Pesticide-free arable cropping systems: performances, learnings, and technical lock-ins from a French long-term field trial

• DOI: 10.1007/s13593-023-00931-7
• Publication Date: 2023-11-28T12:02:18Z
• Authors: Caroline Colnenne...; Marie-Hélène Jeuf...; Gilles Grandeau; Thierry Doré
• Keywords: Arable land; Pesticide application; Field trial; Cropping system

Abstract To ensure regular and high yields, current agriculture is based on intensive use of pesticides fertilizers, which are detrimental to the environment human health. Moreover, as pest resistance increases, more taken off market, national European policies becoming powerful drivers deliver pesticide-free farming systems. Whereas numerous studies have compared organic versus conventional systems, our study assessed, for first time, performances a arable cropping system (No-Pesticide), using synthetic specifically designed produce yields meet environmental goals. This was with an input-based same targets (PHEP: productive performances) in 11-year field trial France (Paris Basin). Banning did not result significant average yield gap (in GJ.ha −1 .year or kg N.ha ) calculated over crop sequence. Yet, some crops’ significantly decreased, due either damages, limited nitrogen nutrition. In No-Pesticide system, mycotoxin content cereal grains lower than regulatory threshold, wheat protein higher required standard baking. Indirect energy consumption, total greenhouse gas emissions, number technical operations, fertilizer amounts, treatment frequency indexes were PHEP system. Conversely, results showed direct work hours weed control. We identify highly effective agricultural strategies avoid pesticide (e.g., widely diverse long sequence; introduction hemp) pinpoint several lock-ins hampering steady production argue that experiments should be undertaken knowledge managing major orphan species within provide supplementary results, including economic social performances.