Comparison of alternative farming systems. II. Earthworm population density and species diversity

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin C. Berry ◽  
Douglas L. Karlen
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Lumbricus Terrestris ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Aporrectodea Trapezoides ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Earthworm Population ◽  
Octolasion Tyrtaeum

Effects of soil fauna on soil quality are largely unknown. Our objective was to learn whether long-term soil management has significantly affected earthworm species and populations at two Iowa locations. Soil cores were collected in fall 1989, spring 1990, and fall 1990 from a long-term tillage study in Polk County, Iowa, involving monoculture of corn (Zea mays L.) with either no-tillage, fall disking, fall chisel plowing, or fall moldboard plowing. Species found were Lumbricus terrestris (L), Octolasion tyrtaeum (Savigny), Aporrectodea trapezoides (Duges), A. turgida (Eisen), and A. tuberculata (Eisen), with O. tyrtaeum dominant across all treatments. As the amount of tillage increased, the number of earthworms generally decreased. InBoone County, Iowa, we compared the populations of mature and immature earthworms and cocoons on two adjacent fields, one managed conventionally, the other managed with an alternative farming system for more than 20 years. The predominant species was A. tuberculata. Regardless of management practice, the most worms were found in Canisteo soil on the toeslope landscape position.

Incremental transformation: Success from farming system synergy

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A Kirkegaard
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Wheat Plant ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Environment Management ◽  
Research Teams ◽  
System A ◽  
Agriculture And Food

Those not immediately involved in managing a dryland farm sustainably in a risky water-limited environment such as Australia may think a comparison with rocket science a bit of a stretch. But if the level of challenge, the importance to humanity, the long-term multidisciplinary team approach and planning required, and the level of uncertainty inherent in the pursuit are measures, then I think the comparison is warranted. The importance of the farming systems agronomy research that has supported agriculture and food security in Australia and globally since William Farrer’s time perhaps receives less public attention than some other science areas such as genetics, genomics, or digital agriculture—indeed, agriculture is now literally “rocket science” as satellite-guided machines and sensors gather volumes of data about the soils, plants, and weather on farms at scales and speeds hitherto impossible. Yet despite spectacular advances in individual genetic or management technologies, few have been singularly transformational. Rather significant productivity improvements generally arise when a combination of technologies, often old and new are integrated and synergize in specific ways within a system—a process here termed incremental transformation. William Farrer himself was clearly aware of this fact, as this article shows, he placed as much importance on maintaining the fertility of the soil in which he grew wheat as on improving the wheat plant itself. This article first provides some background to Farrer and on his interests in Genotype × Environment × Management (G × E × M) interactions (though he certainly did not use that terminology). It then describes some examples from my own research teams, to demonstrate the ongoing impact that arises from research to capture synergies from new genetics and improved management in the pursuit of incremental transformation.

Comparison of alternative farming systems. I. Infiltration techniques

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Logsdon ◽  
J.K. Radke ◽  
D.L. Karlen
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Double Ring ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Single Ring ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Surface Soil Properties ◽  
Infiltration Techniques

AbstractQuantitative data are needed to understand how alternative farming practices affect surface infiltration of water and associated surface soil properties. We used a rainfall simulator, double ring infiltrometer, small single ring infiltrometers, and tension infiltrometers to measure water infiltration for Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) and for Webster silty clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) soils located on a conventionally-managed and an alternatively-managed farm in central Iowa. Steady-state measurements suggested that infiltration rates were somewhat higher for the alternative farming system. Bulk densities were sometimes lower, and volume of large pores was a little higher for the alternative farming system. Small single rings were more reproducible than rainfall simulators or double ring infiltrometers, and data trends were the same as for rainfall simulators.

scholarly journals Pertanian Organik sebagai Salah Satu Konsep Pertanian Berkelanjutan

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132
Author(s):  
Yuriansyah Yuriansyah ◽  
Dulbari Dulbari ◽  
Hery Sutrisno ◽  
Arief Maksum
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Organic Farming System

Excessive use of inorganic chemicals results in adverse impacts on land and plants. In the midst of the community, there is anxiety about the high content of pesticide residues in agricultural products. There is a need to develop alternative farming systems that are able to produce quantities and quality of healthy products in a sustainable manner. One agricultural system that supports the concept is the organic farming system. The basic principles of organic farming are: (1) Keeping the ecosystem healthy, (2) Applying the principle of efficiency to the cultivation system, (3) Conducting production activities with the concept of sustainable agriculture, (4) Producing pesticide-free products, and (6) Maintaining environmental sustainability. Food Crop Production Study Program Lampung State Polytechnic makes Organic Agriculture as one of the leading competencies for its graduates. The establishment of the Organic Agriculture Business Unit on campus will increase student competencies, foster entrepreneurship, be a place for competency internships, and as an independent source of income.

