The Zambian Land Evaluation System (ZLES)

Abstract. A Land Evaluation System for rainfed agriculture has been developed in Zambia. It is intended for use in reconnaissance and semi-detailed land evaluation studies, and works with 74 subqualities, 40 crops and four input levels. The subqualities are rated and converted into constraint classes per input level. The most limiting constraints determine the final suitability class. Expected yields per suitability class and input level are then estimated. The system was calibrated by a field study at four locations. Comparisons were made between expected and actual yields and expected and actual constraints. The range of actual yields was wider than that expected, probably because of variation in management between farmers. The average actual and expected yields were strongly correlated, but chi-squared tests showed that they were significantly different. The system generally works well in assessing land suitability for crops commonly grown in Zambia.     

ALES: a framework for land evaluation using a microcomputer

Abstract. ALES , the Automated Land Evaluation System, is a microcomputer program that allows land evaluators to build their own knowledge-based systems with which they can compute the physical and economic suitability of land map units, in accordance with the FAO's Framework for Land Evaluation. The economic suitability of a land mapping unit for a land utilization type is determined from the predicted annual gross margin per unit area. Increasing limitations result in increased costs of production, decreased yields, or both. Evaluators build decision trees to express inferences from land characteristics to land qualities, from land qualities to predicted yields, and from land qualities to overall physical suitability. A representative model is described.     

A land suitability assessment for tropical forage legumes

Land suitability assessments for forage legume production (genera Stylosanthes, Centrosema, and Desmodium) for 21 Hawaii soils were obtained by using a land suitability classification based on Soil Taxonomy. Land assessments based on four qualities, viz., nutrient availability, water availability, soil acidity and soil thermal regime, indicated that six of the soils were unsuitable for forage legume production without application of agricultural inputs (fertilizer, lime, and irrigation). Nutrient availability was the land quality that most frequently failed to meet the requirements of tropical forage legumes. Application of low levels of input reduced the number of unsuitable soils from six to three, whereas high inputs made all soils suitable for forage legume production. The land suitability assessments were consistent with published field results on forage legume performance in Hawaii. The results suggest that quick and reliable estimates of land use for forage legume production can be obtained wherever Soil Taxonomy is used in available surveys.     

Assessment of the FAO traditional land evaluation methods,A case study: Iranian Land Classification method

Land evaluation is a critical step in land‐use planning. Although many methods have been developed since the formulation of the FAO framework for land evaluation, several of the more traditional approaches still remain in widespread use but have not been adequately evaluated. Contrary to more recent land evaluation systems, which need considerable data, these systems only require basic soil and landscape information to provide a general view of land suitability for major types of land use. As the FAO initially presented its qualitative framework for land‐use planning, based on two previous methods developed in Iran and Brazil, in this study we assessed the reliability and accuracy of a traditional land evaluation method used in Iran, called land classification for irrigation (LCI), comparing its results with several qualitative and quantitative methods and actual yield values. The results showed that, although simpler than more recently developed methods, LCI provided reliable land suitability classes and also showed good relationships both with other methods analysed and with actual yields. Comparisons between qualitative and quantitative methods produced similar results for common crops (a barley–alfalfa–wheat–fallow rotation). However, these methods performed differently for opportunist crops (such as alfalfa) that are more dependent on income and market conditions than on land characteristics. In this work, we also suggest that using the FAO method to indicate LCI subclasses could help users or managers to recognize limitations for land‐use planning.     

Land requirements for Pinus halepensis Mill. growth in a plantation in Huesca, Spain

Abstract. Land requirements for Pinus halepensis Mill. growth were studied in thirty plots of a 40 year-old plantation in the semiarid Lower Ebro valley, northeast Spain, by comparing site index values to land characteristics. Site index at 40 years ranges from 4.1 m to 12.3 m. Moisture availability is the basic requirement for growth while nutrient availability has only a minor influence. Changes in moisture availability in the area are controlled by changes in soil rootable depth, with a minor effect of aspect. Soils developed on Tertiary gypsum rock are not suitable for afforestation with this species. Geomorphic and soil information may be combined, at various degrees of detail, to provide reliable estimates of Aleppo pine growth.     

