Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T13:40:53.371Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Toward a sustainable agriculture: Need for clarification of concepts and terminology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Dennis R. Keeney
Dennis R. Keeney
Affiliation:
Professor of Agronomy and Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011.
Get access

Abstract

Recently there has been a change in thinking among many agricultural leaders and researchers toward a major focus on agricultural sustainability. To make progress toward such sustainability requires a clear delineation of its concepts and components. In this paper, I attempt to clarify relevant concepts and terminology in an effort to facilitate communication and cooperation. I also recognize, however, the intense feelings involved in these definitions. More satisfactory definitions will come in time as research and practice continue.

Keywords

soil erosionfertilizerspesticidesbiotechnologypolicyeducation
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 4 , Issue 3-4 , December 1989 , pp. 101 - 105
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Beyer, E. M., Duffy, M. J., Hay, J. V., and Schlueter, D. D.. 1986. Sulfonylurea herbicides. Herbicides: Chemistry, degradation, and mode of action 3:117–189.Google Scholar
2.Blackmer, A. M., Pottker, D., Cerrato, M. E., and Webb, J.. 1989. Correlations between soil nitrate concentrations in late spring and corn yields in Iowa. J. Prod. Agric. 2:103–109.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Brown, G. E. 1989. The critical challenges facing the structure and function of agricultural research. J. Prod. Agric. 2:98–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Carter, H. O. 1989. Agricultural sustainability: An overview and research assessment. Calif. Agric. May–June. pp. 16–17.Google Scholar
5.Daberkow, S. G., and Reichelderfer, K. H.. 1988. Low-input agriculture: Trends, goals and prospects for input use. Am. J. Agr. Econ. 70:1159–1166.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Duffy, M. 1989. Economic considerations in low-input sustainable agriculture. Unpublished manuscript. Department of Economics, Iowa State University.Google Scholar
7.Duvick, D. N. 1988. Responsible agricultural technology: Private industry's part. ProRege 16(4):2–14.Google Scholar
8.Francis, C. A., and Hildebrand, P. E.. 1989. Farming systems research/extension and the concepts of sustainability. Presented at the Ninth Annual International Farming Systems Symposium, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 10.Google Scholar
9.Francis, C. A., Rzewnicki, P. E., Franzluebbers, A., Jones, A. J., Dickey, E. C., and King, J. W.. 1989. Closing the information cycle: Participatory methods for on-farm research. Presented at Farmer Participation in Research for Sustainable Agriculture, Fayetteville, Arkansas, October.Google Scholar
10.Hamilton, N. D. 1989. Sustainable agriculture: The role of the attorney. Unpublished manuscript, Agricultural Law Center, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.Google Scholar
11.Heichel, G. H., and Barnes, D. K.. 1984. Opportunities for meeting crop nitrogen needs from symbiotic nitrogen fixation. In Organic Farming: Current Technology and Its Role in a Sustainable Agriculture. American Society of Agronomy Spec. Pub. 46. pp. 49–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Hoeft, R. G., and Nafziger, E. D.. 1988. Sustainable agriculture. Better Crops with Plant Food 72(2):9–11.Google Scholar
13.Jackson, W., Berry, W., and Colman, B.. 1984. Meeting the expectations of the land: Essays in sustainable agriculture and stewardship. North Point Press, San Francisco, California.Google Scholar
14.Keeney, D. R. 1986. Sources of nitrate to ground water. CRC Critical Reviews in Environmental Control 16(3):257–304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Keeney, D. R. 1989. Biotechnology and sustainable agriculture: The issue of “misguided resistance.” Iowa Groundwater Association Newsletter (submitted).Google Scholar
16.Keeney, D. R., and Oberle, S. L.. 1989. A case for agricultural systems research. Agron. Abstr. p. 34.Google Scholar
17.King, J. W., Francis, C. A., and Emal, J. G.. 1989. Evolution in revolution: New paradigms for agriculture and communication. Paper presented at Future Views. The Sixth General Assembly of the World Future Society, Washington, DC. 07.Google Scholar
18.Lancelle, M. 1982. Public policy and food security. In American Agriculture, Is It Sustainable? Proc. of a multidisciplinary conference. Wilmington College, Ohio. pp. 19–24.Google Scholar
19.Larson, W. E. 1981. Protecting the soil resource base. J. Soil Water Cons. 36:13–16.Google Scholar
20.Larson, W. E., Pierce, F. J., and Dowdy, R. H.. 1982. Our agricultural resources: Management for conservation. In English, B. C., Maetzold, J. A., Holding, B. R., and Heady, E. O. (eds.). Future Agricultural Technology and Resource Conservation. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. pp. 40–59.Google Scholar
21.Lockeretz, W. 1988. Issues in sustainable agriculture. Manuscript prepared for the Rural Economic Policy Program, Aspen Institute, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
22.Magette, W. L., Shirmachammadi, A., Lessley, B. V., and Weismiller, R. A.. 1989. Managing ground water quality in relation to agricultural activities. Water Res. Bull. 25:599–606.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23.National Academy of Sciences (NAS). 1982. Impacts of Emerging Agricultural Trends on Fish and Wildlife Habitat. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
24.National Academy of Sciences (NAS). 1989. Alternative Agriculture. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
25.Odum, E. P. 1989. Input management of production systems. Science 243:177–182.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Phipps, T. T., and Crosson, P. R.. 1986. Agriculture and the environment: An overview. In Phipps, T. T., Crosson, P. C., and Price, K. A. (eds.). Agriculture and the Environment. Resources for the Future, Washington, DC. pp. 3–31.Google Scholar
27.Ruttan, V. W. 1988. Sustainability is not enough. Am. J. Alt. Agr. 3:128–130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
28.Stinner, B. R., and House, G. J.. 1989. The search for sustainable agroecosystems. J. Soil Water Cons. 44:111–116.Google Scholar
29.Voss, R. D., and Shrader, W. D.. 1984. Rotation and legume sources of nitrogen for corn. In Organic Farming: Current Technology and Its Role in a Sustainable Agriculture. Amer. Soc. Agron. Spec. Pub. 46. pp. 61–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30.York, E. T. 1989. Research for a sustainable agriculture. Better Crops 73(3):8–11.Google Scholar
31.Young, D. L. 1988. Economic adjustment to sustainable agriculture: Discussion. Am. J. Agr. Econ. 70:1173–1174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar