Conservation Agriculture Practices in Rainfed Uplands of India Improve Maize-Based System Productivity and Profitability.

Aliza Pradhan,Pravat K. Roul,Travis Idol

doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.01008

Abstract

Traditional agriculture in rainfed uplands of India has been experiencing low agricultural productivity as the lands suffer from poor soil fertility, susceptibility to water erosion and other external pressures of development and climate change. A shift toward more sustainable cropping systems such as conservation agriculture production systems (CAPSs) may help in maintaining soil quality as well as improving crop production and farmer’s net economic benefit. This research assessed the effects over 3 years (2011–2014) of reduced tillage, intercropping, and cover cropping practices customized for maize-based production systems in upland areas of Odisha, India. The study focused on crop yield, system productivity and profitability through maize equivalent yield and dominance analysis. Results showed that maize grain yield did not differ significantly over time or among CAPS treatments while cowpea yield was considered as an additional yield in intercropping systems. Mustard and horsegram grown in plots after maize cowpea intercropping recorded higher grain yields of 25 and 37%, respectively, as compared to those without intercropping. Overall, the full CAPS implementation, i.e., minimum tillage, maize–cowpea intercropping and mustard residue retention had significantly higher system productivity and net benefits than traditional farmer practices, i.e., conventional tillage, sole maize cropping, and no mustard residue retention. The dominance analysis demonstrated increasing benefits of combining conservation practices that exceeded thresholds for farmer adoption. Given the use of familiar crops and technologies and the magnitude of yield and income improvements, these types of CAPS should be acceptable and attractive for smallholder farmers in the area. This in turn should support a move toward sustainable intensification of crop production to meet future household income and nutritional needs.

Highlights

Traditional, rainfed agro-ecosystems are still important in India, contributing up to 44% of the country’s annual food production
There are numerous other studies regarding the variability of short term yield responses to conservation agriculture practices (Lal, 1986; Gill and Aulakh, 1990; Mbagwu, 1990; Mupangwa et al, 2012)
The reason is generally attributed to the time necessary to build soil fertility and to adapt to the new conservation agriculture system – a phenomenon called “age hardening” for soils transitioning from intensive tillage to minimum or no-tillage (Dexter et al, 1988)

Summary

Introduction

Traditional, rainfed agro-ecosystems are still important in India, contributing up to 44% of the country’s annual food production. In Odisha, India, one of the poorest states in the country, maize-based cropping systems are common in the interior districts, which are dominated by tribal communities (Pradhan et al, 2015). A common cropping system is maize (Zea mays L.) followed by mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and a fallow period during the dry season. During the onset of the monsoonal rainy season, seeds of openpollinated and low-yielding varieties of maize are broadcast sown into fields prepared by multiple plowings with a simple bullockdrawn plow that cuts into the soil but does not turn it over like a moldboard plow. If residual soil moisture is sufficient, farmers will plow the field again and broadcast sow seeds of local varieties of mustard

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