Four maize cropping systems 1990-1993: ecology and economics of the systems - a balance. [German

• Published in: Agrarforschung (Bern) Vol. 2
• Main Authors: Bigler F, Ammon H.U, Hoegger C, Jaeggi W, Schubiger F.X, Waldburger M, Walther U, Weisskopf P, Fried M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: 1995
• Subjects: abonos nitrogenados; analisis economico; analyse economique; aplicacion de abonos; biologia del suelo; biologie du sol; crop yield; cropping systems; desherbage; economic analysis; enemigos naturales; enfermedades de las plantas; engrais azote; ennemi naturel; environmental impact assessment; escarda; evaluacion del impacto ambiental; evaluation impact sur environnement; fertilisation; fertilizer application; insecte nuisible; insectos daninos; maladie des plantes; natural enemies; nitrogen fertilizers; pest insects; plant diseases; propiedades fisico quimicas suelo; propriete physicochimique du sol; rendement des cultures; rendimiento de cultivos; sistemas de cultivo; soil biology; soil chemicophysical properties; systeme de culture; weed control; zea mays
• ISSN: 1022-663X

Four maize cropping systems were evaluated by taking into account eight major groups of ecological and economic criteria (physical and biological soil parameters, nitrogen fertiliser application, weed control, diseases and insect pests, natural enemies, yield, economics). The aim of the evaluation was to present a number of criteria characteristic of the cropping systems and to discuss their ecological and economic values. The main advantages of drilling in rotovated bands, compared to the traditional system, is the protection of the soil from erosion and the reduced risk of water pollution by herbicides and nitrate. However, to obtain equal yields, the system with drilling in rotovated bands in meadow requires more nitrogen. Yet, the overall ecological advantages of this system outweigh this disadvantage.