Soil management practices adopted by farmers and how they perceive conservation agriculture

Abstract

In some rural properties of Brazil, soil and water conservation practices are partially or inappropriately implemented, intensifying soil erosion, even in no-tillage (NT) areas. This study aimed to check the farmer's understanding of conservation agriculture (CA) and assess whether they are using practices appropriate to soil conservation. A basin in the state of Paraná, in Southern Brazil, was selected. Surveys were conducted based on a structured questionnaire and in-person interviews of 234 farmers. Among these farmers, 67 % do not understand CA pillars adequately, and 68 % stated they have been using NT for over 12 years. However, 58 % stated that they carried out some kind of soil preparation. Furthermore, some of the farmers only partially implemented CA, adopting a low level of crop diversification. The main problems pointed out by the farmers to justify simplifying the CA approach were soil compaction, low production of plant biomass and resistance of weeds to herbicides. Most farmers in the study do not have enough knowledge of the pillars of CA. As a result, there is little diversification in crop rotation, and the soil is continually disturbed with chiseling. Furthermore, although most farmers use terracing, they drive sprayers crossing terraces and following the slope, a practice that can impair the capacity of terraces to control surface water runoff. These practices do not contribute to soil and water conservation and endanger the sustainability of agricultural production systems.

No-Tillage and Conservation Agriculture Adoption by Farmers in Southern Brazil

“…These trends show a significant uptake of NT yet a restrained use of CA, not reaching the desired level for sustainable agriculture standards. The growth in CA from 2006 to 2017, while notable, remains limited due to several factors: (i) the often-delayed economic return from CA, with rural producers typically favoring systems that provide immediate profits [15]; (ii) a tendency to favor simpler production systems that focus on crop succession rather than rotation [16,17]; (iii) farmers being confined to growing the predominant grain of their region due to logistics, infrastructure, and market considerations, deterring them from diversifying crops [18,19]; and (iv) the dominance of crops like cassava or sugarcane in some regions, as opposed to grain [20,21] (Table 2).…”

“…The myopic economic perspective of these agents is sometimes cited as a contributing factor, yet it doesn't fully account for the hesitancy in adopting superior agricultural practices. Additionally, farmers typically favor less complex operations [16]. This preference explains the swift adoption of NT and the prevalence of crop succession over rotation due to its operational simplicity.…”

Evaluación de las prácticas de conservación de suelo en la Subcuenca Presa Jalpan, Querétaro, México

“…Es preciso implementar un plan de mantenimiento y vigilancia para el control de los sedimentos que se acumulan en la presa Jalpan, lo cual permitirá realizar predicciones más precisas sobre la colmatación, ya que la erosión puede aumentar por causas antrópicas (como las deforestaciones) y naturales (la intensidad de la lluvia). Asimismo, la eficiencia de las prácticas está vinculada con su diseño y grado de deterioro, apropiación de los habitantes, coincidiendo con las observaciones de Telles et al (2022); de ahí la importancia de capacitar a los beneficiados de manera previa a la ejecución de dichas prácticas, y después de su instalación se debe continuar con un programa de mantenimiento.…”

Terracing Reduces Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi Spore Loss through Surface Runoff

“…Soil erosion in cultivated agricultural areas ranks among the primary causes of soil degradation, resulting in significant environmental and socio-economic losses [1]. This erosion occurs through the formation of surface runoff, leading to the detachment and transportation of soil particles.…”