Adaptation of a crop sequence indicator based on a land parcel management system

The agro-environmental advantages of a good crop sequence system are widely recognised. Crop rotation is considered to be a cornerstone of 'integrated farming', particularly in view of its ability to maintain soil fertility and increase productivity. This paper focuses initially on the implementation of a crop sequence indicator (using a Geographic Information System allowing successive land parcel plans to be superimposed) developed using the Indigo method [Bockstaller, C., Girardin, P., 1996. The crop sequence indicator: a tool to evaluate crop rotations in relation to the requirements of integrated Arable Farming Systems. Aspects Appl. Biol. 47, 405-408] and it then discusses possible improvements and adaptations of this indicator to pedoclimatic conditions that differ from the original ones. An illustration of both these aspects is provided by the example of Wallonia in Belgium. The results were mapped for the whole Walloon region, allowing many common rotation types to be assessed from an agro-environmental perspective. A system enabling the regional authorities to monitor and, above all, to promote ways of managing crop sequences that are compatible with environmental protection is put forward for the Agricultural Areas concerned. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.