scholarly journals Evaluation of Sustainability of Maize Cultivation in Poland. A Prospect Theory—PROMETHEE Approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 4263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Król ◽  
Jerzy Księżak ◽  
Elżbieta Kubińska ◽  
Stelios Rozakis

This study aims at exploiting research outcomes concerning tillage practices in order to make solutions available to farmers to mitigate negative environmental impact to soils. Two alternative practices have been analysed against conventional full tillage based on data provided by a long-term experiment conducted at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG) farm in Grabów, Central Poland. Reduced Tillage and Direct Sowing are evaluated against Full Tillage on the basis of socio-economic and environmental criteria. Multi-criteria decision analysis undertaken using the PROMETHEE method provided evidence that the ‘optimal’ maize cultivation system depends on the decision maker’s viewpoint and preferences. In fact, criteria selected and related weights elicited from representative farmers, as well as from an expert agronomist, reveal different viewpoints. Direct sowing was the most preferable for the large farm and expert perspective, whereas in case of small farm reduced tillage ranked first. Prospect theory developed by behavioural economists was incorporated to take into account decision biases. As a matter of fact, based on Prospect Theory-PROMETHEE from the small farm and the expert perspective, the conventional system was now ranked first, while for the large farm, the most preferable practice was still direct sowing.

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 435-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bojarszczuk Jolanta ◽  
KSIĘŻAK Jerzy ◽  
GAŁĄZKA Anna

The aim of the study was to compare soil respiration depending on different agricultural practices before sowing of maize (Zea mays L.). Results of the study were derived from the field experiment that was carried out in 2013–2015; the research indicates that soil respiration depends on cultivation method. The highest soil respiration was recorded in maize cultivation in monoculture using full tillage. The simplifications in maize cultivation caused a decrease of soil respiration, especially in direct sowing. The lowest level of this parameter was recorded in monoculture in direct sowing. Compared with other treatments, such as direct sowing, reduced tillage and crop rotation, soil respiration was higher by 65, 55 and 12%, respectively. The statistically significant differences in soil respiration in the tested agricultural practices were observed in the first date of measurement in all years of the study. The higher soil respiration values were noted in autumn. The yield of maize correlated with soil respiration, but stronger relationship was noted between soil respiration and grain yield of maize than straw yield. The simple regression analysis showed no linear relationship between soil respiration and evaporation, changes in soil moisture and biochemical parameters such as soil dehydrogenase activity, acid and alkaline phosphatase.


2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemtos T.A ◽  
C. Cavalaris ◽  
Vl. Demis ◽  
D. Pateras ◽  
Chr. Tsidari

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shokoofeh Khorami ◽  
Seyed Kazemeini ◽  
Sadegh Afzalinia ◽  
Mahesh Gathala

Natural resources are the most limiting factors for sustainable agriculture in Iran. Traditional practices are intensive tillage that leads to a negative impact on crop productivity and soil properties. Conservation agriculture including tillage reductions, better agronomy, and improved varieties, showed encouraging results. The goal of this study was to test combined effect of tillage practices and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes on soil properties as well as crop and water productivity. The experiment was conducted at Zarghan, Fars, Iran during 2014–2016. Experimental treatments were three-tillage practices—conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no tillage (NT)—and four wheat genotypes were randomized in the main and subplots, respectively using split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed NT had higher soil bulk density at surface soil, thereby lower cumulative water infiltration. The lowest soil organic carbon and total nitrogen were obtained under CT that led to the highest C:N ratio. Reduced tillage produced higher wheat yield and maize (Zea mays L.) biomass. Maximum irrigation water was applied under CT, which leads lower water productivity. The findings are based on short-term results, but it is important to evaluate medium- and long-term effects on soil properties, crop yields and water use in future.


