information Resources .......................................................................5 Table 1. Cover cropping goals, desired characteristics and suggested cover crop species ..........................................................................................................................6 Table 2. Suggested cover crop species for different niches in the crop rotation. .................................................................................................................................. 8 Table 3. Information Resources and Tools for Selecting and Managing Cover Crops for Soil Health ......................................................................................... 15 Current Science on Cover Cropping for Organic Systems: An Analysis of USDA OREI
    [Show full text]
  • Green and Animal Manure Use in Organic Field Crop Systems
    Received: 11 April 2019 Accepted: 19 November 2019 DOI: 10.1002/agj2.20082 REVIEW Organic Agriculture & Agroecology Green and animal manure use in organic field crop systems Patrick M. Carr1 Michel A. Cavigelli2 Heather Darby3 Kathleen Delate4 Jed O. Eberly1 Heather K. Fryer1 Greta G. Gramig5 Joseph R. Heckman6 Ellen B. Mallory7 Jennifer R. Reeve8 Erin M. Silva9 David H. Suchoff10 Alex L. Woodley10 1Montana State Univ., Central Agricultural Research Center, 52583 US HWY 87, Moccasin, MT 59462, USA 2USDA-ARS Beltsville Agric. Res. Ctr., 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705, USA 3University of Vermont, 278 S. Main Street, St. Albans, VT 05478, USA 4Dep. of Agronomy and Dep. Horticulture, 106 Horticulture Hall, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA 50011, USA 5Dep. Plant Sci, North Dakota State Univ., 166 Loftsgard Hall, North Bolley Drive, Fargo, ND 58102, USA 6Dep. Plant Biol., Rutgers, The State Univ. NJ, 59 Dudley Road - Foran Hall, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520, USA 7School of Food and Agric., Univ. Maine, 495 College Avenue, Orono, ME 04473, USA 8Dep. of Plants, Soils, and Climate, Utah State Univ., 4820 Old Main Hall, Logan, UT 84322–4820, USA 9Dep. Plant Path, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA 10Dep. of Crop & Soil Sciences, North Carolina State Univ., 101 Derieux Place, Campus Box 7620, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA Correspondence Patrick M. Carr, Montana State Univ., Central Abstract Agricultural Research Center, 52583 US HWY Dual-use cover/green manure (CGM) crops and animal manure are used to supply 87, Moccasin, MT 59462, USA. nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to organically grown field crops.
    [Show full text]
  • Crop Rotation on Organic Farms a PLANNING MANUAL
    Crop Rotation on Organic Farms A PLANNING MANUAL Charles L. Mohler & Sue Ellen Johnson, editors Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Plant and Life Sciences Publishing (PALS) CROP ROTATION ON ORGANIC FARMS a planning manual CHARLES L. MOHLER AND SUE ELLEN JOHNSON, EDITORS Published by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. SARE is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Deparment of Agriculture. Formerly published by Plant and Life Sciences Publishing (PALS). NRAES-177 Published July 2009 (NRAES-177) Reprinted 2020 This book was first published in 2009 by the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES). As of 2020 it is published by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. SARE is supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award No. 2019-38640-29881. Learn more about NRAES and SARE on pages 155-156. ISBN 978-1-933395-21-0 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Crop rotation on organic farms : a planning manual / Charles L. Mohler and Sue Ellen Johnson, editors. p. cm. -- (Cooperative Extension NRAES ; 177) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-933395-21-0 1. Crop rotation--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Organic farming--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Mohler, Charles L., date II. Johnson, Sue Ellen, date III. Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service. Cooperative Extension. IV. Series: NRAES (Series) ; 177. S603.C756 2009 631.5’82--dc22 200901605 Disclaimer The SARE program provides information to everyone, without regard to race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, familial or veteran status. Every effort has been made to make this publication as complete and as accurate as possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Training Manual for Organic Agriculture in the Tropics
    Training manual for ORGANIC AGRICULTURE Edited by Nadia SCIALABBA Climate, Energy and Tenure Division (NRC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO) Compiled by Ilka GOMEZ and Lisa THIVANT TECA Team – Research and Extension Division (DDNR) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO) 2015 Technologies and practices for smallholder farmers ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The production of this manual is a joint activity between the Climate, Energy and Tenure Division (NRC) and the Technologies and practices for smallholder farmers (TECA) Team from the Research and Extension Division (DDNR) of FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The realization of this manual has been possible thanks to the hard review, compilation and edition work of Nadia Scialabba, Natural Resources officer (NRC) and Ilka Gomez and Lisa Thivant, members of the TECA Team. Special thanks are due to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) for their valuable documents and publications on organic farming for smallholder farmers. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS List of figures ................................................................................................................................................................ 4 List of tables .................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Cropping System
    Cropping System SS Rana & MC Rana "If a better system is thine, impart it; if not, make use of mine. " - Horace Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management College of Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176062 (India) Cropping System S S Rana Sr Scientist MC Rana Associate Professor Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, COA, CSK HPKV, Palampur-176062 Copyright 2011 SS Rana , Sr Scientist, Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, Coll ege of Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur- 176062. No part of this pub lication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitt ed, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the writt en permiss ion of the authors . Citation Rana S S and M C Rana. 2011. Cropping System . Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur , 80 pages. Preface Prosperity of any country depends upon the prosperity of its people. Economy of most countries, is directly or indirectly dependant on their agriculture. All over the world, farmers work hard but do not make money, especially small farmers because there is very little left after they pay for all inputs. Agriculture being dependant of monsoon, the crop productivity is variable every year. To increase productivity continuous efforts need to be made in conduct of research on different aspects of crop production, post harvest and marketing of the value added products. The emergence of system approach has enabled us to increase production without deteriorating the resource base. There is every possibility of saving resources following system approach in cropping.
