Abstract

SALEMBIER, C; ELVERDIN, J  and  MEYNARD, J.M. Sistemas de cultivo alternativos desarrollados por productores en el sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires. RIA. Rev. investig. agropecu. [online]. 2015, vol.41, n.3, pp.270-281. ISSN 1669-2314.

The cropping systems of the Argentine Pampas are characterized by the predominance of the soybean crop in the rotation, including in some cases, soybean monoculture. This rose concerns about the sustainability of the production practices. These considerations, however, may neglect the actual diversity of the cropping systems practiced in the Pampas. This article identifies and analyzes alternative cropping systems developed by farmers of the Balcarce County. The research has four main parts: (i) characterization of a predominant system based on the soybean crop, (ii) identification of farmers that undertake alternative cropping systems, (iii) description and analysis of the different systems, and (iv) agro-environmental and economic assessment of these systems. Alternative cropping systems with practices contrasting with those typical of the most common system were identified. The alternative systems exhibit longer and more diverse crop rotations, the combination, in the rotation, of direct seeding and minimum tillage, limited use of pesticides, etc. The assessment revealed that alternative cropping systems could have better agro-environmental results than the most common system based on the soybean crop. These findings allowed the identification of future agronomic research lines.

Keywords : On-field innovations; Multicriteria assessment; Balcarce County; Cropping system; Soybeanization; Farming sustainability.