Double cropping sequences in the Tres Arroyos County (Argentina)

This paper analyzes, comparatively, the performance of barley/soybean, rapeseed/soybean and wheat/soybean production systems as different land use options in the Tres Arroyos area (Argentina) in relation to aspects related to energy flow, nutrient flow, water use and pesticide use impact as measures of the impact on ecological sustainability. The evaluation is also carried out under different production models (in two agroecological areas and two levels of input application). The behavior of double cropping sequences in the use of energy, water, nutrients and pesticides is different, but is also modified to a large extent by the production model. The need arises to make an assessment of sustainability in an integrated manner, using appropriate tools that incorporate not only the ecological dimension of sustainability but also the economic and socio-cultural dimensions. Even, in a longer term, integrated into longer-term crop rotations.