Diversity of protein-crop management in western France

ISI Document Delivery No.: HN5FPTimes Cited: 0Cited Reference Count: 42Carof, Matthieu Godinot, Olivier Ridier, AudeFrench region, Brittany; French region, Pays de la LoireThis work was funded by two French regions, Brittany and Pays de la Loire, in the project SECURIPROT.0Springer franceParis1773-0155In the European Union (EU), local production of protein crops (faba bean, field pea, lupins) is of primary interest to help farmers depend less on purchased feed, provide agronomic benefits to cropping systems, and increase the EU's protein self-sufficiency. Nonetheless, farmers rarely grow protein crops, which currently represent less than 1% of the EU's arable land. We assumed that exploration of farmers' practices will bring focus on (i) their motivations for growing protein crops, so that extension programs can be improved based on these motivations, and (ii) the diversity of their crop management so that promising ones can be disseminated. In western France, a two-step survey was conducted among farmers who grew protein crops. The first step was an online survey of 127 farmers that aimed to characterize their farming systems. The second step was a face-to-face survey (69 volunteers from the 127 farmers) that aimed to collect precise data on management of protein crops. The main motivations of surveyed farmers for growing protein crops were related to (i) replacing imported soybean with farm-grown protein crops and (ii) pre-crop values of protein crops (i.e., benefits of protein crops for subsequent crops). Based on conventional farmers' answers, we estimated a pre-crop value of 118 Euroha(-1), which notably contributes to gross profit at the crop-rotation scale. Moreover, in our study, yields of protein crops did not differ significantly between conventional and organic systems. This offers an interesting opportunity for conventional systems to integrate organic practices, such as complex intercropping, to reduce variable costs (costs of seeds, pesticides, regulators, and chemical fertilizers) and increase gross profits. This study shows for the first time that, in western France, pre-crop values of protein crops and their suitability for low-input systems are undervalued and could be emphasized more strongly to encourage their adoption

Etude de la couverture vaccinale chez les patients séropositifs pour le VIH suivis dans le service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales de l'Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse durant l'année 2011

LYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocSudocFranceF

A free online tool to calculate three nitrogen-related indicators for farming systems

A free online tool to calculate three nitrogen-related indicators for farming system

Survey data from 38 integrated crop-livestock farming systems in Western France

This paper presents data collected from 38 integrated crop-livestock farming systems in Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany, France, during face-to-face surveys. Surveys were conducted using a quantitative questionnaire to collect information about farm management practices that affect nitrogen (N) inputs, N outputs, and internal N flows. The data were used to develop new indicators of N efficiency (SyNE, System N Efficiency) and of N balance (SyNB, System N Balance), as described in “SyNE: An improved indicator to assess nitrogen efficiency of farming systems” [1]. Also, the data were used to test an online tool developed to calculate these indicators, as described in “A free online tool to calculate three nitrogen-related indicators for farming systems” [2]. The data are provided with this article

Contribution à l'étude de la variabilité morphologique du squelette crânien et à l'étude comparative de la morphologie externe de l'appareil génital chez les Lemuridae (Lenuriformes, primates)

La quantification des contours du crâne en vue supérieure et de la mandibule en vue latérale, ainsi que celle de la surface du crâne et de ses composants, ont été réalisées. Nous avons analysé de cette façon 8 des 9 espèces de Lemuridae (Lemuriformes, Primates). Des marqueurs morphométriques ont discriminé 6 des 8 espèces, montrant l intérêt taxonomique de la morphologie crânienne. Des relations entre la forme du crâne et le régime alimentaire ont été établies. La variabilité intraspécifique a été décrite, montrant une grande variabilité chez Lemur catta. Des études comparatives au niveau de la morphologie de l appareil génital femelle ont bien montré le lien de parenté qui existe entre le groupe de Hapalemur et Lemur catta. Des caractères de l appareil génital et du squelette crânien de E. rubriventer semblent être remarquables, ces derniers n étant pas liés au régime alimentaire.Quantification of the outlines of the whole skull in superior view and of the mandible in lateral view, as well as that of the areas of the skull and its components in superior view were realized. We analysed in this way 8 of the 9 species of Lemuridae (Lemuriformes, Primates). Morphometric markers discriminated 6 of the 8 species. Relationships between the form of the skull and the diet were established. The intraspecific variability is described, including a high variability in Lemur catta. Comparative study of the external female genitalia showed the close phylogenetic relationships between Hapalemur species and Lemur catta. The morphology of female external genitalia and the cranial morphological traits of Eulemur rubriventer appear to be unique; the latter ones seem not to be related to the dietary habits.PARIS-Museum Hist.Naturelle (751052304) / SudocSudocFranceF

