Factors studied

Positive effects

Negative effects

- Fertilization and irrigation can be automated.

- Reflection and calculations necessary to implement fertilization and irrigation adapted to the cropping system.

- Technical support required.

- Reduction of purchases of inputs to the strict quantity necessary for crop needs.

- Possible purchases of programmers.

- Cost of soil analyses.

- Some green manures (crucifers, marigolds, rattlesnakes, etc.) have 'disinfectant' properties for the soil.

- Improvement of soil structure and stability, stimulation of soil fauna activity with appropriate fertilization.

- Better vigor of the plants which better support the possible attacks of bioaggressors.

- Adding organic matter to the soil improves the clay-humus complex, limiting the leaching of nutrients: better fertilization efficiency.

- Some green manures promote the development of diseases and pests and their degradation competes with the needs of the plant (case of nitrogen hunger): lack of knowledge of the precise composition of green manures, of the elements actually available and of their speed of culture availability.

- Fewer residues of phytosanitary products. 

- Preservation of water quality thanks to less use of herbicides if use of plant cover and localized fertilization.

- Avoidance of leaching and pollution if the correct intake doses are respected.

- Consumption of fuel for spreading and energy for the operation of the