A multi-criteria evaluation of the environmental performances of conventional, organic and integrated olive-growing systems in the south of Spain based on experts' knowledge

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Parra-López ◽  
Javier Calatrava-Requena ◽  
Tomás de-Haro-Giménez
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Implicit Assumption ◽  
The South ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Multi Criteria Evaluation ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Complex Decision Making

AbstractThe medium to long-term environmental performances of organic, integrated and conventional olive-growing systems in the average conditions of the south of Spain are evaluated and compared with respect to soil erosion, soil fertility, rational use of irrigation water, water contamination, atmospheric pollution and biodiversity, based on experts’ knowledge. The aim of the research was to test the common implicit assumption of environmental superiority of the two alternative farming systems over the conventional system. For this purpose, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a widely used multi-criteria decision-making tool, has been implemented. AHP enables us to deal with complex decision-making problems with multiple criteria, stakeholders and decision-makers, high uncertainty and risk, such as in the case of multi-criteria environmental comparison of alternative farming systems. Twenty experts in olive production, clustered into three groups according to their professional field of interest, were involved in the analysis. The utilization of experts' knowledge is justified when information relevant for urgent decision-making is not available, is partial or is time and resource demanding, and a holistic perspective is required. Indexes and procedures are proposed for group decision-making, to detect variation in expert opinions and differences between alternative systems' performances. Despite bias in the judgments of the groups of experts in some topics, results confirm the holistic environmental superiority of organic and integrated alternatives over the conventional olive system in Andalusia in the medium to long-term. The results represent a scientific base to justify and endorse institutional support regarding the promotion and implementation of organic and integrated olive-growing systems in the region, which are likely to result in greater social welfare.

Factors influencing the economic potential for alternative farming systems: Case analyses in South Dakota

1988 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L. Dobbs ◽  
Mark G. Leddy ◽  
James D. Smolik
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Economic Potential ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Alternative System ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Conventional Systems ◽  
Farm Program

AbstractResults of calculations on the economic potential for alternative (low input, sustainable) farming systems in a small grain-row crop region of the Northern Plains are reported. Two sets of alternative farming systems, in which no chemical fertilizers or herbicides are used, are compared with various conventional and reduced till systems. In Farming Systems Study I (FSS1), an alternative rotation consisting of oats, alfalfa, soybeans, and corn is compared with conventional and ridge till rotation systems composed of corn, soybeans, and spring wheat. In Farming Systems Study II (FSS2), three systems with an emphasis on small grains are compared. An alternative system rotation consisting of oats, sweet clover, soybeans, and spring wheat is compared with conventional and minimum till rotation systems comprised of soybeans, spring wheat, and barley. Results of baseline economic analyses show that alternative farming systems can be competitive with more conventional systems in at least some situations. The alternative systems entail markedly lower direct costs, and the alternative system in FSS2 has approximately the same net returns as the comparable conventional and minimum till systems. The FSS1 alternative system has positive but somewhat lower net returns than the comparable conventional and ridge till systems. Sensitivity analyses were conducted with alternative system crop yields, chemical fertilizer and herbicide prices, and varying assumptions about future Federal farm program support levels and acreage set aside requirements. The yield sensitivity analyses show that one alternative farming system requires yields about 5–10 percent above those of the comparable conventional system to produce the same net returns. However, the other alternative system is competitive with a conventional system even with yields 5 percent lower. Analyses varying chemical fertilizer and herbicide prices reveal that the alternative farming system in FSS1 becomes competitive with more conventional systems when fertilizer and herbicide prices rise by 50 percent. The alternative farming system in FSS2 is already competitive at current fertilizer and herbicide prices. In some cases, sensitivity analyses with Federal farm program provisions indicate that reductions in farm program benefits increase the economic competitiveness of alternative farming systems. However, important exceptions occur. Results indicate that not only the level of future farm program benefits, but also the form of program provisions and compliance requirements, will affect the relative competitiveness of alternative farming systems.

Optimal soil depletion with output and price uncertainty

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
SVERRE GREPPERUD
Keyword(s):  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Price Uncertainty ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Conservation Incentives ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Soil Depletion

This paper studies soil depletion incentives in a dynamic economic model under two different sources of revenue uncertainty (output and price risk). The focus is on the long-term effects of risk-averse preferences when farming decisions have implications for both expected short-run production and natural topsoil fertility. The analysis shows that the risk properties of the stock variable are crucial for the results arrived. The presence of risk preferences is found to improve soil conservation incentives in a low-input farming system, independent of the source of revenue risk considered. The only case for which soil conservation incentives are weakened is for high-input farming systems under price uncertainty.JEL classification: Q12, Q20, D81

scholarly journals BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE – OLD TRADITIONS AND MODERN PRACTICES

