Analysis of plant nutrient management strategies: Conventional and alternative approaches

Abstract

During times of economic uncertainty, such as the current period, all costs of agricultural production become important and worthy of close scrutiny if the threat of farm foreclosures is to be minimized. This concern particularly applies to the cost of plant nutrients, which, under conventional approaches, typically represents 24% -30% (or more) of the total variable costs of production [Lu et al. (2000) Food Reviews International 16(2): 121-157; Bullen and Brown (2001) Economic Evaluation of UNR Cotton, NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina]. The purpose of this paper is to examine, via a review of the literature, the economics and profitability of various plant nutrient management strategies -both conventional and alternative ones -in an attempt to identify those strategies that can lead to financial resource optimization and, ultimately, maximum profits for farm enterprises. The results of this analysis are as follows: In a meta-analysis of 120 studies, conventional nutrient management systems, using commercial fertilizers, showed higher profit for most grain crops (with the exception of corn and sorghum), than organic nutrient management systems. Both cover crop and animal manure-based systems show considerable promise as alternative nutrient management strategies for increasing farm profitability. A cover crop system produced the highest average corn yield and gross margin per hectare with the smallest coefficient of variation compared to no-tillage conventional, manure-based, or crownvetch systems. Manure-based systems that do not require purchase or transport of the manure (as in combined animal and crop production systems) can be considerably more profitable than conventional systems. Both manure-based and cover crop systems that do not include the use of commercial fertilizers (i.e., organic systems), hold particular promise due to the output price premiums typically garnered by the organic crops grown under such conditions.

Soil Fertility and Potato Production as Affected by Conventional and Organic Farming Systems

“…Immature compost may take nitrogen from the soil in order to complete the composting process, causing nitrogen deficiencies in plants (Hochmuth, et al, 2000). Animal manures as well as cover cropping have been shown to be successful organic fertilizers (Gareau, 2004;Munoz, et al, 2005). Riffaldi, (1988), examined water extracts of fresh and 3-month stabilized FYM.…”

Effect van mest op de biologische bodemkwaliteit in de Zeeuwse akkerbouw

“…Stikstoftekort is een belangrijke reden dat de gewasopbrengst van volledig biologische bedrijven vaak wat lager is. Daar kunnen lagere kosten tegenover staan (Mäder et al 2002;Gareau et al 2004). …”

Composted Cattle Manure as a Nitrogen Source for Sugar Beet Production

“…During times of economic uncertainty and decline, all costs of agricultural production including fertilizers become important and require re-evaluation. As Gareau (2004) suggested in their meta-analysis study, manure-based systems that incur no or minimal cost of purchase and transport can be considerably more profitable than conventional systems.…”