The R ole of Leg um es in O rg a nic a nd Low Input A g ric ulture: P res ent a nd in the Future. Arja Nykänen

Transcription

1 The R ole of Leg um es in O rg a nic a nd Low Input A g ric ulture: P res ent a nd in the Future Arja Nykänen

2 Benefits of Legumes Nitrogen Self-sufficient via biological nitrogen fixation Fertilisation effect for following crop Energy Use of solar energy in situ Save on fossil energy resources Chemical nitrogen fertilisers: 1 litre oil for 1 kg nitrogen No energy for tarnsportation and broadcasting Biogas production via fermentation

3 Benefits of Legumes Nitrogen Energy Forage and feed quality Forage intake is higher with legume-based forage followed by higher production Reduced dependence on non-forage feeds Local / home grown protein-rich feed Europe imports about 70% of its plant-derived protein Legumes including condensated tannins (Lotus, sainfoin, sulla) prevent bloating, increase nitrogen utilisation, decrease parasite problems Beneficial mineral content

4 Benefits of Legumes Nitrogen Energy Forage and feed quality Food quality and health benefit Legumes effect the chemical, functional and sensorial properties of milk and meat (more conjugated linoleic acid, polyunsaturated acids) Animal products from legume-based systems are thought to be more natural by consumers Grain legumes help to prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity

5 Benefits of Legumes Nitrogen Energy Forage and feed quality Food quality and health benefit Environmental benefits Higher Nitrogen use efficiency On field level On system level By ruminants Less transient high soil mineral nitrogen concentrations GHG emissions Nitrogen leaching

6 Benefits of Legumes Nitrogen Energy Forage and feed quality Food quality and health benefits Environmental benefits Ecosystem services Higher biodiversity Root exudates enhance the growth of beneficial soil organisms Break soil-borne cereal disease cycles Deep rooting legumes improve the soil structure Increase soil organic matter content

7 Benefits of Legumes Nitrogen Energy Forage and feed quality Food quality and health benefits Environmental benefits Ecosystem services Economic gain High yields without inorganic fertilisers Global warming increased legume yields relative to grasses Including extra 10% legumes in grasslands would result ha -1 for farmers Million for the European livestock farming sector (Doyle & Topp 2002)

8 Forage area under legumes in 12 European countries ha Legumes Legumes+grass/root crops (FAOSTAT 2001)

9 Areas planted with bean and pea crops in the EU between s ha Beans Peas (FAOSTAT 2008)

10 Difficulties with Legumes Less stable and predictable yields compared to cereals and grasses with inorganic nitrogen fertilisers Establishment, management and maintenance of perennial legume-based swards Plant diseases of legumes Annual weeds increase in wide row space cultivation Bloat, oestrogen problems Environmental risks Timing of nitrogen mineralisation and leaching risk? Greenhouse gas emissions?

11 EU-funded Legume-projects COST 852: Quality Legume-Based Forage Systems for Contrasting Environments, FP6 GLIP Grain Legumes Integrated Project, FP6 GL-TTP Grain Legumes Technology Transfer Platform, FP6 EUROCROP Agricultural research for improving arable crop competitiveness, FP6 LEGSIL Legumes for silage in low input animal production systems, FP5 GL-Pro European extension network for the development of grain legume production in the EU,FP5 EU-Faba Faba bean breeding for sustainable agriculture, FP5 LINK Legume Interactive Network, FP4

12 LEGUME FUTURES Legume-supported cropping systems for Europe EU FP7 funded project to start in February partners in 13 countries coordinated by Bob Rees, Scottish Agricultural University

13 LEGUME FUTURES Projec t coordination (W P 7) R e view s an d a nalys es Reviews and analyses Analysis a of o f existing re seresearch a nd sou and rce s (W recources P5 ) WP5 Experimental data E xp erim ent al data Case C a se stu d ie s Dstudies a ta se ts (W P1 ) WP1 S tud ie s o f e n viron m e n ta l b u rde n s a nd b io d ive rs ity (W P3 WP3 ) Environme ntal impact D a ta p ro vision Data management D ata m a n a ge m e n t New N e w system m design (W P 2 ) WP2 Modelling WP6 M o de ll ing (W P 6) So cio -e co no m ics (W P 3) Socioeconomics WP4 S ce na rio ana ly sis E xt ernal us er inp ut External user inputs Scenarios S c ena rios O ut puts a nd d eliv erables Outputs and deliverables D a ta S ys tem des igns T es ted s cen ario s C o m m u nic atio n s a n d re se arch d elive ry, lo ca l us ers g rou p s a n d sta ke ho ld e r inte ra ctio ns (W P 5 ) Communications and research delivery, local users groups and stakeholder S u sta ininteractions ab le le g um e b a se d WP5 cro p pin g syste m s Sustainable legume based cropping systems

14 Conclusions Legumes have the basis for higher profits per hectare, but it is more difficult to gain Tools for farmers Desicion making Production practices Multidisciplinary system research Micro-organisms soil plant animal consumer markets economics politics sosiology Consumer aspect Health benefits Processing legume-based foodstuffs

15 Thank you for your attention!