Low Tillage Research Articles

Management of soil organic matter regime in biologization of agriculture

All related research was conducted from 2010 to 2022 in the Belgorod region, located in the south-west of the Central Chernozem region (CCR). The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of introducing agriculturally biologized elements into arable soils on the organic matter content of those same soils. It was determined, that compared to their virgin counterparts, unwashed arable chernozems, typical and leached, had lost about 39.8–42.0% of their organic matter due to long-term agricultural use. In comparison to 2010–2014, the level of organic fertilizer input had doubled to 9,6 t/ha in 2019–2022, while the area of green manure cultures had increased by a factor of 2.56 to 317 thousand ha/year. Concurrently to the aforementioned years, the by-product output increased by 18.8–37.6% (depending on the crop), reaching levels between 2.07–10.3 t/ha, due to an increase in agricultural yield. The area of ley farms decreased by a factor of 2.73 down to 47.1 thousand ha/year. Additionally, a wide percentage of the Belgorod region have implemented low tillage technology usage, including no-till and executed complex anti-erosion activities. As a result of that, in 2019–2022, the average content of organic matter in the arable layer of soils went up by 0.3% (to 5.3%), while reserve by 9 t/ha (to 159 t/ha). Each hectare of the cultivated areas on average accumulated 19 carboxylic units, thereby making it worth about 19 thousand rubles. The percentage of soils, which contain 6.1–8.0% of organic matter, rose to 20.0%, while those containing 2.1–4.0%, were reduced to 10.9%.

Investigation of operating environments for operating bodies with low tillage

Abstract The report presents the findings of a feasibility study and provides justification for the Republic of Uzbekistan’s usage of Strip-Till technology. The creating a highly efficient technology issues for bedding fields for planting in one pass, developing a combined aggregate structure that efficiently achieves the procedure, and conducting targeted scientific research to substantiate the parameters of the working parts of the aggregate are considered. The records of investigation on the design of tilling bodies of a combined aggregate with optimal parameters are represented. The theoretical observation to substantiate the parameters of the section of the gangs of the aggregate are presented. A theoretical calculation of the lengthwise spacing across the plate disks of the second row and the spear chisel installed on the beam is given. A program of experimental research has been made to verify the results of theoretical research. The degree of influence of the lengthwise spacing value across the plate disks and the spear chisel on the technological performance indicators of the tilling tools section was determined experimentally. Graphs of variation in the soil loosening gauge and changes in the traction resistance of a tilling tools section depending on the longitudinal spacing across the plate disks and the spear chisel are presented. Concordantly of pilot research events for soil loosening at the level of agrotechnical requirements, the lengthwise spacing value across the plate disks and the spear chisel should not be under 25 cm. Data on the economic efficiency of using an aggregate with experimental tilling tools with well-founded ratings for minimal tillage are presented.

Prevention and management of plant protection product transfers within the environment: A review.

The intensification of agriculture has promoted the simplification and specialization of agroecosystems, resulting in negative impacts such as decreasing landscape heterogeneity and increasing use of plant protection products (PPP), with the acceleration of PPP transfers to environmental compartments and loss in biodiversity. In this context, the present work reviews the various levers for action promoting the prevention and management of these transfers in the environment and the available modelling tools. Two main categories of levers were identified: (1) better control of the application, including the reduction of doses and of PPP dispersion during application thanks to appropriate equipment and settings, PPP formulations and consideration of meteorological conditions; (2) reduction of post-application transfers at plot scales (soil cover, low tillage, organic matter management, remediation etc. and at landscape scales using either dry (grassed strips, forest, hedgerows and ditches) or wet (ponds, mangroves and stormwater basins) buffer zones. The management of PPP residues leftover in the spray tanks (biobeds) also represents a lever for limiting point-source PPP pollution. Numerous models have been developed to simulate the transfers of PPPs at plot scales. They are scarce for landscape scales. A few are used for regulatory risk assessment. These models could still be improved, for example, if current agricultural practices (e.g. agro-ecological practices and biopesticides), and their effect on PPP transfers were better described. If operated alone, none of the levers guarantee a zero risk of PPP transfer. However, if levers are applied in a combined manner, PPP transfers could be more easily limited (agricultural practices, landscape organization etc.).

