FORURENS- Strategies for implementation of sound cereal production methods with low loss of pesticides and phosphorus

There is a need for increased knowledge about measures to reduce agricultural pollution that takes account of environmental challenges both in terms of pesticides and nutrients (i.e. phosphorus), as well as farmers' behavior and economic considerations. The work in the STRAPP-project was based on monitoring data for the period 1993-2013 for an agricultural catchment with cereal cropping in eastern Norway that is monitored through the Norwegian Agricultural Environmental Monitoring Program (JOVA), and this catchment was the common research arena for the project. In order to develop improved integrated and organic pest management strategies in cereals, the project included an assessment of the potential for reduced pesticide use in cereal cropping using an available forecasting and decision support tool (Varsling innen planteskadegjørere ? VIPS, available at www.vips-landbruk.no) and sensor based weed mapping (i.e. a future tool). Manual mapping of infestation of weeds and fungal disease as well as weed mapping using sensor technology (DAT sensor) was done on selected fields in the model catchment. The estimated weed and disease management needs were compared to the actual control measures employed by the farmers. The disease incidence and estimated fungicide use varied with year, crop and previous crop, while the fungicide use by the farmer were less variable as measured by treatment frequency index (TFI, actual dose/maximum approved dose summed for all herbicides). Similarly, glyphosate treatment in the stubble in autumn could also be better adapted by the use of VIPS. Further, use of the DAT sensor to identify patches with need of weed management showed a higher potential in herbicide savings than VIPS alone. Farmers' reports of cropping practices and use of pesticides for the period 1995-2011 was used to calculate yearly pesticide risk for acute and chronic effects to aquatic and soil organisms, acute effects for non-target organisms and risk for groundwater leaching for all single fields in the model catchment. From this, we are able to identify areas with cultivation and crop protection practices that has resulted in a high risk of non-target effects, by use of geographic information systems (GIS). The data indicate that spray drift and close proximity to waterways are governing factors for areas of high risk to aquatic organism, but there are exceptions with areas with steep hills and mobile substances where the contribution can be high. Cultivation of winter wheat and use of pesticides in the fall has also had an impact on water living organisms. Autumn ploughing is an important non-chemical measure to control several weed species, but this might come into conflict with the aim to reduce soil and phosphorus loss. Through model simulations, we have studied the effects of different tillage regimes on phosphorus loss in the model catchment. The results from the model simulations revealed that autumn ploughing of all fields would on average result in 4.7 times higher P losses compared to no autumn tillage. An alternative with no autumn tillage only on steep fields with a high risk of erosion and P losses and autumn ploughing on the flatter areas reduced the P losses by 30 % compared to autumn ploughing of all fields. A survey among 371 Norwegian cereal farmers was performed to identify the general trends in their behaviour regarding integrated pest management and organic farming. The results show that "Best possible crop quality ", "Highest possible yield" and "Crops with no pesticide residues" are the three most important considerations when cereal farmers plan their pest management. Most farmers believe that better advice and competence building are the best means to achieve a higher degree of integrated pest management. Compiled data from the JOVA monitoring for the model catchment, model simulation results and surveys from the project allowed for an integrated assessment of the effects of different production methods in cereal on pollution, yield and economic aspects through discussions in focus group meetings and workshops with key stakeholders (champion farmers, farmer union, agricultural extension service, regulatory authorities). A comparative study of policies and instruments for integrated pest management and organic farming in Denmark, Switzerland and Norway was done to further investigate how we could achieve improved cereal cropping practices. Lessons that could be learned for Norway include: 1) a specific environmental tax for each pesticide may be preferable as it would prevent different pesticide loads from being treated equally, 2) subsidised counselling is likely to be a reasonable complement to the new IPM regulations 3) agri-environmental payments for reduced use of pesticides might be an option, but it is important to be aware of the related challenges to ensure farmers with intensive production systems also participate.

National cereal production is of large importance for food security. Cereal crops cover 30% of the farmland, and most of the cereal area is sprayed annually. Cereal production in Norway contributes 30-72% of the total environmental risk caused by pesticid e use in cropping. Adoption of measures to mitigate pollution from agriculture in these areas will have a large potential environmental effect. The conflicts between measures for reduced use of pesticides and measures for reduced phosphorus losses have sp ecial concern in cereal production. The main objective of the proposed project is to establish a proposal of sound cereal production methods with reduced pollution from pesticides and phosphorus and their impact on farm economics, and necessary instrument s for increased adoption. The sub-objectives include to (1) develop integrated and organic pest management strategies for selected fields with various soil tillage, (2) demonstrate effects of selected pest management strategies on loss of pesticides and p hosphorus, and financial results in cereal farming, (3) perform an integrated assessment of the effects of different production methods in cereal on pollution, yield and economic aspects, and (4) identify farmer behaviour regarding integrated pest managem ent and organic farming. This requires a multi-perspective, integrated systems approach. A set of production methods in cereal will be defined and form the basis for simulation and evaluation procedures. Our main focus will be on pest management, but we w ill also study issues regarding phosphorus, yield, economic returns and farm behaviour as there is a lack of measures and instruments encompassing their conflicting environmental concerns. The project work will show the significance of integrated pest man agement and organic farming in reducing agriculture-related pollution. This new knowledge will be used to develop instruments for adoption of effective and feasible pollution-reducing measures in cereal production.