Practical Applications of Agricultural Systems Research in Temperate Countries

Abstract

Agricultural systems research experience has stimulated greater involvement in interdisciplinary and multi‐agency teams to solve complex production problems. Classical component research and small teams of scientists with narrow goals are evolving into well‐funded and mission‐oriented teams that can efficiently work with more complex problems. Current research within a single discipline often includes measurement of energy, environmental, or human impact as a part of its evaluation. Team research on systems provides a framework for the integration of components in either a space or a time continuum. The boundaries among biological, physical, and social sciences are blurring as we attempt to solve complex challenges. There is also a growing appreciation of the connections between systems and that our research into systems can have far‐ranging impacts on success in agricultural enterprises as well as the quality of rural life. The purpose of this review is to provide a “snapshot” overview of current research conducted by individuals and teams in agronomy that address questions from a systems perspective. The objective is to provide specific examples of research approaches and results that illustrate the practical value of systems research. Review of four journals in 1992 reveals a growing appreciation of how interdisciplinary work can help explain the complexities of component interactions in cropping systems, as well as a relative absence of economic and social evaluation of the impacts of technology. Research Question Agricultural systems research has focused on understanding how complex systems operate and how we can modify them to increase productivity, make efficient use of resources, and minimize environmental harm. This study summarizes some results of team research reported in the USA during 1992 that show how biological, economic, physical, and social factors relate to practical farming systems. It also shows the interconnections of fields, farms, and communities and how we need to look at the entire ecosystem when attempting to evaluate the long‐term impact of changes in farming practices. Literature Summary/Study Description Today's research environment encourages activity by interdisciplinary teams, and even individual researchers often bring experience from several disciplines to address complex questions. Four journals of ASA and CSSA were reviewed for the year 1992: Agronomy Journal, Crop Science, Journal of Production Agriculture, and Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education. Examples from these sources were used in this paper to illustrate the importance of approaching technical problems from different angles, and the critical need for broad based perspectives in solving production problems and relating solutions to the environment and rural communities. Applied Questions What are some of the most frequent examples of team research? There is a long and valuable history of cooperative research on insect resistance between plant breeders and entomologists, and between soil scientists ...

When Natural met Social: A Review of Collaboration between the Natural and Social Sciences

“…Six papers reported on the development and interpretation of complex mathematical multi-agent models using theories and insights gained through collaboration between natural and social sciences. About one paper out of three (26) reported empirical data (Francis 1994;Mason et al 2007).…”