Evaluation of Environmental and Economic Performance of Crop Production in Relation to Crop Rotation, Catch Crops, and Tillage

Abstract

Crop production constitutes a significant portion of the EU’s agricultural output and influences land use decisions. Various elements within the crop production system can significantly impact its outcomes. This paper aims to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of crop rotation, catch crops, and different tillage practices in Latvia by analyzing data from case studies, field trials, and field monitoring to identify the potential for improvement towards a more sustainable utilization of agricultural land. Environmental performance was evaluated by focusing on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), as it is likely to play a significant role in assessing the environmental suitability of crop production according to the Platform on Sustainable Finance. For economic performance, gross margins were calculated. Crop rotation in Latvia tends to be monotonous, with wheat and oilseed rape dominating over 60% of the cultivated area due to their profitability. The findings of this study indicate that achieving a minimum NUE of 70% is challenging. Crop rotations including oilseed rape, particularly the common wheat–oilseed rape rotation, have an average NUE below the threshold, while proper use of catch crops may increase NUE by 7–9%. The three-year field trials on commercial farms yielded divergent findings about the impact of various tillage practices on NUE and gross margin. However, the field trials conducted on the farm practicing reduced tillage for over ten years show higher NUE compared to ploughing. The advantage of reduced tillage was supported by the obtained results indicating lower costs of agrotechnical operations, including less diesel consumption.

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“…These findings emphasise the importance of proper tillage for achieving optimal results in agriculture, particularly in the context of maize production. Optimised tillage can improve not only soil structure, but also provide favourable conditions for plant growth and development, increasing their resistance to stress and contributing to yield growth (Taranenko et al, 2019;Auzins et al, 2023). Furthermore, considering the research of scientists such as I.M.…”

Yield, Protein Content and Water-Related Physiologies of Spring Wheat Affected by Fertilizer System and Weather Conditions

“…Increasing consumption of wheat-based foods is documented [11][12][13], attributed to the grains' beneficial components [14]-namely proteins, B, PP, E, K vitamins, and minerals such as K, Mg, and Cu-which boast significant health impacts [15]. Furthermore, incorporating wheat into crop rotations diminishes the prevalence of harmful agents like diseases, weeds, and pests, thereby enhancing soil health [16,17].…”