Benefits through Innovative Cropping Patterns in the Hilly Regions of Southwest China: An Integrated Assessment of Emergy and Economic Returns

Author:

Li Tongliang123ORCID,Chen Wei123,Liu Fan123,Yao Hongqian123,Huo Qi123,Zhang Wei123,Yin Pijiang123,Feng Dongju123,Yuan Jichao123,Wang Xinglong123,Kong Fanlei123ORCID

Affiliation:

1. College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China

2. Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in Southwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu 611130, China

3. Crop Ecophysiology and Cultivation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China

Abstract

Optimizing Cropping patterns is important for the improvement of regional agricultural economic efficiency and sustainable development. However, there are few studies on the sustainability of cropping patterns in hilly areas. Here, we studied four new three-maturing cropping patterns in a typical ecological site in the hilly areas of southwest China. An analytical method combining economic efficiency evaluation and energy value analysis was used to evaluate and compare the economic efficiency and sustainability of the new cropping model and the traditional cropping model. We explored the construction of a new three-crop cropping model suitable for the southwest hilly area to improve the economic benefits of agricultural production and improve the sustainability of agricultural production. To solve the above problems, we constructed eight cropping patterns and classified them as follows: The Traditional Double Cropping System: T1, oilseed rape-summer soybean; T2, oilseed rape-summer maize; T3, wheat-summer maize. Traditional Triple Cropping System: T4, wheat/spring maize/summer soybean. Novel Triple Cropping System: T5, forage oilseed rape-spring maize/summer soybean; T6, forage oilseed rape-spring maize/peanut; T7, potato-spring maize/peanut; T8, potato-spring maize/summer soybean. The results of the study showed that compared with the Traditional Double Cropping System and the Traditional Triple Cropping System, the Novel Triple Cropping System increased the economic yield by an average of 100.39% and 49.18%, the economic production capacity by 71.32% and 36.48%, the biological yield by 12.53% and 4.90%, and the biological production capacity by 13.59% and 5.80%. The economic benefits of the Novel Triple Cropping System were significantly improved, with economic profits increased by CNY 9068 ·hm−2 and CNY 7533 ·hm−2 compared with the Traditional Double Cropping System and the Traditional Triple Cropping System. The energy value analysis further revealed the characteristics of the Novel Triple Cropping System as a high input and high output model. The Novel Triple Cropping System increased energy value inputs by 6.56% and 4.25%, and energy value outputs by 13.69% and 4.27% compared with the Traditional Double Cropping System and the Traditional Triple Cropping System, respectively. This high level of inputs stems mainly from a significant increase in labor inputs. Meanwhile, the energy-value indicator analysis of the Novel Triple Cropping System shows its lower dependence on natural resources, greater production intensification, and increased system stability. As a result, the Novel Triple Cropping System showed higher sustainable production capacity. In summary, the results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for optimizing cropping patterns and promoting high-yield and the sustainable development of agriculture.

Funder

National Key Research and Development Program

Sichuan Province Maize Innovation Team Building Project

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Agronomy and Crop Science

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