Farmers’precision pesticide technology adoption and its influencing factors:Evidence from apple production areas in China

The research aimed to understand farmers’willingness to adopt(WTA)and willingness to pay(WTP)for precision pesticide technologies and analyzed the determinants of farmers’decision-making.We used a two-stage approach to consider farmers’WTA and WTP for precision pesticide technologies.A survey of 545 apple farmers was administered in Bohai Bay and the Loess Plateau in China.The data were analyzed using the double-hurdle model.The results indicated that 78.72%of respondents were willing to apply precision pesticide technologies provided by service organizations such as cooperatives and dedicated enterprises,and 69.72%were willing to buy the equipment for using precision pesticide technologies.The results of the determinant analysis indicated that farmers’perceived perceptions,farm scale,cooperative membership,access to digital information,and availability of financial services had significant and positive impacts on farmers’WTA precision pesticide technologies.Cooperative membership,technical training,and adherence to environmental regulations increased farmers’WTP for precision pesticide technologies.Moreover,nonlinear relationships between age,agricultural experience,and farmers’WTA and WTP for precision pesticide technology services were found.

Towards sustainable intensification of apple production in China—Yield gaps and nutrient use effi ciency in apple farming systems

China is in a dominant position in apple production globally with both the largest apple growing area and the largest export of fresh apple fruits. However, the annual productivity of China＇s apple is significantly lower than that of other dominant apple producing countries. In addition, apple production is based on excessive application of chemical fertilizers and the nutrient use efficiency （especially nitrogen） is therefore low and the nutrient emissions to the environment are high. Apple production in China is considerably contributes to farmers＇ incomes and is important as export product. There is an urgent need to enhance apple productivity and improve nutrient use efficiencies in intensive apple production systems in the country. These can be attained by improved understanding of production potential, yield gaps, nutrient use and best management in apple orchards. To the end, priorities in research on apple production systems and required political support are described which may lead to more sustainable and environmental-friendly intensification of apple production in China.

The Role of Biofertilization in Improving Apple Productivity―A Review

Biofertilization of crops with plant growth promoting microorganisms is currently considered as a healthy alternative to chemical fertilization. Biofertilizers are microbial preparations containing living cells of different microorganisms which have the ability to mobilize plant nutrients in soil from unusable to usable form. They are environmentally friendly, play a significant role in the crop production, help to build up the lost microflora and improve the soil health. Also, they increase crop yield by 20% - 30%, stimulate plant growth, are cost effective and provide optimal conditions for soil biological activity. They suppress pathogenic soil organisms, restore natural soil fertility and provide protection against drought and some soil borne diseases. Moreover, they degrade toxic organic chemicals, improve seed germination and aid in balancing soil pH in reducing soil erosion.

Improving energy efficiency of apple production by reduced application of pesticides

A large number of apple orchards are treated over 20 times during the vegetation period with high application rates(over 1000 L/hm^(2))or medium application rates(500-1000 L/hm^(2))of pesticides which require significant energy input.Experimental research was carried out in the Serbian region of Vojvodina with the aim to show the possibilities to reduce energy usage in apple production by reducing pesticide application rates(200-500 L/hm^(2))and smaller controlled number of treatments with pesticides while maintaining the biological efficiency of apple chemical protection.Research results showed that the cumulative life cycle energy demand of apple production in Vojvodina,assuming a typical 22 annual treatments and relatively high pesticide application rate(1150 L/hm^(2)),was 48 GJ/hm^(2)and energy output was 94 GJ/hm^(2).Reduced number of treatments and lower pesticide application rates have a favorable impact on energy inputs associated with diesel fuel,machinery,chemicals,water and electricity consumption and usage,whereas other energy inputs remain unchanged.The energy input for 12 treatments with pesticide application rates of 381 L/hm^(2)was 36 GJ/hm^(2),which is a 25%reduction in comparison to 22 treatments with a pesticide application rate of 1150 L/hm^(2).Reduced number of treatments and pesticide application rate increased the energy use efficiency from 1.96 to 2.61,energy productivity from 0.82 kg/MJ to 1.09 kg/MJ,and net energy from 46 GJ/hm^(2)to 58 GJ/hm^(2).Results also suggest that applying the correct IPM approach can easily lead to a strong reduction in the number of treatments and a major energy saving.