Files and links (1)
CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Agronomic factors are the dominant influence on nitrogen fertilizer strategies in dryland cropping systems
Agronomy for sustainable development, Vol.43(1), 14
2023
Appears in Open Access via Read & Publish Agreements
Abstract
Factors affecting fertilizer decisions made by grain growers are changing in the context of changing climatic conditions and growing volatility in global fertilizer and grain markets. To ensure sustainable development of grain industries in light of this uncertainty, research, development, extension, and adoption activities associated with growers’ fertilizer decisions need to be focused on factors to which they are most sensitive. The aim of this paper is to understand the factors that have the greatest influence on grain producer’s fertilizer strategies, how these factors have changed over recent years, and what is the relative importance of agronomic, socioeconomic, and logistical factors affecting these strategies. A telephone survey of 425 grain-growing businesses in Western Australia was conducted, and survey results were analyzed statistically. We show for the first time that grain growers’ fertilizer decisions are most sensitive to agronomic factors (especially the amount and distribution of rainfall). Logistic factors (such as difficulties fertilizing increasing areas in short periods of time) are growing in influence as farm size, cropping areas, and the number of fertilizer applications within seasons increase. Fertilizer decisions have become less sensitive to socioeconomic factors over the last 10 to 15 years. To ensure sustainable development of grain production, research through to adoption activities should focus on agronomic issues (such as seasonal forecasting) and logistic issues (such as improving planning, organizational, and technical capacity for developing and implementing fertilizer strategies).
Details
- Title
- Agronomic factors are the dominant influence on nitrogen fertilizer strategies in dryland cropping systems
- Authors/Creators
- Elizabeth H. Petersen - The University of Western AustraliaCraig A. Scanlan - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Farming SystemsMichael P. Burton - The University of Western AustraliaYvette M. Oliver - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationDaniel V. Murphy - The University of Western Australia, SoilsWest, Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch UniversityFrances C. Hoyle - The University of Western Australia
- Publication Details
- Agronomy for sustainable development, Vol.43(1), 14
- Publisher
- Springer Paris
- Grant note
- UWA1801-002RTX; UMU1801-006RTX / Grains Research and Development Corporation (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000980)
- Identifiers
- 991005601869007891
- Copyright
- © 2023 Crown
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
23 File views/ downloads
126 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.4 Crop Science
- 3.4.424 Crop Yield Optimization
- Web Of Science research areas
- Agronomy
- Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
- ESI research areas
- Agricultural Sciences