Optimizing maize-based cropping systems: Sustainability, good agricultural practices (GAP) and yield goals

Charles Wortmann, Patricio Grassini, Roger W. Elmore

• Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781838791179
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Agriculture
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Sustainable maize production is profitable for the farmer, protects the natural resource base, including maintaining and improving soil productivity, prevents environmental degradation beyond the field, improves the quality of life of individuals and communities and ensures the nutritional value and safety of food. These objectives are not always achieved but need to be among the factors considered in selecting good agricultural practices (GAP). The relative importance of different considerations and trade-offs in the choice of GAP varies with production situations and three contrasting maize production situations are discussed in this chapter. The gap between actual and potential yield and determination of realistic yield goals are also addressed for these three situations

Table of contents

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Defining sustainable crop production
• 3 Good agricultural practices
• 4 Setting targets and measuring performance
• 5 Case study: improving maize cultivation in the United States, Ethiopia and Argentina
• 6 Conclusions
• 7 References