New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Laboratory Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY OF FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE NORTHEAST

Location: New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Title: Geospatial evaluations of potato production systems in Maine

Authors
item Defauw, Sherri
item Larkin, Robert
item English, Patrick J. -
item Halloran, John
item Hoshide, Aaron K. -

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 23, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The sustainability of Maine potato production systems has been a major concern for at least the past 35 years due to several interrelated factors including soil erosion, degraded soil quality, high potential for soilborne diseases, and traditional short rotations (2- and 3-year) with crops that do not produce significant cash flow. Geographic information systems (GIS) data assemblages were used to update and map soil erodibility risks as well as track crop sequencing in potato-based systems. Several crop rotation options were identified that substantially improved net farm income and soil quality. Geospatial frameworks help resolve patterns and trends in production environments (at multiple scales) that may, in turn, facilitate the wider adoption of adaptive management strategies which enhance yield, increase whole-farm profitability, and foster sustainable land use. This research is useful for growers, extension personnel, and scientists, providing updated information on farmland soils use as well as the benefits and economic impacts for select alternate crops.

Technical Abstract: Maine consistently ranks in the top ten potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production areas though yields are substantially lower than the mid- and western USA. Geospatial frameworks help resolve patterns and trends in production environments (at multiple scales) that may enable improvements in adaptive management strategies which enhance yield, increase whole-farm profitability, and foster sustainable land use. Results from geospatial integration of remotely-sensed cropland (2008-2010) and soil datasets for Maine indicate an estimated 61,900 ha in potato production with 62% and 27% on prime farmland (PF) and farmland of statewide importance (FSI), respectively. Geospatial analyses of other agri-environmental indicators indicate close to 85% of these potato production soils are classified as either “potentially highly erodible” (PHEL) or “highly erodible” (HEL); therefore, at least 52,300 ha require the highest standards in soil conservation practices. Crop rotation patterns for potato, derived from the time-series geo-referenced datasets, help resolve actual cropping practices and facilitated evaluation of the benefits and economic impacts for select alternate crops.

   

 
Project Team
Larkin, Robert - Bob
Halloran, John
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainability (216)
  Plant Diseases (303)
  Climate Change, Soils, and Emissions (212)
 
Related Projects
   ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY OF UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN THE NORTHEAST THROUGH SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS
 
 
Last Modified: 05/21/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House