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Sustainable Intensification in Dryland Cropping Systems—Perspectives for Adaptions across the Western Siberian Grain Belt

Author

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  • Insa Kühling

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Working Group Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany)

  • Shohrukh Atoev

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Working Group Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany)

  • Dieter Trautz

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Working Group Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany)

Abstract

The Western Siberian grain belt is of global significance in terms of agricultural production as well as carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation. Regional downscaling of general circulation models predict increasing drought risks and water scarcity for this area. Additionally, significant land-use changes took place in this region after the dissolution of the USSR and collapse of the state farm system: Land-use intensity in Western Siberia (Russian Federation) continuously decreased on grassland, whilst on cropland the intensity increased through recultivation of abandoned cropland and rising fertilizer inputs since 2003. Together, these changing conditions have led to challenges for sustainable agriculture in this semi-arid environment. For sustainable land management, strategies for adapted crop production systems are needed. In agronomic field trials, the potential of enhanced water use efficiency as contribution to a resilient agricultural system under changing climate conditions was evaluated and related to the common practice and regional research. In participatory on-farm trials, higher average soil water content (+40%) in the top soil layer led to higher grain yield (+0.4 t ha −1 ) and protein yield (+0.05 t ha −1 ) under no-till compared to the common practice of conventional tillage. Despite this, regional research still promotes bare fallowing with beneficial effects only in the first harvest after fallow, whereas the potential of no-till was visible each year, even under above-average wet and cool growing conditions. In this case study from the Western Siberian grain belt, we depict a possible pathway to make cereal production in Western Siberia more sustainable. However, the approach of applied sustainable intensification by promoting no-till is related to the negative concomitant effect of increased herbicide applications. Due to the strict rejection of GMOs in Russian agriculture by the federal government, this is a great opportunity to maintain a large, pristine area of over 17 million km 2 with a lower risk of glyphosate-dependent cropping systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Insa Kühling & Shohrukh Atoev & Dieter Trautz, 2018. "Sustainable Intensification in Dryland Cropping Systems—Perspectives for Adaptions across the Western Siberian Grain Belt," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:8:y:2018:i:5:p:63-:d:143805
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Storrle, Maria & Brauckmann, Hans-Jorg & Broll, Gabriele, 2017. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Livestock Manure Management in Southwestern Siberia, Russia," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 6(2), May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Tongxin & Tang, Xuguang & Zheng, Chen & Gu, Qing & Wei, Jin & Ma, Mingguo, 2018. "Differences in ecosystem water-use efficiency among the typical croplands," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 142-150.
    2. Hajer Guesmi & Cyrine Darej & Piebiep Goufo & Salah Ben Youssef & Mohamed Chakroun & Hichem Ben Salem & Henrique Trindade & Nizar Moujahed, 2022. "Stubble Quality of Wheat Grown under No-Tillage and Conventional Tillage Systems, and Effects of Stubble on the Fermentation Profile of Grazing Ewes’ Ruminal Fluid," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Luciano Pilotti, 2018. "Cultural Economy for the Environmental Preservation of the Landscape as a Key Resource in Historic Territories," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-12, October.

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