Articles
FARMING SYSTEMS RESEARCH ON FIELD PRODUCED VEGETABLES IN THE NETHERLANDS
The project was carried out on four experimental farms located in the main production areas.
The experiments were carried out on a semi-practical scale with a fully phased rotation of crops representative for the region.
All farm inputs en outputs were measured.
The inputs on farm level and/or on crop level were compared to targets derived from national and international legislation/policy.
The nutrient surplus on farm level for N, P2O5 and K2O was respectively 92 kg/ha, 8 kg/ha and 62 kg/ha.
The targets for nutrient surpluses derived from Dutch policy for the year 2000 were amply reached.
To reduce the risk of N-leaching, the mineral N at the start of the leaching season (November) was kept as low as possible.
Targets of 70 kg mineral N per ha (clay) and 45 kg mineral N per ha (sand) were set.
For autumn lettuce and leek on sandy soils and on soils with a high mineralisation this target could not always be reached.
The pesticide use on farm level was 0,9 kg active ingredients (a.i.)/ha for herbicides, 1,0 kg a.i./ha for insecticides and 2,2 kg a.i./ha for fungicides.
Nematicides were not used.
The targets derived from Dutch policy for the year 2000 were amply reached on farm level.
Economically the financial yields for most crops were comparable to the average agricultural practice.
Financial yields for head lettuce and iceberg lettuce were lower than the average agricultural practice.