Yield and Nutrient Removal in Potato‐Based Conservation Agriculture Cropping Systems in the High Altitude Andean Region of Ecuador

Gallagher, Robert S.; Stehouwer, Richard C.; Mosquera, Víctor Hugo Barrera; Ochoa, Soraya Patricia Alvarado; López, Luis Orlando; Valverde, Franklin; Portilla, Arnufo; Webber, K.J.; Andrade, Juan M.

doi:10.2134/agronj2016.11.0635

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…However, barriers to the adoption of reduced tillage systems by small farmers include the lack of equipment and that initially the crop yields may be smaller than those of conventional systems (Büchi et al, 2017; Martínez et al, 2016; Soane et al, 2012). Several studies suggest that precision conservation in the Andes can improve long‐term stainability (Barrowclough et al, 2016; Delgado et al, 2019; Gallagher et al, 2017; Escudero et al, 2014). Escudero et al (2014) reported that yields with the farmers’ traditional farming practices and a N fertilizer application of about 40 kg N ha −1 were almost doubled with an additional application of 80 to 100 kg N ha −1 (total application of 120 or 140 kg N ha −1 ).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…In the Illangama, Ecuador's National Institute of Agricultural Research (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias; INIAP) jointly with the National Secretariat for Higher Education, Science and Technology (Secretaría Nacional de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación; SENESCYT), and the Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management‐ Collaborative Research Support Program (SANREM CRSP) funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as USDA‐ARS‐Soil Management and Sugar Beet Research Unit (SMSBRU), Virginia Tech, and Penn State led a research program on conservation agriculture practices and conservation agriculture production systems. Preliminary results showed the potential for improvement of several production systems prevailing in the area (Alwang et al, 2013; Barrera et al, 2012; Barrowclough et al, 2016; Delgado et al, 2019; Escudero et al, 2014; Gallagher et al, 2017; Monar et al, 2013).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Barrowclough et al (2016) reported that no till has the highest net profit when compared to the traditional tillage practice. Gallagher et al (2017) concluded that “Crop productivity tended to be higher in plots that had surface water deviation ditches, and where crop and cover residues were retained in the field. Reduced tillage systems had yields similar to conventional tillage systems in all crops.”…”

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Conservation Agriculture Increases Yields and Economic Returns of Potato, Forage, and Grain Systems of the Andes

et al. 2019

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Physical and environmental vulnerability analysis conducted for the Illangama watershed located in Ecuador's Andean highlands, shows deteriorated soil quality and declining crop productivity. These problems are caused by soil erosion in steep slopes and inappropriate soil management practices. Research projects conducted from 2011 to 2014 adopted and examined the feasibility of conservation agriculture practices for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and vetch (Vicia sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), bean (Vicia faba L.), and a mixture of pastures (annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum Lam.], perennial ryegrass [L. perenne L.], orchardgrass [Dactylis glomerata L.], white clover[Trifolium repens L.], and red clover [T. pratense L.]). The practices included surface water deviation ditches, reduced tillage, residue retention, and application of N, all within an improved rotation. The study examined crop yields and economic returns in an effort to identify the best practices. Results indicate that crop productivity and net (of cost of production) benefits of the system were increased as much as 25 and 24%, respectively, using a feasible conservation agriculture system compared to conventional practices. This study shows that conservation agriculture increases yields and saves on production costs due to less tillage. We also found that N fertilization with these conservation agriculture practices increases yields and net returns. This study concludes that conservation agriculture practices are good alternatives for these high‐altitude Andean soils. The practices should be promoted among Andean producers to increase the productivity and sustainability of their potato–grain–pasture systems. Core Ideas The Andean region of Ecuador is critical for the country's food security. Cultivation of high‐slope mountainous agriculture is accelerating erosion. Conservation agriculture is an attractive management alternative. Implementation of reduced tillage could contribute to higher net income for farmers. These practices could benefit nearly 200,000 Ecuadorean farms.

