bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The question of good science
Authors: Ikerd John E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractResearch serves different purposes for scientists and for farmers, and the two groups evaluate research results differently. Scientists are mainly concerned about the chance that they have reached an incorrect conclusion, while farmers are mainly concerned about the chunce they will make an incorrect decision based on the results. Research conducted by farmers on their own farms can be more directly applicable to other farmers' conditions than experiment station research, and therefore can reduce the risk of an incorrect decision.
Agricultural policy debates: Examining the alternative and conventional perspectives
Authors: Beus Curtis E. , Dunlap Riley E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractControl of agricultural policymaking by the “agricultural establishment” has been challenged by a wide range of interests concerned with the externalities of modern industrialized agriculture. An “externalities/alternatives” or “ex/al” coalition appears to be an emerging force in agricultural policy debates. We surveyed three alternative agriculture groups, three conventional agriculture groups, and a statewide sample of farmers to learn whether each category forms a distinct, unified interest group whose perspectives on agricultural policy diverge substantially from the others'. There is considerable similarity among the alternative agriculture groups and among the conventional agriculture groups, the differences between them being much greater than the differences within each category. The statewide farmer sample is generally intermediate between the two sets of interest groups, but is closer to the conventional perspective on most issues.
Farmers' use of validity cues to evaluate reports of field-scale agricultural research
Authors: Walter Gerry 
Published: October 2009

AbstractOn-farm and farmer-directed research is claimed to lack validity when produced by methods that limit the generalizability of its results. However, farmers may consider such findings sufficiently valid for use in agricultural production even though agricultural scientists may not consider them scientifically valid. A general social-psychological theory of knowledge and information processing called lay epistemology suggests that farmers may assess the validity of any research report by its plausibility in relation to their knowledge and experience. Other communication research suggests that readers will look for cues to help them decide whether the research and findings are valid and useful.To identify validity cues used by farmers in evaluating production research reports, we asked 56 Illinois cash-grain farmers to mark phrases and other items that influenced their confidence in a popularized research report and to explain the reasons for each mark. The kinds of validity cues that farmers used or sought had little relationship to their personal or enterprise characteristics. The researcher's name, location and affiliation were critical cues, but information on the methods and results were no more important than data about costs, risks, growing conditions, and longer term outcomes. Plausibility plays a key role when farmers decide whether production research is valid. It would be useful to farmers if research reports included more information about the system being studied, such as its costs and risks, along with data on the research methods used.
Is sustainable agriculture an elixir for rural communities?
Authors: Lasley Paul , Hoiberg Eric , Bultena Gordon 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe transformation of agriculture according to an industrial model has had clear benefits in improving efficiency and lowering production costs, but also has had adverse consequences on rural culture and the environment. Sustainable agriculture offers alternative practices and values intended to promote environmental stewardship, conserve resources, preserve farm traditions, and support rural communities. Strong arguments can be made that it will have these consequences, based on the interactions among agricultural structure, rural community viability, and environmental quality. However, counterarguments can also be made, and the claimed benefits of sustainable agriculture for rural communities must be regarded as not yet demonstrated.
Infiltration as a tool for detecting soil changes due to cropping, tillage, and grazing livestock
Authors: Radke J.K. , Berry E.C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSoil physical and biological properties often change when different cropping, tillage, or management systems are imposed. Changes occasionally occur quickly, but usually become evident only after months or years. Infiltration rates are affected by several soil properties and may provide the most sensitive indication of changes in soil properties. To evaluate the use of infiltration measurements for detecting changes in soil properties, we conducted infiltration tests on a cropping systems experiment, a tillage experiment, and two beef cattle grazing experiments. In Pennsylvania, significant changes in infiltration rates did not occur until more than four years after converting from a conventional to a low-input cropping system. Infiltration rates were higher on 14th-year no-till plots compared with moldboard plow and chisel treatments in an Iowa tillage study. Earthworm populations and activity were highest in the no-till treatment. Infiltration rates correlated negatively with increased stocking rates in a long-term beef grazing study in Oklahoma. The number of earthworms did not correlate positively with infiltration in this study, suggesting a complex interaction. A short-term study of overwinter beef corn-stalk grazing in Iowa did not show consistent patterns in infiltration rate or other soil properties with different stocking rates. Infiltration appears to be a good indicator of soil structural changes associated with cropping, tillage, and management systems.