2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 207-220
Author(s):  
MM Alam ◽  
MA Momin

This study was conducted to identify the technical and economical performance of the existing models of maize sheller in the country and suggest the best maize sheller models for the farmers during 3 September 2006 to 30 March 2007 in the area of Bogra, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi and Jessore. Detail field tests were conducted on seven selected maize sheller models of three categories to assess the comparative performance. Three basic designs of maize sheller models were identified through field survey and secondary information. The models were Spike-pinion (SP) type, Spiral rasp-bar cylinder (SBC) type and Parallel rasp-bar cylinder (PBC) type. The technical performances of the selected maize sheller models were evaluated on the basis of throughput capacity, shelling capacity, cylinder loss, separating loss, broken kernel and shelling efficiency. The shelling capacity and efficiency of Binimoy and Sarker spike-pinion (SP) type models were found about 0.45 ton/hr and 93%, respectively. Similarly, the shelling capacities and efficiencies of Farida, Rahman and Uttaran spiral rasp-bar cylinder (SBC) models were ranged between 2.8 to 4.0 ton/hr and 93 to 97%, respectively. Farida parallel rasp-bar (PBC) type maize sheller had shown incredible shelling efficiency of about 99% with almost negligible cylinder (0.25%) and separating (0.25%) losses along with lowest broken kernel (2.5%) percentage. However, the shelling capacity was found comparatively low about 1.9 ton/hr. The shelling costs, benefit-cost ratios and net margins of spiral rasp-bar cylinder models vary between Tk. 91-97/ton, 1.28-1.37 and Tk78-134/hr, respectively. Among the models Farida (SBC) appeared as the most economic one having lowest shelling cost of Tk. 91/ton with the highest benefit-cost ratio of 1.37 and net margin of Tk. 134/hr (determined at a custom-hire rate of Tk. 7 per 40 kg of shelled kernel). Comparative economic uses of the selected maize shellers suggest that the use of hand sheller is beneficial up to an annual use of 13 ton. Whereas, Binimoy (SP) and Sarker (SP) models are economic for annual use between 13 and 30 ton, and Farida (SBC), Rahman (SBC) and Uttaran (SBC) models are economic for shelling over 30 ton per annum. Economic analysis suggest that hand sheller could be beneficial for very small farm holdings, Binimoy (SP) and Sarker (SP) models for small farm holdings and Farida (SBC), Rahman (SBC) and Uttaran (SBC) models for medium to large farm holdings and custom-hire service.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v20i1-2.16873 Progress. Agric. 20(1 & 2): 207 – 220, 2009


1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Radford ◽  
AJ Key ◽  
LN Robertson ◽  
GA Thomas

We compared 4 tillage practices (traditional, stubble mulch, reduced, no tillage) during 10 years under rainfed conditions on an alluvial soil in the semi-arid subtropics of central Queensland. In the final 4 years, responses to applied fertiliser nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn) were determined. We measured soil water storage, soil nitrate accumulation, grain yield (sorghum, wheat), grain protein content, and populations of soil macrofauna, with the aim of identifying soil-conserving practices that also produce high yields of high quality grain. Stubble mulch, reduced tillage, and no tillage all outyielded traditional tillage when soil fertility was adequate. With applied N, S, and Zn, the mean wheat yields from traditional, stubble mulch, reduced, and no tillage were 2.44, 3.32, 3.46, and 3.64 t/ha, respectively. The yield responses to tillage practices were due to increases in storage of soil water or efficiency of crop water use or both. Populations of soil macrofauna averaged (per m2) 19 (traditional tillage), 21 (stubble mulch), 33 (reduced tillage), and 44 (no tillage). The effect of the tillage practices on soil animal populations may be a factor contributing to the measured differences in soil water storage and water use efficiency. We conclude that conservation tillage practices can greatly increase grain yields, provided crop and fallow management practices are appropriate. Potential yield advantages are realised if crop establishment, crop nutrition; and control of weeds, bests, and diseases ark adequate.