After All,Land Belongs to the State: Examining the Benefits of Land Registration for Smallholders in Ethiopia

The role of land registration in reducing rural poverty has been debated for several decades. This article analyses the impacts of land registration on land rentals, security of land tenure, disputes over land, use of credit facilities from formal financial institutions and gender access and control over land. Our findings are based on data collected between April and December 2011 in irrigation systems in three regional states of Ethiopia using in‐depth interviews and field surveys. Land registration has a positive influence on land rentals by reducing the fear of landholders in losing land to renters. Important benefits of land registration also include enhancing tenure security through ensuring usufruct rights over land and addressing the conflicts that arise from the competition to access irrigable land. Joint land titling secures women's access to land and encourages women's decision‐making on land rentals, input use, cropping patterns and the marketing of harvest from irrigable plots. While land registration allows for improved tenure security, gender equity and reduced disputes over land, it does little to facilitate access to credit or increase the use of farm inputs. The findings suggest that more work needs to be carried out to translate the benefits of land registration into improved livelihoods by increasing investment in farm inputs, production of high value, off‐season crops and increase market participation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predicting nitrogen availability and losses following application of organic manures to arable land: MANNER

Abstract. A decision support system to predict the plant availability of nitrogen (N) following organic manure applications to land has been developed, drawing together the latest UK research information on factors affecting manure N availability and losses. The ADAS MAN ure N itrogen E valuation R outine (MANNER) accounts for manure N analysis, ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching and mineralization of manure organic N. Only a few easily available inputs are required to predict the amount of N volatilized or leached, and the fertilizer N value for the next crop grown. Predictions from MANNER have been evaluated by comparison with independently collected data from a range of experimental studies where pig, cattle and poultry manures were applied to arable crops. Good agreement was found ( r ² 60–79%, P <0.001), confirming that MANNER can provide a reliable estimate of the fertilizer N value of farm manures spread to arable land under a range of conditions.     

Exploring biophysical potential and sustainability of wheat cultivation in Uruguay at the national level

Abstract. A methodology is presented that explores soil survey information at the national level (1:1 M), generating sustainability indicators for wheat cultivation in Uruguay. Potential yields were calculated for simplified crop production situations under several constraints, such as limitation of water availability calculated from soil physical properties and climatic conditions, and limitation of nutrient availability calculated from soil fertility and climatic conditions. Land quality sufficiency was examined by comparing these yields with the constraint-free yield conditioned only by solar radiation, temperature and the crop's photosynthetic properties. Crop growth was simulated only for areas suitable for the defined agricultural use. Model runs were repeated with inclusion of a topsoil loss scenario over 20 years as defined from an erosion risk analysis. Comparison between crop growth simulations for the two situations, gives an indication of the changes in land quality status, which supplies an indicator for agroecological sustainability.
On the basis of crop growth simulation it is concluded that wheat production constraints in Uruguay appear to be mainly related to water availability limitations, while nutrient availability is near optimal for the suitable soils. The simulated loss of topsoil impacts most on soil physical properties, expressed in reduced water-limited yields. Soil fertility status, evaluated by change in nutrient-limited yields, was little affected by the scenario.     

Principles of land appraisal and land use planning within the European Community

Abstract. In the European Community (EC) a change towards more market-oriented land use planning is required because of surplus stocks of cereals and dairy products, while at the same time other agricultural goods have to be imported. The implementation of such a policy has to be based on a scientifically sound and objective inventory of the physical potential of the EC as a whole.
Principles of such a physical land assessment are explained, using the concepts of the FAO-Framework for Land Evaluation and the Agro-ecological Zone Approach, but adapted to European conditions. The conclusions arrived at through this procedure lead to different alternatives and scenarios, and hence provide valuable background information for future land use planning.     

