Economic Analysis of Plant Protection Strategies in Winter Wheat Based On Longterm Field Trials in Brandenburg Within a Crop Rotation with Six Rotation Components (2004 to 2016)

Plant protection strategies are mostly assessed with respect to their efficacy and yield stability rather than their economic result. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the economic excellence of different strategies. Based on a long term field trial, the economics of four plant protection strategies in two different winter wheat quality classes (A wheat and E wheat) were evaluated. The field trial located in Dahnsdorf in Brandenburg comprised a crop rotation with six rotation components which is rather untypical for agricultural practice in that region. The economic analysis was based on field trial data from 13 years between 2004 and 2016 which was supplemented by secondary statistical data. Four plant protection strategies were considered: (S1) harrowing without chemical plant protection, (S2) plant protection in accordance to good farming practice taking into account the general principles of integrated pest management and a reduction of the treatment frequency index by (S3) 25% or rather (S4) 50% compared to good farming practice. By calculating the plant protection and labor cost free revenues for each year and strategy and by transferring these into annuities the four plant protection strategies were compared economically. The results for E wheat (elite wheat) were similar to those of A wheat (quality wheat) in terms of economic performance. A comparison of the plant protection strategies showed, that the abandonment of pesticides (S1) led to considerable economic disadvantages compared to the other three strategies. These three strategies which included the application of pesticides (S2, S3, S4) led to almost equivalent revenues, however, a reduction of the treatment frequency index by 25% compared to the good farming practice resulted in the best economical outcome for both wheat qualities. The applied crop rotation with six rotation components in combination with an intensive monitoring of the plant pests clearly supported the reduction of pesticide use in winter wheat without economic disadvantages. The results suggest, that such crop rotations have the potential to contribute to a sustainable crop production.