Pulse-included diverse crop rotations improved the systems economic profitability: evidenced in two 4-year cycles of rotation experiments

Abstract

In the recent past, pulse crops have become increasingly important to agricultural producers as they contribute significantly to the economy. However, the research surrounding the economics of pulse crops is limited. This study determined the net returns and risks of 14 different rotations with various frequencies and sequences of pulse crops and quantified the long-term economic effects. An 8-year field experiment (two 4-year rotation cycles) was carried out at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and Brooks, Alberta, Canada, during 2010–2019. The crops in the rotation included spring and durum wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (W), field pea (Pisum sativum L.) (P), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) (C), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) (L), and Oriental mustard (Brassica juncea L.) (M). Net revenue was estimated and a simulation model was used to conduct the risk-return analysis. Net revenue was significantly different among the 14 rotations, where rotations with either high frequencies of lentil or diverse crops generated the highest net income. More diverse rotations such as P-M-L-W or L-C-P-W provided net income that were statistically comparable to the L-L-L-W rotation and were significantly greater than wheat monoculture systems. Risk analysis suggested that neutral or slightly risk averse producers may select rotations with higher frequencies of lentils, whereas more risk averse producers may prefer more diverse rotations. Inclusion of pulses in a rotation as preceding crops had a positive economic impact on the following non-pulse crops and reduced nitrogen cost by 37%, which can lead to a low carbon footprint. Long-term studies with comprehensive datasets are rare and here for the first time we had two full 4-year cycles of experimental data for 14 diverse rotations at three sites, enabling us to make sound conclusions—adopting diverse cropping rotations that include pulses, especially lentil, can reduce economic risks and improve farm profitability.

Crop Rotations and Changes in Saskatchewan Fertilizer Use: 1991-94 and 2016-19

“…The empirical results highlight the importance of including pulses in crop rotations considering their ability to x enough N for their own use and leave behind residual N for the next crop. From a farmer's perspective, this quanti able information can assist in increasing on-farm pro tability (greater yield of the subsequent crop) (Khakbazan et al 2022) and reducing greenhouse gas Overall results also show an increase in the yield of the subsequent crop when a pulse crop is planted the year prior, with the exception of the 2018 crop yield (Table 2)3. Due to the low number of responses that followed a pulse crop with an oilseed or second pulse crop in their rotation, this portion of the analysis focuses on cereal crops that were preceded by pulse crops.…”

“…An alternative sustainable approach is to use annual pulse crops such as lentil, dry pea and chickpea in crop rotations to achieve the goal of increasing subsequent crop yields (St. Luce et al 2015) while minimizing environmental impacts (Gan et al 2015) and reducing nitrogen fertilizer costs up to 37% (Khakbazan et al 2022). Pulses are well known for their signi cant role in nitrogen (N) cycling as they have the ability to x atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis (Hossain et al 2016).…”

Causes and Conditions for Reduced Cultivation and Consumption of Underutilized Crops: Is There a Solution?

“…Monocropping systems often used in the dry regions of the Mediterranean are not the most beneficial for cultivation of lentils [69][70][71]. The farming of lentils is complex in comparison to other crops.…”

Nitrogen fixation among pea and lentil varieties in the Northern Great Plains

“…Additionally, growing a pulse crop in place of a cereal or oilseed results in substantial fertilizer N savings because pulse crops require little to no N inputs. In Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, adding pulses to crop rotations decreased fertilizer N requirements by 38% for subsequent crops (Khakbazan et al., 2022). Pulses can directly benefit from higher N fixation, which has been associated with higher legume seed yield and protein (Hossain et al., 2017; Zimmer et al., 2016).…”