Conservation Tillage and Pesticide Use in the Cornbelt

作者：Keith O. Fuglie · 发表于：Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics · 年份：1999 · DOI：10.1017/s0081305200028831 · 被引用次数：98 · 研究领域：Soil erosion and sediment transport、Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics、Economic and Environmental Valuation

Abstract Adoption of conservation tillage can lead to substantial environmental benefits from reduced soil erosion. But benefits may be partially offset if adoption increases reliance on agricultural chemicals. Using area study data from the Cornbelt, this study examines factors affecting adoption of no-till and other conservation tillage systems and their effect on chemical use and corn yield. The results find no evidence that herbicide or fertilizer application rates are higher on fields with conservation tillage systems compared with conventional tillage. However, insecticide use may increase somewhat and yield may be lower. Current demographic trends in U.S. agriculture favor continued diffusion of conservation tillage.