Crop rotation diversity and tillage effects on soil and wheat grain nutrient concentration in an organically-managed system

Consumer demand for high quality organic produce in Canada has in recent years contributed to the development of a more sustainable organic agriculture system that increased productivity without decreasing soil fertility. The objective of this 4-yr field study was to determine if an organic system with diversified crop rotations under reduced tillage would produce high quality spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain and improve soil fertility. A simplified rotation (SR) consisting of a forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) green manure (GM)-spring wheat sequence and a diversified rotation (DR, forage pea GM-oilseed-pulse crop-spring wheat sequence) were compared under two tillage intensities (high tillage [HT] and low tillage [LT]). The oilseed alternated between mustard (Sinapis alba L.) and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), and the pulse alternated between field pea and lentil (Lens culinaris L.). Generally, nutrient concentrations in wheat grain were mostly significantly higher under LT than HT and in the DR compared with the SR. In addition, tillage-rotation system influenced soil zinc, calcium, magnesium, and sodium concentrations. However, grain Cd concentration was higher in the LT treatment under the DR sequence relative to other treatments. Our results indicate that organically managed diversified crop rotations under reduced tillage can produce wheat grains with high nutritional value for humans and livestock but may not increase soil micronutrient concentrations.

Collembola taxonomic and functional diversity in conventional, organic and conservation cropping systems

Intensive agriculture has been demonstrated to be a main threat to soil biodiversity through physical and chemical disturbances of soil. Alternative systems based on lower disturbances may help to promote soil biodiversity and its role in soil functioning. However, the effects of alternative systems on soil biodiversity are still poorly understood, especially regarding soil mesofauna. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of alternative cropping systems and practice intensity on the taxonomic and functional diversity of Collembola. Collembola were sampled for two consecutive years in 21 fields (3 plots per field) under conventional or alternative systems, namely conservation or organic systems either stable (≥7 years) or in transition (≤3 years). Indicators and indices were computed to characterize separately tillage, pesticide treatments and organic fertilization in each field. Collembola species and functional traits were investigated. Functional diversity of Collembola was assessed using species traits (i.e. traits from the literature) and by conducting length measurements directly on collected Collembola individuals (body, head, leg, antenna and furca length). Collembola diversity was highly variable between and within cropping systems and years. Species richness was notably higher in conservation than in conventional systems in the second year of the study. More specifically, low tillage and high pesticide treatment intensities increased taxonomic and functional diversity and affected species with traits adapted to the surface (i.e. scales, trichobothria). Measured Collembola body length additionally revealed the presence of larger individuals under low tillage and high pesticide treatment intensities, with similar results for other length traits. Overall, our results revealed that 1) taxonomic and functional diversity are complementary to understand the effects of agricultural practices and systems on Collembola and 2) measurement of body length is relevant to assess the effects of disturbances on the local Collembola community.

Effect of Tillage Systems and Fungicide (Trichozon) on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Associated Weeds Growth Parameters

The investigation was conducted in the 2019–2020 agricultural season in the Al-Thaghr area, north of Basrah Governorate, Iraq (latitude 31.145288N and longitude 47.431334E), in clay soil. Two factors were used in the investigation. The first factor was the three tillage systems (heavy tillage by the mouldboard plow, low tillage by the chisel plow, and the no-till system). The second factor was three concentrations of the biocide Trichozon (4 g m-2, 2 g m-2, and without adding pesticide). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that the chisel plow recorded the lowest number and dry weight of weeds per square meter (16 plants m-2 and 0.24 g m-2 respectively). In contrast, the moldboard plow recorded the highest number and dry weight of weeds per square meter (79.6 plant m-2 and 14.17 g m-2, respectively).

CHANGES IN THE AGROPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF GRAY MEADOW SOILS OF THE SYRDARYA REGION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MINIMAL PROCESSING

The soils distributed in the Mirzachol oasis are of varying degrees of salinity, therefore, desalination of the soils distributed in this area is important for obtaining a high yield from agricultural crops. Development of desalination methods is one of the most urgent issues. One of the methods of desalination is mulching and low tillage. In these methods, the salinization process slows down due to the reduction of moisture that evaporates from the surface of the soil through capillary channels through mulching and low tillage of soils with close seepage water, including gray-meadow soils.