内蒙古宜耕沙地作物适宜性评价与节水灌溉方式配置

内蒙古自治区拥有大量宜耕沙地,但普遍都面临干旱缺水、土壤漏水漏肥、地表高温、微地形复杂等问题,经营管理不善不仅会进一步加剧水资源危机,而且还会因土地生产力水平低下而导致土地撂荒与沙化。为了在作物种植结构优化与灌溉方式选配方面给当地农户提供参考依据,该研究从内蒙古宜耕沙地可持续利用过程中所遇到的共性问题出发,以内蒙古自治区近5 a产量和种植面积都居前的7种农作物(春玉米、春小麦、谷子、大豆、油菜、水稻、马铃薯)为评价对象,从需水量、有效积温、土壤pH值、增温响应、经济效益、耐旱性能等6方面对其适宜性进行分析与比较。同时,又以该地区近10 a种植面积居前的8种牧草(冰草属牧草、沙蒿、柠条锦鸡儿、批碱草属牧草、羊草、紫花苜蓿、沙打旺、无芒雀麦)和1种近年来得到广泛关注的牧草(青贮玉米)为评价对象,从降水量、气温、土壤pH值、营养价值等四方面对其适宜性进行了分析与比较。然后,针对各种作物的种植模式,结合各种灌溉方式的自身特点以及内蒙古宜耕沙地主要的土壤、气候、地形地貌特征,以提高水分与养分利用效率为主要目标,为各种作物选配了适宜的节水灌溉方式。结果表明适宜在内蒙古宜耕沙地上种植的农作物依次为春玉米、春小麦、谷子、大豆、油菜、水稻、马铃薯,牧草依次为冰草属牧草、沙蒿、青贮玉米、柠条锦鸡儿、批碱草属牧草、羊草、紫花苜蓿/沙打旺、无芒雀麦。在条件许可的情况下建议玉米、水稻、大豆、马铃薯等疏植作物选用滴灌甚至膜下滴灌,其他密植作物(包括牧草)选用喷灌。因该研究在对作物适宜性进行评价时所采纳的数据均来自于公开发表的文献资料,试验条件存在较大差异,并且所采纳的评价指标以及权重因子在一定程度上仍存在主观性,导致评价方法仍有待进一步改进与完善,但相关结果仍可为内蒙古宜耕沙地可持续高效利用提供借鉴。     

云南作物生产潜力的海拔修正对耕地自然等别评价结果的影响

作物光温生产潜力(thermal potential productivity,TPP)、气候生产潜力(climatic potential productivity,CPP)是农用地质量分等技术体系中的重要参数,其客观性对分等结果的准确性有很大影响。在耕地分布海拔差异较大的区域,实际工作中以县级气象站点TPP、CPP代替全县域TPP、CPP的取值方式导致耕地质量评价结果的准确性不足。该文旨在通过对气象站点指定作物TPP、CPP进行海拔修正,获取陆良县气象站点以外区域的指定作物潜力值并探讨其对耕地自然质量等的影响。首先,以第1轮云南省农用地分等工作中陆良县归属的滇中高原盆地区56个县级气象站点指定作物的TPP、CPP为基础,生成区域内一季稻、夏玉米、冬小麦TPP、CPP的海拔修正模型;其次,在陆良县县域范围内,每村各选取一块质量最好的旱地和水田,以样点旱地、样点水田作物实际单产验证模型的合理性;最后,验算陆良县范围内所有耕地采用修正后的TPP、CPP评定的自然质量等与采用修正前的TPP、CPP评定的自然质量等的差异。结果显示:各样点一季稻、夏玉米、冬小麦的实际单产均低于修正前和修正后的TPP、CPP,且与修正后的TPP、CPP随海拔的变化趋势一致;修正后的一季稻、夏玉米、冬小麦TPP、CPP较修正前更符合自然实际;全县修正后的耕地自然质量等较修正前变化范围为?0.8~1.7等,且99.76%的耕地自然质量等较修正前降低值在1.5等以内。     

The fertility capability soil classification system: Interpretation,applicability and modification

This paper summarizes the first five years of testing and evaluation of the Fertility Capability Soil Classification System (FCC) and presents an improved version, examples of interpretation and its applicability. FCC is a technical system for grouping soils according to the kinds of problems they present for agronomic management of their chemical and physical properties. It emphasizes quantifiable topsoil parameters as well as subsoil properties directly relevant to plant growth. FCC-classes indicate the main fertility-related soil constraints, which can be interpreted in relation to specific farming systems or land utilization types. Since its publication in 1975, the FCC has been tested, evaluated and put to use in various countries. As a result, the definitions of several modifiers have been changed and additional modifiers have been introduced. Soil maps can be interpreted and redrawn as FCC-units when the necessary data are available. Portions of the FAO/Unesco (1971, 1974, 1977) Soil Maps of the World have been converted to FCC-units with minor difficulties. The system is directly applicable to FAO's (1976) Land Evaluation Guidelines.     