Agronomic and economic potential of sustainable agriculture in South India
Authors: van der Werf Erik 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe development of sustainable agriculture in India has been limited by the absence of data on the agricultural and economic viability of ecological agriculture and its longterm prospects. This paper describes a two-year study of seven farm pairs, each consisting of one ecological and one comparable conventional reference farm. The ecological farms differed significantly from the conventional farms in the number of crops grown, the dependence of crop activities on external nutrients, and the number of techniques used to maintain soil fertility and create plant diversity. No significant economic differences were found. Gross income, variable costs, gross margin and net cash income per hectare were in the same range for the two groups of farms. The two groups were similar in average yields for major crops, days of labor per hectare, and total returns per day of labor.
Identifying suitable regions for amaranth production using a geographic information systems approach
Authors: Myers Robert L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAmaranth is an alternative grain crop that shows significant promise in the U.S. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to analyze the most suitable regions for growing amaranth in Missouri. GIS software provides tools to manipulate and display geographically based information, in this case the factors affecting amaranth's suitability. Of several such factors considered, the ones used were soils, rainfall, sorghum production, disease potential, and labor availability. Soil, rainfall, and disease information were assumed to be direct factors in yield potential. Current sorghum production areas were considered likely areas for amaranth production, given the similarities between the crops. Labor availability also was assumed to affect adoption, since amaranth requires more labor than traditional grain crops. The analysis showed that central and southeastern Missouri would be the most favorable areas for amaranth production. Other suitable areas are along the Mississippi and Missouri river valleys and in western Missouri. This GIS approach can be modified to include additional factors and refinements, and could be used with other alternative crops or for other regions of the country.
Energy and economic savings from the use of legume cover crops in Virginia corn production
Authors: Ess D.R. , Vaughan D.H. , Luna J.M. , Sullivan P.G. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractEnergy analysis provides a measure of the effectiveness of sustainable agricultural systems in reducing inputs purchased from off-farm sources. This study compares the total (direct plus indirect) energy costs of growing corn for silage using manufactured N fertilizer or N-fixing legume cover crops. The cover crop either was killed with herbicide in a no-till system or disked in the spring. Economically competitive alternative crop production practices are identified.In both the no-till and the disked versions, cover-cropped treatments used about half as much energy per hectare as the corresponding winter fallow N-fertilizer treatments. Using vetch to provide N significantly lowered energy use per unit of crop output compared with the N-fertilized treatments. For the treatments that used hairy vetch, either alone or in combination with big/lower vetch, net revenue was statistically equivalent to that of standard-practice treatments in each year of the study.
The relative sustainability of alternative, conventional, and reduced-till farming systems
Authors: Smolik James D. , Dobbs Thomas L. , Rickerl Diane H. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe compared the agronomic, economic, and ecological performance of alternative (organic), conventional, and reduced-till farming systems over a 7-year period. We evaluated the sustainability of the various systems regarding several concerns, including soil erosion, pollution potential, whole-farm productivity, energy use, environmental stress, economic performance, and farm size. The alternative systems relied primarily on forage legumes (alfalfa or clover) as substitutes for the pesticides and commercial fertilizers used in the other systems.Two studies were established in northeastern South Dakota in 1985. Study I emphasized row crops, Study II small grains. The alternative system in Study I, which included alfalfa hay in the rotation, was the most productive, both agronomically and economically. In Study II, the alternative system included a green manure crop (clover) in the 4-year rotation and had the lowest agronomic production; however, its economic performance was similar to the conventional system's. Year-to-year variability in production was lowest in the alternative systems. The alternative systems in both studies were the most energy-efficient, and the reduced-till systems the least. Judged by the distribution of nitrate-N in the soil profile, the potential for groundwater pollution was higher in the conventional and reduced-till systems in Study I than in the alternative system.The alternative systems in both studies depended less on government payments for their profitability. Results in Study I also showed that more widespread adoption of alternative systems would tend to halt or slow the trend of ever-increasing farm size. These studies suggest that alternative systems are more sustainable in this agro-climatic area.
The effect of rock phosphate-enriched compost on the yield and phosphorus nutrition of rye grass
Authors: Singh C.P. , Amberger A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe evaluated the effect of compost enriched with rock phosphate on the yield and phosphate nutrition of rye grass in a calcareous clay loam soil. Enriched compost was prepared by composting either Mussoorie rock phosphate (MP) or Hyper rock phosphate (HP) separately with wheat straw for up to 120 days. A significant amount of insoluble P was solubilized from both kinds of rock phosphates and converted to water soluble, organic, and formic acid soluble P fractions during composting. MP-enriched compost (MPEC) and HP-enriched compost (HPEC) contain 0.30% and 0.34% water soluble P205, 1.94% and 1.42% organic P2O5 2.82% and 3.28% formic acid soluble P2O5, and 1.76% and 1.18% insoluble P2O5, respectively. In a greenhouse study, the yield of ryegrass (three cuttings) with both enriched composts was not significantly different from that of single superphosphate fertilizer (SSP). Phosphorus fractions of soil before sowing and after harvesting the rye grass showed that fixation of P with native soil calcium was much higher with SSP than with enriched composts. No significant differences were observed between MRP and HRP.