Alteration of the organic wheat rhizobiome and enzyme activities by reduced tillage and diversified crop rotation

The acreage of organic agriculture continues to grow world-wide. Growing organic crops relies on soil tillage for weed control, and organic soil inputs for nutrient supply, because chemical inputs are not permitted. Organic inputs build soil organic C, a key determinant of soil quality, but tillage-induced C losses through erosion and decomposition reduce soil organic C. Crop rotations also supply nutrients and break pest cycles. In 2014 (normal rainfall) and 2015 (below-normal rainfall), we investigated whether reduced tillage (low tillage vs high tillage), and diversification of a 2-year forage pea green manure (GM)-wheat rotation to a 4-year rotation (simplified rotation vs diversified rotation) altered the soil microbiome and enzyme activities in the rhizosphere of organic wheat in a trial that had been established in 2010. Planctomycetes and Gemmatimonadetes were more abundant under high tillage than low tillage in both rotations. The Shannon index of α-diversity was greater in the diversified rotation than the simplified rotation under high tillage. Microbial biomass C (MBC) was greater in the diversified rotation than the simplified rotation in 2014. The relative abundances of Gemmatimonadetes, Proteobacteria and Tharmarchaeota were greater in the diversified rotation than the simplified rotation under high tillage. Low tillage increased the activity of acid phosphomonoesterase (P cycling), and in 2014, the activity of this enzyme was greater in the diversified rotation than the simplified rotation. The growing season precipitation shaped the soil microbiome (α- and β-diversity) the most: the drier-than-normal 2015 had less microbial biomass C (MBC), Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and enzyme activities than the normal 2014, but vice-versa for α-diversity, AD3, Armatimonadetes and Chloroflexi. Therefore, although the growing season affected these soil microbial properties more than tillage or crop rotation, both low tillage and crop diversification altered the soil microbial community composition and increased the soil P cycling potential

Artificial macropores and water management effects on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddy fields

Rice production is an important sector of global agriculture, sustaining more than half of the world's population. However, rice production contributes significantly to global warming through increased emission of greenhouse gasses (GHGs), primarily CH4, into the atmosphere. Therefore, this study examined countermeasures to reduce GHG emissions from paddy fields without affecting rice production. A column experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of soil macroporous structure and water management on GHG emissions from flooded alluvial clay soil (paddy soil). The soils were subjected to different management regimes: with and without artificial macropores, compost, and drainage treatment. Drainage was maintained at 6.5 mm d − 1 to ensure infiltration yet prevent excessive leakage from the paddy field. The measured parameters included GHG emissions, soil water content, redox potential, soil temperature, soil swelling, total carbon, total nitrogen, iron, and manganese. The results showed that the soil column with macropores and drainage had significantly lower CO2 and CH4 emissions than that without macropores and drainage. In addition, the soil level increment, and thus, the amount of gas (CH4) produced in the soil column with drainage were lower than that without drainage. The combination of drainage treatment and macropores might have effectively acted as a hydrodynamic gradient and a structure that promotes freshwater intrusion into deeper soil profiles, inhibiting absolute anaerobic methanogenic activity. The redox potential of the column with drainage and macropores was the highest. Moreover, CO2 and CH4 emissions were reduced at a relatively small drainage rate of 6.5 mm d − 1 by adding macropores to the soil. The findings confirmed that GHG emissions were effectively reduced by a porous soil structure at a low drainage rate. Macropore application also exhibited effectiveness at mitigating nutrient loss (TOC and TN) through the drainage. Therefore, low tillage before flooding would be preferable to conserve the macroporous structure. However, the results also highlight an adverse effect on mineral leaching (particularly Mn) through the column with macropores.

Exploring the use of phytoremediation and sustainable methods of agriculture in alleviating the pollution in the uThongathi river estuary

Introduction and AimThe uThongathi Estuary was found to be in a poor ecological state and the water pollution was due to the discharge from the wastewater treatment plant, industrial, agricultural and residential sectors of Tongaat. The aims of this paper were therefore to explore the need for phytoremediation, as well as to show the importance of sustainable methods of agriculture in alleviating the pollution in the uThongathi River Estuary. Materials and MethodsThe research method chosen was a triangulation procedure and this involved experiments, questionnaires and observations. The experiments involved phytoremediation using artificial miniature wetlands and soil samples taken from the estuary. The plants used in the miniature wetlands were Chrysopogon zizanioides, Polystichum pungen and Polystichum munitum, whereas the plants used in phytoremediation of soil were the Spinacia oleracea L and Helianthus annuus. Questionnaires were given to all sectors of Tongaat and people were chosen randomly using The Yamane, 1967 approach with an error margin of 6%. ResultsThe results revealed that phytoremediation can be used successfully to reduce water pollution and eliminate the odour of bacteria coliform and nitrates. The Polystichum pungen was able to reduce the bacterial coliform from 2900 to 100 cfu/ mL. The use of the sustainable methods of mixed cropping or intercropping can reduce pests and prevent the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides and low tillage or non-tillage is good for the quality of the soil. Biopesticides can be used as an alternative to conventional pesticides. ConclusionsThe overall outcome of the study showed that phytoremediation and sustainable agricultural methods can successfully alleviate pollution in the uThongathi Estuary.

Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Extracellular Soil Enzyme Responses to Different Land Use

Extracellular soil enzymes play a key role in soil organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, it is not fully understood how these enzymes respond to different land use. Long-term research studies were used to evaluate how diversified management practices affect extracellular enzymes driving C cycling [phenol oxidases (PO), peroxidases (PP), α-glucosidase (AG), β-glucosidase (BG), cellobiohydrolase (CB), β-1,-4-Nacetylglucosaminidase (NAG)], N cycling [leucine aminopeptidase (LAP)], and P cycling [phosphomonoesterase (PME)]. The soil pH, contents of total organic C, total N, mehlich-3 P, soil respiration and soil nitrogen supply capacity were also measured. Different land use included tillage frequency, tillage regimes, mineral N fertilization, crop rotations and liquid dairy manure. Compared to medium or high tillage frequency, low tillage frequency increased total organic C and total N and soil respiration as well as NAG and PME activities, whereas it decreased soil nitrogen supply, mehlich-3 P, and soil pH, as well as PO, PP, AG, BG, CB, and LAP activities. Non till was associated with lower PP and PO activities than moldboard plow. Nitrogen fertilization decreased soil pH and PO activity but increased PME activity. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) in rotation with forage increased total organic C, total N, soil nitrogen supply and soil respiration by 31, 21, 44, and 33%, respectively, in comparison with barley in monoculture. The application of liquid dairy manure increased soil pH, total N and soil nitrogen supply and soil enzyme activities (AG, BG, NAG) in comparison to the mineral N fertilizer. When principal component analysis was performed, soil pH, PO, PP, CB, LAP, and PME were grouped in the first component, which explained the highest variance. This is the core group controlling the C, N, and P cycling. The activities of C, N, and P acquiring enzymes, soil nitrogen supply and soil respiration were related to changes in soil total C and N, and extractable P contents across a broad range of management practices. Increased PO and PP activities reflect total C decline.

Cropping system diversification does not always beget weed diversity

Cropping system (CS) diversification appears as a promising solution to increase CS sustainability. However, weed community response to different options of CS diversification remains poorly documented. Moreover, these effects are expected to be more pronounced in experimental than commercial farms because experimental farms explore more diverse combinations of farming practices. We hypothesized that (i) CS diversification would increase weed diversity at multiple spatio-temporal scales but that (ii) different options of CS diversification would select different weed communities and that (iii) responses could differ between experimental and commercial farms. Hence, weed density per species was measured over a 6-year time period in a CS experiment and in a farmers’ network (both resorting to diverse CSs that were numerically summarized to allow their comparison, i.e. different positions along gradients of tillage intensity, herbicide use, crop rotation length etc.). Weed density measures were used to compute weed diversity indices (taxonomic and functional, at annual and plurennial scales) and community weighted means on key response traits for each CS. All experimented alternative CSs (diversified crop sequences with coherent but different combinations of weed management tools) showed that diverse combinations of agronomic tools are available to increase weed diversity, as highlighted by a 3 and 2-fold increase in species richness at the annual and plurennial scales, respectively. In contrast, only one farmer CS (3-year rotation, low tillage intensity, intermediate herbicide reliance) showed significantly higher levels of weed diversity, possibly because the reduced tillage intensity was not compensated by other agronomic levers (e.g. increase of herbicide use and/or crop rotation diversity). Such outcomes were attributed to (i) reduced CS complexity in commercial compared to experimental farms and (ii) high herbicide reliance in commercial farms, irrespectively of CS complexity. Across both experimental and commercial farms, tillage, weed management and crop type appeared as the main factors structuring weed communities. Systems with reduced tillage were associated with a higher percentage of grasses and perennials. Systems with spring/summer crops and/or mechanical weeding were associated with a higher proportion of spring/summer and perennial species. These results suggest that solutions are readily available for farmers to implement sustainable weed management, but supports are required to address the factors hindering the adoption of these experimented CS in commercial conditions.

