2018/01/01 by Leclech, Noël, Legrand, Alain, Baillet, Alice +10
Environmental Science · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis #Agriculture and Rural Development Research #Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
paper · doi:10.15454/4rxlmt
As part of DEPHY EXPE network from Ecophyto programme, four test platforms were implanted in 2011/2012 on Lorrain territory to test integrated production. This project aims to cut in half pesticides use but it was also an opportunity to knock down the technical barriers related to constraints as regards soil, climate and regulation which impact farming systems of the region. Two levels of change (lengthening the rotation or not) were tested in the platforms. Sometimes, decision rules on systems management techniques, preliminary defined to meet specific objectives, needed to be adapted over time depending on their success or their failure. Experimenting these cropping systems provided learnings on beneficial or adverse effects of lengthening the rotation, and on alternative means used against pests. For instance, adjust treatment threasholds and use species associations could prevent fungicide and insecticide treatments, but mechanical weeding wasn't sufficient on rape and had to be combined with herbicides used in reduced quantities. These platforms were not only a source of technical references but also appropriate teaching supports.