2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Kelton ◽  
Andrew J. Price ◽  
Michael G. Patterson ◽  
C. Dale Monks ◽  
Edzard van Santen

Amaranthuscontrol in cotton can be difficult with the loss of glyphosate efficacy, especially in conservation-tillage cropping systems. Research was conduction from 2006 to 2008 at EV Smith Research Center, Shorter, AL, to determine the level of glyphosate-susceptibleAmaranthuscontrol provided by four initial tillage and herbicide treatments, including 1) moldboard plowing followed by a single-pass disking and field cultivation plus pendimethalin at 1.2 kg ai ha−1preplant incorporation (PPI), 2) two-pass disking followed by field cultivation plus pendimethalin at 1.2 kg ha−1PPI, 3) no tillage including an application of pendimethalin at 1.2 kg ha−1PRE, or 4) no tillage without pendimethalin in 2006. No further tillage practices or pendimethalin applications were utilized after study initiation. Initial tillage operations, including inversion with disking or disking twice, resulted inAmaranthusdensity of ≤ 4 plants m−2and 47 to 82% control, whereas no-tillage treatments had ≥ 4 plants m−2and 14 to 62% control. Subsequent applications of PRE herbicides included fluometuron at 1.68 kg ai ha−1or prometryn at 1.12 kg ai ha−1and provided 53 to 98% and 55 to 93% control, respectively, and reducedAmaranthusdensity compared to no PRE herbicide to < 2 plants m−2, regardless of tillage treatment. A POST application of glyphosate at 1.0 kg ae ha−1improved control in conjunction with almost all treatments in each year. Results indicate that a one-time tillage operation followed by a return to reduced tillage may aid in the reduction ofAmaranthusdensity when used with PRE-applied herbicides; however, this system will likely not provide adequate control when high population densities of glyphosate-resistantAmaranthusare present, thus highlighting the need for a highly efficacious POST herbicide system.


Author(s):  
Zuzanna Jarosz ◽  
Jerzy Księżak ◽  
Antoni Faber

The aim of the study was to assess the greenhouse gases emissions in different maize cultivation systems in monoculture compared to its cultivation in crop rotation systems. To assess the GHG emissions the Biograce 4 public calculator was used. Assessments were conducted for various maize cultivation systems in the years 2013-2014 in the two IUNG experimental stations: RZD Grabów and SD Baborówko. The results showed that the values of GHG emissions in maize – taking into account allocation of emissions to by-products – were determined mainly by the yield. In SD Baborówko the emission values ranged from 14.2 to 19.5 g CO2 eq/kg/MJ of bioethanol, irrespectively of the cultivation system, and were lower than the standard value. In RZD Grabów only maize cultivated in monoculture in reduced tillage and maize cultivated in 2014 in ploughing system and crop rotation may be used for bioethanol production.


1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Brandenburg ◽  
D. A. Herbert ◽  
G. A. Sullivan ◽  
G. C. Naderman ◽  
S. F. Wright

Abstract Reduced tillage peanut production is gaining popularity and the impact of this practice on insect pests is not well understood. This study monitored thrips (Frankliniella fusca Hinds) damage and abundance on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in North Carolina and Virginia on peanuts grown under different tillage regimes from 1986-92. A general trend for less thrips damage in reduced tillage plots was consistent in all years except 1992 in North Carolina. In many instances, damage to plants in reduced tillage peanuts was significantly less than in a conventionally tilled system. The implications for future pest management strategies involving reduced pesticide use as well as research needs to meet these goals are discussed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad B. Godsey ◽  
Jeffrey Vitale ◽  
Phil G. Mulder ◽  
Jon-Joseph Q. Armstrong ◽  
John P. Damicone ◽  
...  

Abstract Oklahoma growers have increased their adoption of strip tillage (strip-till) and no tillage (no-till) systems as a means of reducing production costs and conserving soil resources. An experiment was conducted over three years to study the effects of three tillage systems [(conventional till (CT), no-till (NT), and strip-till (ST)] on pod yield, peanut grade, pest pressure, and economic profitability. Insect, disease, and weed incidence were determined in each year of the study. Peanut yield and grade were determined by mechanically harvesting the plot. No consistent differences were detected between NT and CT in peanut grade or yield when tillage systems were combined across years. In addition, no consistent differences were observed in disease incidence and insect populations. Economic analysis indicated that the NT system saved $93 ha−1 and generated $179 ha−1 more revenue compared to the CT system. Reduced tillage practices, especially NT, seem to be a good fit for SW peanut production areas.


2016 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 91-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toby J. Townsend ◽  
Stephen J. Ramsden ◽  
Paul Wilson

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