Crop intensification with short-duration pulse crop(mungbean)using climate-smart agriculture technology in northeastern region of Bangladesh

Despite the economic progress in Bangladesh, a hot spot of hunger remained within the rapidly growing population and even the Covid-19 Pandemic made the hunger more intensive. Increasing the cropping intensity by replacing fallow with a short-duration pulse crop using climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technology in the northeastern area of Bangladesh might increase food security and the livelihood of poor farmers. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate short-duration mungbean crop in between the two rice-based cropping systems following CSA technology. The study was conducted at two locations following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in the farmers' field of Netrokona and Sunamganj Districts of Bangladesh during the period from March to May 2021. Results from both the study areas showed that CSA technology had substantially increased the total yield of mungbean, and BINA-8 variety performed the best results of 1061 kg/ha yield in the Sunamganj area. In mungbean cultivation, the lower tillage, 50% less fertilization, manuring, crop residues and efficient irrigation of CSA technology had a positive impact on water infiltration, soil nutrient status and water use efficiency of more than 40% compared to traditional cultivation systems. Nevertheless, the CSA in mungbean cultivation had enhanced carbon sequestration and reduces GHG emissions. The results also revealed that mungbean plant residues add an average 4.35 ton/ha green mass to the soil and saved more than 25% labor costs for mungbean cultivation. Therefore, crop intensification with mungbean using CSA technology in the disasters pruned area would be a good approach to combat food security and income generation of farmers. The study also argues that there is an immediate need for more intensive research to better quantify the mitigation effects of CSA technology.

Effect of combined use of tillage and nutrient management practices on soil quality indicators and indices under maize (Zea mays) based cropping system in rainfed inceptisols

An experiment was conducted in the rainfed Inceptisols of Rakhdhiansar in Kandi areas of Western Himalayas of South Kashmir and Kumaon, India for four years to assess the influence of combined use of tillage and nutrient management treatments on soil quality under maize based cropping system. The experiment was initiated in a split plot design with three main and three sub-treatments using maize (Kanchan-510) as the test crop. The main experimental treatments were: T1: Conventional Tillage (CT) +Two Intercultures (Two IC), T2: Low Tillage (LT) +Two Intercultures (Two IC) and T3: Low Tillage (LT) + Weedicide + One Interculture (One IC). The three sub treatments were, T1: 100% N through organic sources (compost), T2: 50% N through organic sources + 50% N through inorganic sources and T3: 100% N through inorganic sources. The results of the present study clearly revealed that the tillage treatments did not significantly influence most of the soil quality parameters except available S, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and Mean weight Diameter of Soil Aggregates (MWD). When averaged over nutrient levels, among the tillage practices, conventional tillage + Two IC recorded the highest available S of 20.87 kg ha-1. However, sub-sub treatments viz nutrient management significantly influenced the organic carbon (OC), available N, P S and boron, dehyrogenase assay (DHA), labile carbon (LC), bulk density (BD) and MWD. When averaged over tillage levels, the application of nutrients through inorganic sources recorded significantly highest available N (160.50 kg ha-1), P (30.67 kg ha-1) and K (207.87 kg ha-1 in soil. Finally, in terms of Relative Soil Quality Indices (RSQI), Low tillage + Two IC (0.87) and Low tillage + Weedicide + One IC (0.89) proved superior compared to Conventional Tillage + 2 IC (0.82). Similarly, when averaged over tillage levels, the order of performance of nutrient management treatments was:100% N through organic sources (0.93) > 50% N through organic sources + 50 % N through inorganic sources (0.84) > 100% N through inorganic sources (0.82). Though the interactions between tillage levels and nutrient management were not significant, but the combination of Low tillage practices with 100 % organic Source of nutrients was quite superior in maintaining relatively higher RSQI. Thus, the results of the present study and methodology used will be highly useful to different stake holders associated withland and soil quality management

In which cropping systems can residual weeds reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion?