Economics of widespread manure application to irrigated crops: Raw and composted feedlot manure in eastern Colorado
Authors: Wang Erda , Sparling Ed 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe used linear programming to simulate adoption of manure disposal technologies in eastern Colorado. Manure, either raw or composted, is assumed to be applied to irrigated cropland within 20 miles of feedlots in five subregions of eastern Colorado. We constrained the application so that total N application is no more than the amount used by the crop. N, P and K contents are taken into account, but no benefits are assigned to organic matter or trace minerals and no costs are assigned to soil compaction, weed seed propagation, or inconvenience. Irrigated land within 10 miles of feedlots can easily absorb all manure generated under this scenario. Manure is found to be an economical substitute for chemical fertilizers, assuming N content to be at least 50% that of fresh manure. Composted manure is either more or less profitable than raw manure, depending on its N content. Hauling costs are lower for compost, but composting costs are between $1 and $2 per finished ton. The model does not allow for mixed application of compost and chemical fertilizers, which would increase the value of compost significantly. A feedlot waste sector that composted all feedlot manure in eastern Colorado is predicted to create between 80 and 200 additional jobs.
Soil and water conservation and improved crop management effects on watershed productivity in Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Vittal K.P.R. , Das S.K. , Katyal J.C. , Munikrishnaiah N. , Reddy M. Rajender 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSoil and water conservation and improved crop management programs were initiated in 1983 to increase the productivity of a dryland vertisol watershed in the state of Andhra Pradesh in the semi-arid tropical region of India. This was one of 47 model watersheds developed by the Government of India. The integrated program consisted of measures to conserve soil and water, such as a percolation tank, grading, checks, and deep tillage, on which were superimposed improved crop management practices (e.g., cultivars, fertilizers, and timeliness in operations), carried out with the farmers' cooperation and partial payment. All participants were surveyed in 1983, before starting the program, and 1988, after completing the program. The equilibrium water levels in open wells increased about 50 cm, which allowed sugarcane to be introduced. About 10% additional area was reclaimed and cultivated after construction of a diversion dam. Fodder supply improved because of the growth of natural grasses on terraces formed by stone checks in waterways. Soil and water conservation efforts reduced runoff about 26%. Ground cover increased by 38% because of increased cropping intensity, and income per capita grew by 67% per year. Thus, the integrated approach conserved natural resources and improved productivity.
Organic farmers and conventional distribution systems: The recent expansion of the organic food market in Denmark
Authors: Michelsen Johannes 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn 1993, a breakthrough occurred for sales of organic food products in conventional supermarkets in Denmark. Since then, sales have increased markedly and consumers now have a choice between organic and conventional food products in nearly all supermarkets. This success owes much to the intense efforts of three main groups since the mid-1980s. First, organic farmers have increased production and successfully managed economic and organizational problems. Second, the Danish State has supported sales of organic products and farmers' conversion to organic farming by supporting marketing and product innovation and by organizing producers. Third, the largest Danish supermarket chain has contributed by its steady demand for organic products since 1981. Today, all major supermarkets in Denmark are supplied by conventional distributors that handle the products of small organic producer organizations. For nearly two years the system has kept up the positive effects of a market expansion process that was initiated by a major advertising campaign and a modest drop in consumer prices.
Effects of free-range chickens and geese on insect pests and weeds in an agroecosystem
Authors: Clark M. Sean , Gage Stuart H. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe evaluated the effects of free-range chickens and geese on insect pests and weeds in an experimental, nonchemical agroecosystem consisting of an apple orchard with intercropped potatoes. The objective was to assess the potential of these domestic bird species as biological control agents. Four insect pests were studied: plum curculio, apple maggot, Japanese beetle, and Colorado potato beetle. Chickens fed on several potential crop pests, including Japanese beetle. Although Japanese beetles were less abundant on apple trees when chickens were present, the proportion of damaged fruit was not reduced. Furthermore, chickens did not affect weed abundance or crop productivity. In contrast, geese were effective weeders. Their activities reduced weed abundance and increased potato plant growth and yields compared with a minimally weeded control. In addition, the activities of geese indirectly reduced apple fruit damage by plum curculio and increased the proportion of pest-free fruit, possibly because removal of vegetation by the geese reduced humidity at the soil surface and therefore reduced the activity of plum curculio.
