Long-Term Environmental and Economic Simulation of Alternative Cropping Systems in Maryland
| Autor: | K. Bradley Watkins, Yao-Chi Lu, John R. Teasdale |
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| Rok vydání: | 2002 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 20:61-82 |
| ISSN: | 1540-7578 1044-0046 |
| Popis: | No-tillage systems are used to control soil erosion and water runoff on sloping cropland, but these systems, which rely heavily on herbicides and commercial fertilizers, may contribute to nutrient and herbicide contamination of water, air, and other ecosystems. This study simulated the long-term economic and environmental impacts of using alternative grain production systems for control of soil erosion and/or reducing chemical inputs. The EPIC (Environmental Policy Integrated Climate) biological process simulation model was used to simulate crop yields, soil erosion, herbicide losses, nitrogen and phosphorus losses, and economic returns for six cropping systems over a 60-year period. The simulation results indicated that average gross margins were highest for a cover crop-based, no-tillage system corn/soybean (Zea mays L./Glycine max L. Mer.) rotation with zero preplant fertilizer nitrogen inputs (US$322/ha), a no-tillage corn/soybean rotation with recommended inputs (US$314/ha), and a two-year o... |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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