Abstract Weeds are often solely considered with a negative viewpoint, but they may also provide services for agroecosystems. Especially, the residual weed flora that is tolerated by integrated crop protection may contribute to a reduction of nitrate leaching and soil erosion during the summer and autumn fallow. To date, the determinants underlying these environmental weed benefits are largely unknown. The present study developed new indicators to account for the potential beneficial role of annual weed flora to reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion at the field scale, and then calculated them from the outputs of a weed dynamics model. The aim was to analyse which cropping systems facilitate residual weed flora to reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion, while minimizing negative weed impacts on crop production. When developing the indicators, the potential weed-based reduction of nitrate leaching was considered to increase with both the growth of the weed flora and the weed species potential to take up nitrogen; the potential weed-based reduction of soil erosion was assumed to increase with soil cover by weeds when soil cover by cash crops was low. Our simulation study included 259 arable cropping systems (covering a wide range of herbicide and tillage intensity, with each cropping system simulated over 28 years and repeated 10 times with 10 different weather series) in which the dynamics of 25 annual weed species was simulated. Simulations showed that the cropping systems promoting a high potential weed-based reduction of nitrate leaching were generally also those with a high potential weed-based reduction of soil erosion, pointing to a compatibility between these benefits provided by the weed flora. However, the cropping systems promoting these environmental benefits were generally also those that presented the highest crop yield losses. Tillage and crop rotation were identified as the cultural techniques with the greatest influence on the potential weed-based reduction of nitrate leaching and soil erosion, while herbicides had a more limited effect. Most of the studied cropping systems (representing “real situations” in which farmers or experimenters make the decisions about crop rotations and cultural techniques) tended to favour low crop yield losses rather than high weed-based environmental benefits. Interestingly, a few systems achieved both objectives. Systems that achieved relatively low crop yield losses and high weed-based environmental benefits mainly combined infrequent superficial tillage operations, with a low proportion of winter crops in the rotation and a very low tillage depth. Finally, only a few weed traits determined the role of the weed flora to potentially reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion. They were seed traits (seed lipid content, seed area per weight and seed coat thickness), driving the early and fast appearance of the weed canopy after weed seed shed. This suggests that, for annual weed species, a high weed flora potential to reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion is not restricted to specific weed species able to take up nitrogen and cover soil. Thus, our simulation study indicates that such a high potential to reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion could therefore be reached in very different agroecosystems in terms of weed seed bank.

Synergies and Determinants of Sustainable Intensification Practices in Pakistani Agriculture

Sustainable intensification practices (SIPs) involve a process to produce high yields for existing land without affecting the environment. The significance and relevance of SIPs in a Pakistani context demands an investigation. Hence, this study takes the initiative to investigate the determinants regarding the adoption of these practices. Based on the evidence, we selected five SIPs, namely, improved seeds, organic manure, crop rotation, intercropping, and low tillage. Furthermore, this study analyzes the adoption of SIPs with randomly collected data from 612 farmers through multistage sampling. A multivariate probit model (MVP) is employed to analyze the mutually dependent adoption decisions and identify the factors associated with them. The results revealed that education, the area under cultivation, access to information, extension access, social participation, rainfall variability, and temperature increase significantly predict the adoption of SIPs. The adoption of organic manure and crop rotation was highest between all the ecological zones, whereas low tillage was the least adopted practice. Adoption intensity in mixed cropping zones was slightly higher than the other ecological zones. Moreover, the findings also reveal the important synergies amid natural resource management and input-based SIPs. Hence, the study highlights the perseverance and importance of social groups and recommends the government to formulate comprehensive policies to facilitate institutional access and elevate the adoption level amongst the farming community.

A Market-Based Economic Instrument to Better Use Water in Agriculture

The paper presents a market-oriented system of returnable guarantees that can be combined with tradable permits to encourage farmers to use alternative sources of water instead of the regular watering network, or to steer the farming system toward environmentally-friendly systems like low tillage and/or organic farming. Factual data from real farming were bootstrapped to test whether or not a set of farms could save water and reduce chemical input due to the higher cost of maintaining the status quo. Based on interactions between water, pesticides, fertilizers, and crops, the system of returnable guarantee determines the farmers to reduce the amount of water harvested from aquifers, generates benefits for the most environmentally-friendly farmers, and stimulate conversion to organic farming.