Using expert systems and simulation modelling for land evaluation at farm level: a case study from New York State

Abstract. A land evaluation at farm level was made for a toposequence of three New York soils, using the FAO framework and the LEACHN simulation model. The land utilization type (LUT) was continuous corn, using three varieties with different growing periods. Ten experts identified the same land qualities but three different types of land characteristics, as derived from soil survey data, field observations and simulation modelling. Differences could be explained by the backgrounds of the experts. A land evaluation procedure according to framework criteria using decision trees rather than matching tables was more accessible and transparent. Simulation of the soil-water regime provided quantitative data for all land qualities considered, and this procedure was preferred to qualitative estimates based on poorly defined procedures. When some land qualities cannot be characterized by simulation, however, a mix of qualitative and quantitative decision tree branches may be considered. The standard scheme of land evaluation, which is scale independent, provides irrelevant results at farm level because farmers' questions are different from those of regional planners who are well served by the traditional land evaluation procedure. For the farmer, development of decision support systems should be focused on optimal management decisions.     

The use of land evaluation information by land use planners and decision-makers: a case study in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract. Land evaluation is the prediction of land performance over time under specific uses, to guide strategic land use decisions. Modern land evaluation has a 30 year history, yet the results have often been disappointing. Land users and planners have been reported to ignore land evaluations, perhaps reflecting poor quality, low relevance, or poor communication. To test the success of a large land evaluation exercise undertaken as part of micro-catchment project in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, we queried agricultural extensionists, considered as the primary land evaluation clients. We used a questionnaire with both structured and open questions, to determine their experiences with, and attitudes to, the current land evaluation method. The soil resource inventory and associated land evaluation had some usefulness, but were not in general used for their intended purpose, namely farm planning. This was mainly because they did not contain crucial information necessary to such planning in the actual context of the farmer taking decisions. The primary deficiencies were identified as:

• (1)

  no estimate of environmental degradation risk;

       
  
  

Linking landforms and land use to land degradation in the Middle River Njoro Watershed

Land degradation is the decline in the productive capacity of an ecosystem. This mainly occurs due to processes induced by human activities, such as deforestation, poor farming practices, or enhanced industrial growth leading to various land degradation processes such as, flooding, drought and accelerated erosion. The objective of the study was to link landforms and land uses to land degradation. Soils in the catchments were distinguished on the basis of Physiographic, parent material/ geology and soil characteristics. Eight soil mapping units were identified in the area. The validity of the identified soil mapping units were checked in the field using auger hole, mini pits, road and erosion cut observations. Representative profile pits were sighted in the major mapping units. The profile pits were described according to FAO (1977) and Kenya Soil Survey (1987). Soil classification was done according to FAO/UNESCO (1997). Soil mapping units were found to follow soil physiographic units/ land forms. Soils on mountains and hills were found to be somewhat excessively drained, shallow to moderately deep. Those from uplands and plateaus were well drained, deep to very deep. Soils on plains fell on two extremes; those that were well drained, deep to very deep and those that were imperfectly drained to poorly drained, moderately deep to very deep. Physical, chemical and biological land degradation was found to take place in the different physiographic units/ land forms at varying degrees. Soil erosion, nutrient depletion and vegetation depletion were found to be the most important degradation processes. Soil, physiographic units, soil susceptibility and hazard maps were drawn and their classes in the different landforms established.     

基于限制因子的粤北丘陵山区耕地宜机化整治分区

耕地宜机化整治是推进丘陵山区农业机械化的重要途径。该研究以粤北为研究区,以行政村为评价单元,基于限制因子可改良程度,运用加权求和法和改进障碍度模型确定整治潜力和难度,进而运用四象限法划定耕地宜机化整治分区。结果表明：1）高潜力整治区主要分布在丘陵山地,低潜力整治区主要分布于盆地。2）机耕道建设数量不足,地块较为分散,地块形状不规整是制约研究区耕地宜机化的主要原因。3）按整治潜力和难度,分为优先整治区、稍加整治区、全面整治区和后备整治区,面积占比分别为10.48%、46.57%、34.52%和4.80%。4）制定耕地宜机化整治专项规划,出台相关技术标准,因地制宜,建设为互联互通地块、水平条田、水平梯田、缓坡旱地、梯台旱地等不同类型宜机化耕地。基于整治潜力和整治难度的耕地宜机化整治分区方法能够用于耕地宜机化整治规划,利于后续耕地宜机化整治决策,研究结果在一定程度上指导耕地宜机化整治时序安排。     

