Sustainability of dryland cropping in the Palouse: An historical view

Excerpt

ALTHOUGH technological advances and varietal improvements have nearly doubled grain yields since World War II, the land resource in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest has undergone significant deterioration over the past 100 years (12, 21, 32, 33, 37). This historical trend has sparked concern about the ability to sustain present crop production levels over the long term. Degradation of the land base has resulted from significant top-soil losses, changes in soil structure and chemistry, and reduced soil organic matter. These factors are the consequence of tillage methods, crop rotations, and fertility practices used during this century.

An historical perspective on the impacts of the cereal-based agricultural system on the land resource is useful in identifying changes that will help sustain the productivity of the region's soils. A look at historical data does not imply a return to pre-industrial agriculture. Rather, it offers an opportunity to use previous research and innovation in which society has already invested. With limited resources to devote to solving current agricultural production problems, a blend of pertinent historical wisdom with emerging technology is needed. More than a century of agricultural research and field experience in the Palouse has provided …