Farming systems and conservation needs in the Northwest Wheat Region
Authors: Papendick R.I. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe Northwest Wheat Region is a contiguous belt of 3.3 million ha in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Its climate varies from subhumid (<650 mm annual precipitation) to semiarid (<350 mm), with more than 60% of the annual precipitation occurring during the winter. Winter wheat yields range from a high of 8 t/ha in the wetter zones to a low of 1.5 t/ha in the drier zones. Winter wheat is grown in rotation with spring cereals and pulses where annual precipitation exceeds 450 mm; winter wheat-fallow prevails where annual precipitation is less than 330 mm. Tillage practices are designed to maximize infiltration and retention of water through soil surface and crop residue management. Because of the combination of winter precipitation, steep topography, and winter wheat cropping, much of the region is subject to a severe water erosion hazard, accentuated by freeze-thaw cycles that increase surface runoff and weaken the soil structure. Wind erosion is a major problem in the drier zones, where cover is less and soils are higher in sand. Residue management, primarily through reduced tillage and no-till systems, is the first defense against both wind and water erosion, but yields often are higher with conventional intensive ti llage. Factors that limit yields with conservation farming include weed and disease problems and th e lack of suitable tillage and seeding equipment. Conservation strategies must shift from relying on traditional tillage methods to development of complete no-till systems. Spring cropping as a replacement for winter wheat also needs to be investigated. In some cases, tillage for water conservation must be made compatible with tillage for erosion control.
Crop traits for water stress tolerance
Authors: Donaldson Edwin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractCultivars vary considerably in how they respond to moisture stress throughout crop development. In areas of the Pacific Northwest with less than 250 mm of annual rainfall, win ter wheat is under moisture stress most of the time from planting to harvest. Cultivars must be ab le to absorb moisture, germinate, and emerge under high temperature, poor seed zone moisture, and deep seed cover. Moisture stress slows emergence and seedling development and reduces most yield components, including number of tillers, seeds per spike, seeds per unit area, seed size, and seed weight per unit volume. Additionally, leaf senescence and maturity are earfy under moisture stress conditions. A cultivar cannot obtain its potential yield with less than adequate moisture; therefore, under moisture stress fewer tillers and seeds are produced. Which plant structures are reduced is determined by the growth stage of the plant during stress, while the extent of this reduction is determined by the severity of moisture stress and the genotype of the cultivar.
Managing vertebrates in cover crops: A first study
Authors: Smallwood K. Shawn 
Published: October 2009

AbstractLittle is known of how vertebrate pest and beneficial species respond to cover crops in vineyards and orchards. During spring 19941 interviewed 22 people who work with cover crops in California and searched for vertebrates and their signs in 36 field plots where cover crops were grown. Farmers usually relaxed concern for vertebrate pests after planting cover crops. But cover crops were thought to increase venebrate damage to trees and vines when planted continuously across the rows or grown in orchards and vineyards less than three years old. Vertebrates usually were not abundant or harmful to the commercial crops and cover crops I examined. Gophers were most abundant in older, uneven, scrappy, or weedy cover crops. They preferred beneficial and insectary blends and Cahaba white vetch, and were least abundant in grasses, subclover mixes, and bur medic. Voles preferred nontillage clover mixes, but avoided bare ground under vine and tree rows. All small mammals were more numerous near streams and recently tilled fields. Cover crops attracted many predatory vertebrates, which improve the aesthetic quality of the farm and might keep animal damage to economically acceptable levels. Cover crops can contribute to wildlife conservation in California, especially if the area in cover crops continues to increase.
Dryland farming research in Egypt: Strategies for developing a more sustainable agriculture
Authors: El-Beltagy Adel , Hamdi Youssef , El-Gindy Mohsen , Hussein Awad , Abou-Hadid Ayman 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDeveloping and implementing water management strategies is imperative for achieving food self reliance in Egypt. Key elements of the strategy for increasing total value added from agriculture must be directed at enhancing efficiency of water use for crop production. This should be complemented by measures to ensure the efficient use and improvement of developed and undeveloped land resources. We examine the need to shift from supply management policies to demand management policies to optimize water use by fanners. Key features for sustainable development of agricultural water management include: greater investment; infusion of modern, appropriate technologies; building an adequate physical and institutional infrastructure; development of human resources and expertise; intensified cooperation and linkages; and technology development. Communities should be involved in reversing the trend from supply-driven to demand-oriented policies. This should be compatible with consideration of social dimensions.