Short description

Agricultural intensification has not only enhanced food production but is also causing adverse impacts on the environment due to nutrient losses to air and water. To reconcile food production with environmental protection, there is a need to use more efficient management practices.

In this study I will quantify the impact of multiple agricultural practices on multiple agronomic, soil fertility and environmental indicators taking into consideration the variation in site conditions. Impacts will be evaluated in terms of closing the gap between current and desired status in order to achieve sustainability. The overall product will be a “measure opportunity” map that can aid stakeholders with decision making.

Objective of the study

A complete (semi-)quantitative overview of practices and impacts on multiple indicators that is focusing on co-benefits or trade-offs between indicators is lacking.

Additionally, there is still a lack of information regarding the influence of multiple practices on multiple indicators while accounting for the spatial variation in site conditions and also considering the distance of the current nutrient status from the desired one.

I will assess semi-quantitatively the impact of multiple agricultural practices on multiple indicators (crop yield, nutrient use efficiency (N and P), soil organic carbon (SOC), available soil P content, pH, base saturation, ammonia, and greenhouse gas emissions).

I will also assess quantitatively the impact of agricultural practices on a selection of those indicators accounting for the variation in site properties.

Lastly, I will carry out an integrated spatial optimization of management practices, including the effects of multiple practices on multiple indicators.