Technology and knowledge-based behavioral differences in the application of fertilizer: The environmental burden of chrysanthemum cultivation in greenhouse in Atsumi region, Aichi prefecture [Japan]
2006
Yamauchi, T.(Mie Univ., Tsu (Japan)) | Ohara, K.
This study discusses the motivational factors of applying excessive amounts of fertilizer by farmers producing chrysanthemum in greenhouse production in the Atsumi region of Aichi Prefecture, with particular emphasis on the characteristics of the farmers. The results indicate that farmers who applied large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (1.5 times more than Aichi Prefecture's fertilizer fixed amount) were mainly attempting to improve the quality of the product and increase the crop yield. While their practices may have been the result of upgraded agricultural management, they did not always consider the environmental degradation caused by their actions. Farmers who applied a medium-large amount of nitrogen fertilizer (which ranges from more than 1.0 times to less than 1.5 times as per the Aichi Prefecture's fertilizer guidelines) had less knowledge of advanced technologies and environmental preservation issues, and tended to apply fertilizer based mainly on past experience. In addition, the following practices used by farmers who applied less nitrogen than the Aichi Prefecture guidelines are suggested as possible methods to reduce excessive fertilizer application on chrysanthemum: 1) repetition of cultivation and application of compost with a low rate of nitrogen, such as 'coconut fiber'; 2) usage of drip irrigation fertilizer and applying additional applications according to growth rates; and 3) application of fertilizers with particular reference to soil characteristics.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]