Microbial and enzymatic activity as influenced by existing cropping pattern in the soils of Ganges floodplain

Effect of multi cropping (Potato-Jute-Sweetgourd-T.Aman, Sweet gourd-Brinjal-Jute, Cauliflower-Radish-Lentil-Basil, Jute-Lentil-Mustard-Wheat and Sweetgourd-Turnip, designated as P-J-S-T, S-B-J, C-R-L-B, J-L-M-W and S-T, respectively) and mono cropping systems (orchard of Lychee, Teak, Turmeric and Banana) on microbial and enzymatic activity of Ganges floodplain soil was investigated. Organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), soil respiration, total nitrogen and urease activity (UA) of the soils were examined. Upon examination it was observed that soils under mono cropping pattern (Lychee, Teak, and Banana) showed significantly (p?0.05) higher MBC, MBN and UA than those under multi cropping pattern. Highest values of MBC and UA found in teak plant were 95.44 milligram/kilogram (mgkg-1) and 6.51µg N released g-1day-1 respectively while for multi cropping pattern the respective values were 37.52 mgkg-1 and 2.23 µg N released g-1day-1 found in S-T and J-L-M-W cropping pattern. The highest MBN (12.70 mgkg-1) was obtained in soil where lychee was practiced. Multi cropping soil showed significantly (p?0.05) higher respiration rate than mono cropping soil and the highest rate was found 508.75 mg CO2 g-1day-1 in J-M-L-W cropping pattern. Turmeric showed the lowest respiration rate (120.75 mg CO2 g-1day-1) among the cropping pattern studied. Both MBC and UA showed positively significant relation with soil organic carbon, and total N at 0.01 % level. High microbial and enzymatic activity of mono cropping soil represent combined effect of vegetation and low tillage practices in soil.

Relationships between field management, soil health, and microbial community composition

More meaningful and useful soil health tests are needed to enable better on-farm soil management. Our objective was to assess the relationship between field management, soil health, and soil microbial abundance and composition (phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA)) in soil collected from two fields (farmer-designated ‘good’ versus ‘poor’) across 34 diverse (livestock, grain or vegetable cropping) farms in Maritime Canada. Soil health was measured using soil texture, surface hardness, available water capacity, water stable aggregates, organic matter, soil protein, soil respiration, active carbon, and standard nutrient analysis. All soils were medium to coarse textured (<8% clay). Mixed models analysis showed that both CSHA and PLFA were able to resolve statistical differences between cropping systems, however conventional soil chemical analysis was the only testing method to resolve statistical differences between farmer designated ‘good’ and ‘poor’ fields. Principle component analyses determined management history (rotation over previous three years), but not ‘good’ or ‘poor’ field designation, to be an important determinant of soil health. Water-stable aggregates and soil respiration were positively correlated with all PLFA microbial groups, and negatively correlated with sand, P, Cu and Al. Lower-intensity management (perennial forage, mixed annual-perennial cropping), manure application and low tillage were linked to higher soil respiration, water-stable aggregates, fungi, mycorrhizae, Gram negative bacteria, and lower soil available P. Correlations between CSHA and PLFA shows promise for integrating these two tests for improved soil health assessment.

Grain Yield and Quality of Organic Crops Grown under Reduced Tillage and Diversified Sequences

Core Ideas An organic field trial in the Brown soil zone examined tillage intensity in a simplified (wheat‐green manure) and a diversified (wheat‐oilseed‐pulse‐green manure) cropping system. Yield variation was explained more by precipitation and soil nitrate levels than by weed infestations. Wheat yields were higher under high than low tillage, and in the simplified than the diversified rotation. Protein concentration in wheat grain varied among years, and there was no negative association with yield. Based on observations in the wet years this trial was conducted, the low tillage treatment did not appear to be viable for more than a few years. Because of the increased consumer demand for organic products and expansion of organic production in the Canadian Prairies, development of organic cropping systems that help lower production costs and risks, while improving productivity and environmental sustainability is needed. A trial was conducted in the Brown soil zone (2010–2015) to examine tillage intensity (low vs. high) in a simplified (wheat [Triticum aestivum L.]‐green manure), and a diversified (wheat‐oilseed‐pulse‐green manure) cropping system. Above‐average precipitation in the years this trial was run resulted in high weed infestations and persistent increases in perennial weeds over time, especially under low tillage. Grain yield was highest at the beginning of the trial (2010 and 2011), and lowest in its final year (2015), which was drier than the rest. Yield variation was explained more by precipitation and soil nitrate levels than by weed infestations. Overall, wheat yields were higher under high than low tillage, and in the simplified than the diversified rotation. Over the duration of this trial, yields under low tillage averaged about three quarters of the yield in a nearby conventional zero‐till trial. Protein concentration in wheat grain varied among years, and there was no negative association with yield, which might be explained by the release of mineralized N throughout the growing season. Protein was similar or higher than the average for commercial conventional wheat in this area. Based on observations in the wet years this trial was conducted, the low tillage treatment did not appear to be viable for more than a few years.