Winter, 1992 (v5n2)
	Agroecological foundations of alternative agriculture in California Altieri, Miguel A. Agric. Ecosystems Environ. 39:23-53. 1992 (Abstract reprinted with permission) "Most agricultural regions of California enjoy long growing seasons, fertile soils and irrigation, all conditions that favor a highly diversified cropping. In addition, the wide variety of vegetables, field and tree crops determine a high diversity and flexibility of agricultural enterprises. Despite these factors, Californian agroecosystems are dominated by monocultural cropping systems. Although productive, these systems lack the ecological features to ensure efficient nutrient cycling, water and soil conservation, and biotic regulation. Productivity is subsidized with chemical inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, some of which cause undesirable environmental and public health hazards. Large-scale monocultures are also highly susceptible to wind erosion and are dependent on ground water for irrigation, leading in some areas to a considerable 'overdraft'. In other regions, poor field drainage and rising water tables are leading to unacceptable soil salinity levels. In summary, California agriculture is very productive, but the environmental cost of such productivity is threatening the sustainability of agriculture. "The search for self-sustaining, low-input, diversified and energy-efficient agricultural systems is now a major concern of researchers, farmers, policy makers and the public in California. The long tradition in biological pest control in California, as well as the experience of a number of organic farmers who developed low-input systems through 'trial and error', provide the building blocks for the search for a more sustainable agriculture. "A key in sustainable agriculture is to restore the agricultural landscape. Diversity can be enhanced in time through crop rotations and sequences, and in space in the form of cover crops, intercropping, agroforestry crop/livestock mixtures, etc. Vegetation diversification not only results in pest regulation through restoration of natural control, but also produces optimal nutrient recycling, energy conservation and less dependence on cultural inputs. In California, although this new approach to agriculture is actively researched, realistically it will work only if it is economically sensible and can be carried out within the constraints of a fairly normal agricultural system. Therefore, adoptions of recommended diversification designs will proceed as these reduce costs and increase the efficiency and viability of farms." For more information write to: Miguel Altieri, Division of Biological Control, University of California, 1050 San Pablo Ave., Albany, CA 94706. (DEC.343a) Contributed by David Chaney [ Back | Search | Feedback ]