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Eco-efficient choice of cropping system for reducing nitrate-N leaching in an agricultural watershed

Author

Listed:
  • Emmanuel K. Yiridoe

    (Dalhousie University (Agricultural Campus))

  • Frederick Amon-Armah

    (Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (Social Science and Statistics Unit))

  • Dale Hebb

    (Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre)

  • Rob Jamieson

    (Dalhousie University)

Abstract

Eco-efficiency analysis framework was used to evaluate joint economic and environmentally optimal N application rates for alternative cropping systems managed in a watershed in Atlantic Canada. Eco-efficiency indexes were estimated as the ratio of economic returns from N fertilizer application to groundwater-N leaching associated with crop production. Trade-offs between crop yield and associated reduction in groundwater-N leaching were also estimated. Data for the analysis were generated using the soil and water analysis tool modeling, and allowed for evaluating crop yield and groundwater-N leaching effects for a given crop in rotations assumed to be managed at varying N fertilizer application rates. The cropping systems evaluated included: (i) corn-based cropping systems involving corn–corn–alfalfa–alfalfa–alfalfa (CCAAA, and CCCAA) rotations; (ii) potato-based cropping systems involving potato–corn–barley–potato–corn (PCBPC and PBWPC); and (iii) vegetable-horticulture cropping system involving potato–winter wheat–carrot–corn. Cropping systems were compared under conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) systems. Estimated eco-efficient N fertilizer rates were substantially lower than current provincial nutrient management plan (NMP)-recommended rates, and estimated maximum economic rate of nitrogen fertilizer. However, the actual amounts depended on the crop and rotation system. CCAAA-CT was the eco-efficient choice of rotation system among the corn-based cropping systems considered. Similarly, PCBPC-CT was the eco-efficient choice among the potato-based production systems. In addition, when the NMP-recommended N rate was replaced by the eco-efficient rate for the vegetable horticulture cropping system, the eco-efficient cropping system shifted from a rotation involving CT to a NT system.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel K. Yiridoe & Frederick Amon-Armah & Dale Hebb & Rob Jamieson, 2017. "Eco-efficient choice of cropping system for reducing nitrate-N leaching in an agricultural watershed," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 201-221, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbioec:v:19:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s10818-016-9242-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10818-016-9242-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Eco-efficiency; Agriculture sustainability; Nitrogen fertilizer; Nitrate-N pollution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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