The social psychology of biodiversity conservation in agriculture

We investigate farmers' intentions to apply biodiversity conservation practices from a psychological perspective, using an adapted version of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), including group norms and putting emphasis on moral norms and self-identity. The study is based on a quantitative survey (n = 99) in Belgium, analysed using confirmatory factor analyses and path analysis. Results suggest that the impact of attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control on intentions is almost fully mediated through moral norms and self-identity. To have a sustained impact, change actions should strive to embed biodiversity conservation into the social norms and into the good farmer identity of the farming community. While acknowledging the explanatory nature of this study, the findings could suggest another view on how to induce behavioural change

Social psychology and biodiversity conservation in agriculture

We investigate farmers’ intentions to apply biodiversity conservation practices from psychological perspective, using an adapted version of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), including group norms and putting emphasis on moral norms and self-identity. The study is based on a quantitative survey (n = 106) in Belgium, analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses and path analysis. Results show that the impact of attitudes, social norms and perceived behavioural control on intentions is almost fully mediated through moral norms and self-identity. To have a sustained impact, change actions should strive to embed biodiversity conservation into the social norms and into the good farmer identity of the farming community

A simple model to predict N mineralisation of greenhouse soils

The formulation of a correct N fertilisation advice, besides a measurement of N-min at the start of the growing period, mainly depends on the possibility to predict the N mineralisation out of soil organic matter. This study aimed to model the N mineralisation of greenhouse soils, using both easily available and easily measurable parameters. Two laboratory incubation experiments were set up. The first incubation experiment allowed to deduct a zero-order model, N-t = kt, in which N-t = N mineralised [kg N ha(-1)], k = N mineralisation rate constant [kg N ha(-1) day(-1)] and t = time [days], whereas the temperature dependence of the N mineralisation rate constant was deduced out of the second incubation experiment. The N mineralisation rate constant further depends on the N mineralisation potential of the soil and on the 'soil's age', i.e. being the time the soil has been glass-covered, eventually leading to the following simple N mineralisation model: N-t = (-9.965 + 0.104 N-KCl + 0.336 T + 0.095 O)t, with N-KCl = N-min in a hot KCl-extract (100degreesC) [kg N ha(-1)], T = temperature [degreesC] and O = soil's age [years]. Though the via the model calculated (k(mod)) and experimentally obtained (k(exp)) N mineralisation rate constants were closely related and a linear relationship was found k(mod) = 0.872 k(exp) (R-2 = 0.719, alpha<0.01), further research is necessary to evaluate this model in-situ. In the long run it will be incorporated into a nitrogen fertilisation advice system for greenhouse crops