ECO-RATING SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING PESTICIDE USE AT FARM-LEVEL - PART 1- THEORY AND DEVELOPMENT

Citation
Ka. Lewis et al., ECO-RATING SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING PESTICIDE USE AT FARM-LEVEL - PART 1- THEORY AND DEVELOPMENT, Journal of agricultural engineering research, 68(3), 1997, pp. 271-279
Citations number
27
ISSN journal
00218634
Volume
68
Issue
3
Year of publication
1997
Pages
271 - 279
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-8634(1997)68:3<271:ESFOPU>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
A computer-based decision support system is described which aims to en courage and enhance sound environmental management within agriculture. Part of the system focuses on the management of pesticides on the far m, and can help to ensure that the farmer adopts practices which maxim ize crop production and profitability without jeopardizing the environ ment. The approach taken looks at all aspects of farm pesticide use in cluding crop applications, storage and waste disposal and the use of n on-crop pesticides. As a whole, the system can act as a informal envir onmental management system. An ecorating is derived by comparing actua l farm practices with what is perceived to be best practice for the si te, to provide a measure of environmental performance. The first time the method is used, these indices act as benchmarks against which the success of future improvements can be judged. The system has three mod es of operation. An ''assessment mode'' seeks to identify strengths an d weakness in practices and regulatory compliance and to provide guida nce on areas where improvements could be made. In support of this, a s econd mode known as the ''technical system'' allows the user to explor e ''what-if'' scenarios in order to identify site-specific best practi ce and aims to provide answers to the issues raised in the assessement mode. The third mode is a fully integrated hypertext information syst em containing a range of context-sensitively mapped text on agricultur e and the environment which can be used on a stand-alone basis or acce ssed from any part of the software system. (C) 1997 Silsoe Research In stitute.