Lower in-Kind Yields from Forgoing the Use of Plant-Protection Products in Arable Crops

Agroscope Science No. 125, 1-31, 2021

A survey of 18 experts from the whole of Switzerland shows what effects a complete or partial avoidance of plant-protection products would have on in-kind yields in arable production.

Various studies show that forgoing the use of plant-protection products (PPPs) in arable production generally goes hand-in-hand with yield losses. However, losses can vary greatly, depending on the crop, cultivation method and regional pest and disease pressure.

For Switzerland, little data is available on how forgoing PPP use would affect in-kind yields in arable production. However, such information is necessary for estimating the economic consequences for the Swiss agricultural sector of forgoing PPP use.

Yields decrease the most for zero PPP use, the least for zero herbicide use

With the aid of a two-step qualitative online survey, 18 plant-protection experts from the whole of Switzerland were asked what effects could be expected from the measures to be promoted with direct payments according to Parliamentary Initiative 19.475 – ‘Reducing the Risk of Pesticide Use’ (Pa. Iv.):

• Arable farming without insecticides, fungicides or stalk shorteners;
• Arable farming without herbicides;
• Arable farming avoiding all PPPs.

The experts see the greatest yield losses with the avoidance of all PPPs. Losses would be lowest if herbicide use alone were avoided.

Major differences between crops

The surveys show that the expected yield losses vary greatly depending on the crop. Thus, the total avoidance of PPPs reduces sugar beet yields by 47%, but sunflowers, currently grown non-extensively, by around just 16% (compared to the average reference yield levels according to the Farm Accountancy Data Network and the gross-margin catalogue).

With the avoidance of insecticides, fungicides and stalk shorteners, in-kind yield losses vary between 10% for sunflowers to just under 38% for sugar beet. With oilseed rape, the avoidance of insecticides would result in yields up to 43% lower. For potatoes, yields would fall by around 29%, although, according to the current interpretation of the parliamentary initiative, certain preparations would have limited authorisation.

With the avoidance of herbicide use in arable crops, yield losses of 6 to 21% could be expected. Sugar beet (21% reduction) and legumes such as field beans and protein peas (16% reduction) would be most affected. For oilseed rape, wheat and barley, yields were an average 8 to 9% lower.

Resistant varieties and beneficial-insect strips as remedies

The experts consider various management methods to be an effective means of mitigating yield losses. Especially high hopes were expressed for the combined avoidance of insecticides, fungicides and stalk shorteners as well as the use of resistant varieties and beneficial-insect strips.