Qualitative and quantitative land-suitability evaluation for sunflower and maize in the north-west of Iran

Land evaluation is the act of predicting the use potential of land on the basis of its attributes. The objective of this study was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative land suitability for the north-west of Iran on the basis of a FAO model for sunflower and maize crops. Growing cycle was determined using the CDBm (Monthly Climate Database) model and soils were classified in two orders of Mollisols and Vertisols, which consisted of seven soil families based on soil data and Keys to Soil Taxonomy 2010. Qualitative evaluation was carried out using the square root of parametric (SRP) method and quantitative evaluation was performed on the basis of observed yields under an average management level. The results showed that in the surveyed area, the climatic class had moderate suitability (S2) for maize and sunflower due to limitations imposed by the relative humidity of the growing cycle. The most important land limitation factors were soil parameters like pH, CaCO₃ content, texture and coarse fragments, as well as topography and drainage in the area of study. Based on qualitative evaluation with SRP, 24.69 and 17.71% of land had non-suitable class (N1) for maize and sunflower, respectively. Quantitative land suitability for maize and sunflower showed that 24.69 and 9.81% of land had non-suitable class (N1), respectively.     

稻-鱼系统的发展与未来思考

耕地和淡水是保证全球食物可持续供应所必不可少的资源,如何有效利用有限的水土资源、在保障食物供给的同时降低农业生产过程对资源环境的负面影响,是当今世界农业面临的重大挑战。稻-鱼系统(本文的"鱼"是水产生物的统称)是通过有效利用水土资源同时产出稻谷和水产品的重要农业方式,对保障区域食物供给和保护当地资源和环境有重要作用。近几十年来全球稻鱼-系统迅速发展,至目前全球六大洲的稻作区共28个国家都有了稻-鱼系统的分布;在中国稻-鱼系统也正由原来传统、规模小、养殖单一的模式逐渐发展为规模化、专业化、机械化和养殖多样化的模式。大量研究表明,稻-鱼系统可实现水稻产量稳定和获得水产品,稻-鱼系统同时具有化肥农药减量和农业面源污染降低等效应;稻-鱼系统也有助于解决水产单一养殖而产生的面源污染。虽然全球1.63亿hm2稻田面积90%以上具有发展稻-鱼系统的潜力,但目前稻-鱼系统的比例仍很低,我国稻-鱼系统面积也仅占稻田面积的4.48%。因此,保障稳产高效可持续的稻-鱼系统发展,需要对不同稻作区发展稻-鱼系统的生态经济可行性和适应性进行评估,同时必须建立新的技术体系(田间设施、种养结合技术、农业机械等),并适当扩大规模和创建品牌以增加农民收益。     

Dris evaluation of n,p, k status of determinent soybeans in Brazil

Abstract

The Diagnois and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) has advantage over the critical value method to assess the state of nutrient balance of plants because it utilizes nutrient ratio relationships. The DRIS method was evaluated utilizing 3 data sets of N, P, and K foliar analyses of determinent soybeans from P‐response experiments in Brazil. Evaluation of data sets collected at growth stage R‐2 resulted in lowest calculated DRIS sum, an indication of highest degree of nutrient balance, to conform to highest yield. The DRIS method proved useful as a analytical tool to evaluate responsiveness of soybeans to phosphorus fertilizer materials. Foliar analyses of plants approaching maturity, R‐7, would indicate a different order of nutrient requirements than when collected at growth stages R‐2 or R‐5. This would suggest that DRIS, as a nutrient status evaluation instru‐ ment, also has limitations as to plant age. The order of requirement appears to account for judgement of high and low levels of nutrients, but needs some additional interpretation with respect to sufficiency of nutrients. Because DRIS can be used to diagnos nutrient balance and imbalance, refinement of the method for use with annual crops should be encouraged.