Biodiversity-based cropping systems: A long-term perspective is necessary

International audienc

Evidence of a rebound effect in agriculture: Crop-livestock reconnection beyond the farm gate does not always lead to more sustainable nitrogen management

International audienceCONTEXT: Reconnecting crop and livestock production beyond the farm gate by exchanging raw materials (e.g., feed, manure) between farms is seen as a promising solution for improving the environmental performance of farms, since it should reduce the use of imported nitrogen (N) inputs. However, such a circular economy does not necessarily lead to a positive outcome, since cooperating farms might simultaneously intensify their production, which could cancel out the benefits of reconnecting crops and livestock: this is known as a rebound effect. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to identify and analyze a potential rebound effect due to reconnection of crop and livestock farms. METHODS: We collected data on 18 case-study farms in a small territory in Spain. We then calculated two indicators of the N rebound effect: one based on potential savings of inorganic N fertilizer for cooperating crop farms and another based on potential savings of N losses to the environment for cooperating livestock farms. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: On cooperating crop farms, importing manure did not lead to replacement of inorganic N fertilizer and could lead more inorganic N fertilizer being used. Thus, their mean N rebound effect was 520 %, which constituted a backfire effect. This mean, however, covered large differences among farms. On cooperating dairy farms, exporting manure resulted in a mean negative rebound effect of-17 %, meaning that they achieved higher savings in the N balance than expected compared to non-cooperating dairy farms. SIGNIFICANCE: Our main contribution is to show that there may be a rebound effect when reconnecting crop and livestock production beyond the farm gate due to the intensification of farms. The indicators of the N rebound effect developed can thus help identify situations that improve or degrade environmental performance. They should be used to complement existing indicators, such as N-use efficiency and the N balance, to design efficient farming systems while avoiding a rebound effect

SyNE: An improved indicator to assess nitrogen efficiency of farming systems

Reactive nitrogen (N) flows (all forms of N except N-2) are greatly increasing worldwide. This is mainly due to the ever larger use of inorganic N fertilizers used to sustain the growing food production. N flows have major impacts on water, air and soil quality as well as on biodiversity and human health. Reconciling the objectives of feeding the world and preserving the environment is a great challenge for agriculture. One of the main ways to increase food production while reducing its detrimental effects is to increase the efficiency of N use. N use efficiency (NUE) is a commonly used indicator to estimate efficiency of N use at the farm scale, It is defined as the ratio of farm N outputs to N inputs. However, it has some inconsistencies and biases, which raises questions about its reliability for assessing N efficiency of farming systems, As a consequence, we propose a new indicator, called system nitrogen efficiency (SyNE), which is based on NUE and improves upon it in several ways. First, life cycle inventory references are used to estimate N emissions linked to the production of inputs outside the farm. Second, net N flows are calculated by subtracting inputs and outputs of the same product in the farming system. Third, manure is not considered an end product, unlike crop and animal products. Finally, the annual change in N in soil organic matter is estimated. SyNE therefore expresses the efficiency of a farming system in transforming N inputs into desired agricultural products. It takes into account all sources of N, including the annual change in soil N stock as well as N losses occurring during the production and transport of inputs. To test the relevance of this new indicator, 38 mixed farms were surveyed in Brittany, France, and their NUE and SyNE were calculated and compared. Sensitivity analysis was performed to estimate the contribution of each variable to both indicators. We demonstrate SyNE is a useful indicator for comparing the N efficiency of different farming systems. We discuss its use in combination with system N balance (SyNB), a N loss indicator at the system scale. The combination of both indicators gives a more reliable estimate of the productive efficiency and potential environmental impacts of N in various farming systems