Static yields and quality issues: Is the agri-environment program the primary driver?

Abstract

The Finnish agri-environmental program (AEP) has been in operation for 20 years with [90 % farmer commitment. This study aimed to establish whether reduced nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use has impacted spring cereal yields and quality based on comprehensive follow-up studies and long-term experiments. We found that the gap between genetic yield potential and attained yield has increased after the AEP was imposed. However, many contemporary changes in agricultural practices, driven by changes in prices and farm subsidies, also including the AEP, were likely reasons, together with reduced N, but not phosphorus use. Such overall changes in crop management coincided with stagnation or decline in yields and adverse changes in quality, but yield-removed N increased and residual N decreased. Further studies are needed to assess whether all the changes are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable, and acceptable, in the long run. The concept of sustainable intensification is worth considering as a means to develop northern European agricultural systems to combine environmental benefits with productivity.

Changing regional weather-crop yield relationships across Europe between 1901 and 2012

“…In addition, other factors, such as soil compaction and reduced soil organic matter content and fertility are important, and may increase the vulnerability of crops to climatic constraints, at least locally (e.g. Peltonen-Sainio et al 2015). The increasing availability of fertilizers fostered a shift to growing crops in formerly less productive sites (e.g.…”

Land Use, Yield and Quality Changes of Minor Field Crops: Is There Superseded Potential to Be Reinvented in Northern Europe?

“…The study period was divided into various sub-periods as described by Peltonen-Sainio et al [1] as agriculture has undergone periodic changes with likely impacts on yield trends. In the first period of 1970–1980, agriculture was strongly mechanized and pre-modern agricultural practices were developed and largely implemented.…”

“…These are significantly affected by markets, prices and agricultural policies as well as public research and development (R&D) funding directed to development of minor crops. Contrary to the relatively constant yield difference since the 1960s in wheat and the recently reduced yield difference in barley between Finland and other countries [1], yield gap has dramatically expanded for rapeseed, especially since the 1990s (Fig 1) [2]. The situation is the same with winter rye and pea, though in general, the yield difference between Finland and other countries in pea yields are slightly lower than that for winter rye and particularly rapeseed.…”

“…Cereal monocultures are typical in the southern prime production regions of the country with many recorded adverse effects on crop yields and the environment [1]. On the other hand, due to the striking south-north division of crop and dairy production, grasslands are common in the landscapes of the central and northern parts of Finland.…”

“…To capitalize on the benefits from diversification and to better design crop rotations, eco-efficiency (the ratio between environmental impact and economic value) needs to be assessed [8]. Diversified land use is a key element of sustainable intensification of cropping systems, that need to be designed locally [13], to reduce yield gaps and gain environmental sustainability, economic profitability and social acceptability [1]. …”