The purpose of this study is to investigate comparative advantages of corn in comparison with other competitor crops. To do so, Linear Programming, to 2004-2005 data related to classic index (DRC) in Kermanshah province was applied. Results showed that corn has comparative advantages in all regions of Kermanshah province while in optimal cultivation pattern of 37.5 percentages of regions in exi...

This study analyzes the potential impacts of expanded ethanol production on southern agriculture. Results of regression analysis suggest that acreage planted for field crops (corn, cotton, soybeans, and wheat) is inelastic with respect to relative prices. The results provide statistical evidence of potential significant acreage shifts favoring corn over cotton, soybeans, and wheat. Simulations ...

Cover crop growing periods in the western U.S. Corn Belt could be extended by planting earlier. We evaluated both pre-harvest broadcast interseeding and post-harvest drilling of following cover crops: (a) cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) [RYE]; (b) a mix + legumes brassicas [MIX1], (c) oat [Avena sativa L.] (MIX2), (d) [LEGU]) (e) no control. These were tested continuous corn (Zea mays [corn–corn...

Winter cover crops have the potential to increase soil organic C in the corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation in the upper Midwest. Management effects on soil C, however, are often difficult to measure because of the spatial variation of soil C across the landscape. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of oat (Avena sativa L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), ...

Cropping sequence diversification provides a systems approach to reduce yield variations and improve resilience to multiple environmental stresses. Yield advantages of more diverse crop rotations and their synergistic effects with reduced tillage are well documented, but few studies have quantified the impact of these management practices on yields and their stability when soil moisture is limi...

The rapidly growing world population and rising consumption of biofuels are increasing demand for both food and biofuels. This exaggerates both food and fuel shortages. Using food crops such as corn grain to produce ethanol raises major nutritional and ethical concerns. Nearly 60% of humans in the world are currently malnourished, so the need for grains and other basic foods is critical. Growin...

B ioenergy production—either for fuels or electricity—is the most land intensive form of energy production (1). The consequences of increased demand for land associated with bioenergy crops initially gained attention because of the implications for carbon emissions associated with land clearing (2, 3), but, more recently, the potential impacts of bioenergy’s land demand on biodiversity have gai...