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (Suppl.1) ◽  
pp. 530-536
Author(s):  
Rositsa Beluhova-Uzunova ◽  
Dimo Atanasov
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Organic Systems ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
Biodynamic Agriculture

The concerns regarding food security and safety, environmental challenges and resource scarcity remodel the prospects of agriculture. Therefore biodynamic farming as an alternative method for sustainable production becomes an object of growing scientific interest in the past 20 years. Biodynamic farming is one of the oldest organic systems and its roots could be found in the beginning of 20th century. Although the skepticism, biodynamic agriculture evolved over the years and nowadays is considered as an opportunity to address various environmental, social and economic issues. The aim of the paper is to introduce the concept and features of biodynamic agriculture and observe different case studies and surveys on the effect of this farming system upon yields, profitability and sustainability. The analysis is based on different research methods. The paper applies monographic, historical and comparative methods. The results indicate that biodynamic farms have higher soil quality, lower crop yields, and equal or greater net returns than conventional agricultural holdings. The long-term effect of biodynamic farming on the economic performance, however, needs further research and investigation. The studies prove that biodynamic agriculture is important alternative farming system that could provide answers to number of alarming questions associated with viability and sustainable development.

Earthworm population dynamics under conservation tillage systems in south-eastern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Y. Chan ◽  
D. P. Heenan
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Aporrectodea Trapezoides ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Earthworm Population

Changes in earthworm abundance, biomass, and diversity were monitored under a range of tillage and stubble management practices in a wheat/alternative crop rotation over 5 years on a Sodosol (Alfisol) in southern New South Wales, Australia. There were 3 tillage and 2 stubble management practices in a completely randomised block design with 3 replications. The 3 tillage treatments were no-tillage (NT), 1 tillage pass (1T), and 3 tillage passes (3T). Stubble management practices were stubble retained (sr) and stubble burnt (sb). Positive responses of earthworm abundance and biomass to stubble retention (>2-fold increase) were evident in the second year and to both stubble and tillage in the third year. In the latter, abundance in NT/sr was 6.6 times that found under 3T/sb (239 v. 36/m2). Higher earthworm abundance in NT/sr compared with 3T/sb prevailed for the remaining duration of the experiment. However, a drastic decline in total population (to a mean of 31/m2) was observed in the fourth year in all the treatments and this was followed by further decline to a mean abundance of 4/m2 in the fifth year. The drastic decline in abundance was also accompanied by a shift in earthworm species composition. The earthworm population was originally dominated by the exotic Lumbrid, Aporrectodea trapezoides (Lumbricidae) (~100% in composition), but by the fifth year, Microscolex dubious (Acanthodrilidae) was the dominant species, making up 75% of the earthworm population in NT/sr. Improvement in soil quality as detected in the fifth year under a conservation tillage system compared with a conventional system included higher transmitting macropores, higher labile carbon, and water-stable aggregation. The reason for the decline in earthworm abundance was not clear but was unlikely related to changes in soil quality, wheat yield, and rainfall. Instead, we suggest that it was related to the changes in insecticide applications during the course of the experiment. The study highlights the importance of judicious use of chemicals in farming systems if earthworm presence is to be encouraged.

scholarly journals Termite-Induced Injuries to Maize and Baby Corn under Organic and Conventional Farming Systems in the Central Highlands of Kenya

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 367
Author(s):  
John J. Anyango ◽  
David Bautze ◽  
Komi K. M. Fiaboe ◽  
Zipporah O. Lagat ◽  
Anne W. Muriuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practice ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
High Input ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Organic And Conventional Farming ◽  
Input Level

Termite-induced injuries to maize and baby corn were evaluated in on-going comparison experiments on organic and conventional farming systems at two trial sites in the Central Highlands of Kenya (Chuka and Thika). The farming systems were established in 2007 at two input levels: Low input level, representing subsistence farming (Conv-Low, Org-Low) and high input level, representing commercial farming (Conv-High, Org-High). Termite-induced injuries to maize and baby corn, such as tunneling the stem or lodging the whole plant were assessed over two cropping seasons. The lodging occurred exclusively at Thika. It first became apparent in the Org-Low system, with most of lodging occurring during the vegetative stage. Baby corn grown under high input systems showed increasing lodging from the late vegetative crop stage and peaked before the final harvest. Tunneling was recorded at both sites, but was generally below 5%, with no significant differences between the farming systems. Overall, the injury patterns caused by termites appear to be a function of the plant growth stage, termite colony activities, trial site, and the types and levels of fertilizer input. Thus, the management practice used in each farming system (organic or conventional) might have greater influence on crop injuries than the type of farming system itself or the termite abundance within each system.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document