REDUCING INDUSTRIAL INPUTS – A PREREQUISITE FOR THE TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (Ro)

Abstract

This article provides the results of a long-term field experiment carried out at the ICC "Selectia" with the aim of studying the influence of irrigation and fertilisation on the production capacity and productivity of the soil and, at the same time, on soil fertility. Another long-term field experiment aimed to study the action and interaction of crop rotation, tillage, and fertilisation systems in the absence of chemical means of disease, pest and weed control. As a result, it was found that winter wheat responds to irrigation, unlike sugar beet, which responds more to soil fertilisation. Grain maize does not react to crop rotation and fertilisation. Irrigation reduces organic matter content throughout the soil profile. By following the crop rotation with the inclusion of perennial grass mixtures it is possible to reduce the costs of tillage and the use of mineral fertilisers. The additional use of mineral fertilisers as a result of the action or the effect of manure management in the soil is not agronomically and economically justified.

Keywords

• crop rotation
• soil tillage
• soil fertilization
• soil organic matter
• yields
• crop rotation productivity