    [Show full text]
  • Polyculture Production
    Polyculture Production Principles, Benefits and Risks of Multiple Cropping Land Management Systems for Australia A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Larry Geno and Dr Barbara Geno May 2001 RIRDC Publication No 01/34 RIRDC Project No AGC-3A © 2001 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0 642 58256 4 ISSN 1440-6845 Polyculture Production - Principles, Benefits and Risks of Multiple Cropping Land Management Systems for Australia Publication No. 01/34 Project No. AGC-3A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Agroecology Associates Bretons Road CROHAMHURST QLD 4519 RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4539 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Website:http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in May 2001 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword This comprehensive report provides a well-balanced synthesis of information available on what is termed polycultural production. Polyculture places an ecological framework to the growing of more than one crop at a time in one place.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Crop Residue Management and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Soil
    J. Agr. Sci. Tech. (2015) Vol. 17: 249-260 Effects of Crop Residue Management and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Content and Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Two Cropping Systems T. Pandiaraj 1*, S. Selvaraj 1, and N. Ramu 1 ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of addition of pulses in crop sequences, crop residue management, and application of fertilizer N on soil nitrogen content, soil organic carbon, nutrient uptake, and its consequences for wheat yields. The field experiments were carried out from 2009 to 2012 in the sub-humid and sub-tropical zone of northern India. The treatments were (i) crop residue retained (+Residue) or (ii) removed (-Residue), (iii) 120 kg N ha -1 applied to wheat, (iv) 150 kg N ha -1 to maize, and (v) a control with no nitrogen applied to either wheat or maize. The cropping systems consisted of a rotation of wheat and maize or wheat and green gram. Postharvest incorporation of crop residues significantly (P< 0.05) increased the wheat grain and straw yields during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. On average, crop residues incorporation increased the wheat grain yield by a factor of 1.31 and straw yield by 1.38. The wheat crop also responded strongly to the previous legume (green gram); grain yield increased by a factor of 1.89 and straw yield by 2.05, compared to the control. Application of fertilizer N to the preceding maize crop exerted a strong carryover effect on grain (1.18) and straw yield (1.26) wheat.
    [Show full text]
  • Crop Residue Management to Reduce Erosion and Improve Soil
    United States Department of Agriculture Crop Residue Agricultural Research Service Management To Conservation Research Report Number 40 Reduce Erosion and May 1995 Improve Soil Quality Northwest i 1 1 1 1 1 3 i 5 1 1 I 11-; j 2,cc I 110 1 11 I 2 12. 1 1 1 1; 8 i l ik 111;0411/110 li ii 1 1 111 Ech 1;1 m < MO OWILO z 0 a WM I- 11 United States Department of Agriculture Crop Residue Agricultural Research Service Management To Conservation Research Report Number 40 Reduce Erosion and May 1995 Improve Soil Quality Northwest R.I. Papendick and W.C. Moldenhauer, Editors Abstract Papendick, R.I., and W.C. Moldenhauer, eds. 1995. Crop imply that uses discussed here have been registered. All Residue Management To Reduce Erosion and Improve Soil uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate state or Quality: Northwest. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal agencies or both before they can be recommended. Agricultural Research Service, CRR-40, 68 pp. While supplies last, single copies of this publication may be Leaving crop residue on the soil surface during cropping has obtained at no cost from a Natural Resources Conservation a number of clear advantages over tillage that leaves the soil Service District office. Copies of this publication may be surface bare. Most obvious is the greatly reduced erosion purchased from the National Technical Information Service, from wind and water. This advantage alone makes the 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161; telephone change worthwhile. Mandated conservation compliance by (703) 487-4650.
    [Show full text]
  • Supporting Agricultural Ecosystem Services Through the Integration of Perennial Polycultures Into Crop Rotations
    sustainability Review Supporting Agricultural Ecosystem Services through the Integration of Perennial Polycultures into Crop Rotations Peter Weißhuhn 1,* ID , Moritz Reckling 1 ID , Ulrich Stachow 1 and Hubert Wiggering 2 1 Institute of Land Use Systems, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Eberswalder Straße 84, D-15374 Müncheberg, Germany; [email protected] (M.R.); [email protected] (U.S.) 2 Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24/25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-33432-82-271 Received: 1 November 2017; Accepted: 5 December 2017; Published: 7 December 2017 Abstract: This review analyzes the potential role and long-term effects of field perennial polycultures (mixtures) in agricultural systems, with the aim of reducing the trade-offs between provisioning and regulating ecosystem services. First, crop rotations are identified as a suitable tool for the assessment of the long-term effects of perennial polycultures on ecosystem services, which are not visible at the single-crop level. Second, the ability of perennial polycultures to support ecosystem services when used in crop rotations is quantified through eight agricultural ecosystem services. Legume–grass mixtures and wildflower mixtures are used as examples of perennial polycultures, and compared with silage maize as a typical crop for biomass production. Perennial polycultures enhance soil fertility, soil protection, climate regulation, pollination, pest and weed control, and landscape aesthetics compared with maize. They also score lower for biomass production compared with maize, which confirms the trade-off between provisioning and regulating ecosystem services. However, the additional positive factors provided by perennial polycultures, such as reduced costs for mineral fertilizer, pesticides, and soil tillage, and a significant preceding crop effect that increases the yields of subsequent crops, should be taken into account.
    [Show full text]