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confidence: 99%

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Conservation Agriculture Increases Yields and Economic Returns of Potato, Forage, and Grain Systems of the Andes

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“…There is no information on the effect of tillage disturbance on bean yields in the Highlands of Ecuador, but land degradation has been identified as one of the problems in this area (Espinosa and Moreno, 2018). However, recent experiments have reported that NT yields of different crops are as high as, or higher than, those obtained under CT (Alvarado et al, 2011;Quichimbo et al, 2012;Gallager et al, 2017). The study conducted by Alvarado et al (2011) with open pollinated corn for human consumption, which is common in the Highlands of Ecuador, reported a grain yield of 5.2 t ha -1 for NT and 4.3 for CT.…”

Section: Effects Of Tillage Systems and Fertilizer Rates On Bean Yieldsmentioning

confidence: 98%

EARLY CHANGES IN THE TRANSITION FROM CONVENTIONAL TO NO-TILLAGE IN A VOLCANIC SOIL CULTIVATED WITH BEANS (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Montesdeoca¹,

Ávila²,

Quishpe³

et al. 2020

Chil. j. agric. anim. sci.

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“…These practices include water diversion ditches (a soil management technique designed to reduce erosion), reduced tillage, cover crops, contour plowing, optimal use of nitrogen, and an improved crop rotation. Results of these experiments are now available and provide cautious optimism about the potential role of CA in improving soil retention and soil health while lowering input costs and raising yields (Alwang et al., 2013; Barrera et al., 2012; Barrera et al., 2019; Barrowclough & Alwang, 2018; Barrowclough et al., 2016; Delgado et al., 2019; Escudero et al., 2014; Gallagher et al., 2017; INIAP, 2018a, 2018b; Monar et al., 2013; Saavedra et al., 2014). Production of potato, barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), bean, corn, pea ( Pisum sativum L.), fava bean, and pastures under CA constitute viable production alternatives.…”

Section: Agronomic Solutions To Global Food Security Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation agriculture can help the South American Andean region achieve food security

Barrera

Delgado

Alwang³

2021

Agronomy Journal

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The Andean region of Ecuador is dominated by small-scale agriculture on steep slopes vulnerable to erosion, soil degradation, and subsequent productivity loss. Soil erosion rates exceed the average rate of soil formation by 9-286 times, making current agricultural practices in the region unsustainable, and threatening to increase food insecurity. The projected effects of a changing climate vary across the Andean region, with higher precipitation and erosion rates projected for some areas. However, even in areas where the precipitation rates are expected to be lower, the projected erosion rates will still be unsustainable. Research on conservation agriculture (CA) practices conducted from 2008 to 2017 in the highlands of Ecuador suggests that yields and cost savings ultimately make several CA production systems profitable compared to conventional practices. In the very short term, large gains did not emerge, and the best that could be said about CA is that it did not reduce productivity. Over the medium term, improvements in soil health (lower erosion) led to higher profitability that made the practices more profitable than conventional practices over the entire rotation. However, adoption of these alternatives by local producers, even in research areas, is low. Lack of public or private agricultural extension contributes to slow diffusion of new technology and best management practices in the region. There is a need to develop improved communication with local farmers to more effectively relay how CA protects the soil, mitigates degradation, and provides a means to achieve food security and avoid a humanitarian crisis. GLOBAL CHALLENGES TO FOOD SECURITY 1.1Climate change and intensive agriculture could increase erosion rates, potentially catalyzing a regional catastrophe in the Andes One of the greatest challenges facing the Andean region of South America is how to mitigate potential impacts of Abbreviations: CA, conservation agriculture;

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Yield and Nutrient Removal in Potato‐Based Conservation Agriculture Cropping Systems in the High Altitude Andean Region of Ecuador

Cited by 4 publications

References 35 publications

Conservation Agriculture Increases Yields and Economic Returns of Potato, Forage, and Grain Systems of the Andes

Conservation Agriculture Increases Yields and Economic Returns of Potato, Forage, and Grain Systems of the Andes

EARLY CHANGES IN THE TRANSITION FROM CONVENTIONAL TO NO-TILLAGE IN A VOLCANIC SOIL CULTIVATED WITH BEANS (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Conservation agriculture can help the South American Andean region achieve food security

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