Productivity Of Rice-wheat System Research Articles

Ergonomics assessment of drudgery in rice-wheat production system in India: a case study of women farmers

Farm women are often forced to work in extremely hazardous conditions due to their limited access to improved agricultural technologies. This circumstance makes agricultural work physically demanding, requiring significant physiological effort and the maintenance of good posture. It is also very exhausting, time-consuming, and stressful. The study was designed to evaluate and quantify the drudgery involved in the rice-wheat production system for rural women. Three replications of a 10-min work cycle without a break were used to assess the physiological and postural demands of various farm tasks on the female workers. Observations were recorded on farm women workers who were in normal health, without any major illness, and regularly involved in farm operations. In the attempt to obtain and analyze the prioritized drudgery experiences in crop production activities through drudgery assessment and reduction, various ergonomically sound farm tools and implements were provided for crop cultivation and intercultural operations. Data indicating musculoskeletal disorders were analyzed by ergonomics assessment of postural and biomechanical assessments using the Human Physical Drudgery Index (HPDI), resulting in the maximum drudgery reflecting very high risk in transplanting (48.4%), followed by threshing (47.2%), load carrying (46.00%), and harvesting (45.14%). For physiological ergonomics quantifications, the most drudgery-prone activities in the rice-wheat production system, i.e., transplanting, harvesting, threshing & post-harvest, and load carrying, were evaluated, and it was found that drudgery is caused by different activities with reflects working energy expenditure rate ranging from ~7.00 to 12.00 (kJ/min) and total cardiac cost of work (TCCW) ~ 331.00 to 524.00. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to drive relationships between energy expenditure rate (dependent variable) and other independent variables, such as age, body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), calf circumference (CC), skinfold measurements, body density (D), % body fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass (kg). It was found that energy expenditure rate during various crop production practices is positively correlated with independent variables (R = 0.721, R2 = 0.520, Adjusted R2 = 0.518, Standard Error of Estimate = 0.0324, Durbin-Watson = 1.531). It was found that with higher physiological parameters, the corresponding energy expenditure is maximized relating to the drudgery in respective agricultural activities. The present study addressed the magnitude of drudgery for women farmers in the rice-wheat production system and its mitigation strategy.

Analysis of the Extension and Technological Gaps in Rice–Wheat Production System in Chhattisgarh Plain of Madhya Pradesh, India

The present study was conducted under rice-wheat cropping system in Chhattisgarh Plain of Madhya Pradesh to find out the extension and technological gap in technological interventions under farmers FIRST project at College of Agriculture, Balaghat. The 60 demonstrations on farmers’ fields with a total of 24.0 ha area were selected under the farmer FIRST project. Prevailing farmer’s practices were treated as control for comparison with recommended practices. Results of two years’ data revealed that the rice crop average yield of demonstrated intervention was 41.35 q/ha over control (34.40 q/ha) with an increase of 20.19%, while in case wheat average yield was recorded 30.22 over the control 24.35 q/ha with an increase of 21.11%. The extension gap was observed 6.95 and 6.15 q/ha, while, the technology gap were 8.65 and 13.35 q/ha in rice and wheat, respectively. The technology index was 17.30% and 32.83% in rice and wheat, respectively.

Can adoption of climate resilient management practices achieve carbon neutrality in traditional green revolution states of Punjab and Haryana?

Decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing soil carbon (C) sequestration in cropland are necessary to achieve carbon neutrality at national scale. The major objective of this study is to quantify the GHG mitigation potential of adopted climate resilient (CR) practices in CR villages using Ex-ACT tool developed by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Intensively cultivated area of Punjab and Haryana was selected for carrying out this study. In both the states, villages were selected by considering the climate for past 30 years. In the selected villages, a set of CR practices were implemented in annuals, perennials, irrigated rice, fertilizer use, land use change and livestock and quantified the GHG mitigation potential in these villages for next twenty years. The tool predicted that the CR practices adopted were successful in enhancing the overall sink (carbon balance) in all the study villages. The villages of Punjab had recorded higher mitigation potential as compared to the villages of Haryana. The overall sink potential in these villages ranged from −354 to −38309 Mg CO2-eq. The change in sink potential varied from 3.16 to 112% with lowest in Radauri and highest in Badhauchhi kalan village. The sink potential got doubled in Badhauchhi kalan village due to stopping rice straw burning and increase in area under perennials by 25%. The source potential varied from 6.33 to −7.44% across the study villages. Even with the implementation of NICRA, there was increase in source by 5.58 and 6.33% in Killi Nihal Singh Wala and Radauri due to irrigated rice, land use change and livestock. Majorly, rice straw burning was seen in most of the study villages, yet, with proper residue management and adoption of CR practices (mainly intermittent flooding) in rice cultivation resulted in emissions reduction up to 5–26% with enhanced productivity up to 15–18%, which can be considered for scaling up. Fertilizer management reduced the emissions by average of 13% across the study villages. Farm gate emission intensity per ton of milk and rice recorded highest emission intensity compared to annuals and perennials suggesting strict implementation of CR practices in rice cultivation and livestock sector. Implementation and scaling up of CR practices could potentially reduce the emissions and make the village C negative in intensive rice-wheat production system.

Integrated nutrient management modules for utilization of crop residues to enhance the productivity of rice-wheat systems in the north-western Indo-Gangetic plain

Integrated nutrient management modules for utilization of crop residues to enhance the productivity of rice-wheat systems in the north-western Indo-Gangetic plain

The food-energy-water-carbon nexus of the rice-wheat production system in the western Indo-Gangetic Plain of India: An impact of irrigation system, conservational tillage and residue management

The conventional rice-wheat system in the western Indo-Gangetic plain of India is energy and water intensive with high carbon footprint. The transition towards resource-efficient eco-friendly production technologies with lower footprint is required for inclusive ecological sustenance. A five-year (2016–17 to 2020–21) field experiment was conducted in RWS with hypothesis that pressurized irrigation systems [drip (DRIP) and mini-sprinkler (MSIS)] in conservation tillage [reduced (RT)/zero (ZT)] and crop residue management [incorporation (RI)/mulch (RM)] might result in higher resource use efficiency with lesser carbon footprint compared to conventional system. Experiment consisted five treatments namely (1) puddled transplanted rice followed by conventionally tilled wheat (PTR/CTW), (2) DRIP irrigated reduced till direct seeded rice (RTDSR) followed by zero-till wheat with 100 % rice residue mulching (ZTW + RM) (DRIP-RTDSR/ZTW + RM), (3) surface irrigated RTDSR followed by ZTW + RM (SIS-RTDSR/ZTW + RM), (4) MSIS irrigated RTDSR followed by ZTW + RM (MSIS-RTDSR/ZTW + RM), and (5) MSIS irrigated RTDSR with 1/3rd wheat residue incorporation followed by ZTW + RM (MSIS-RTDSR + RI/ZTW + RM). The pressurized irrigation system in RWS established under conservational tillage and residue management (DRIP-RTDSR/ZTW + RM and MSIS-DSR + RI/ZTW + RM) produced at par system productivity compared to PTR/CTW. Substantial nitrogen (79–114 ka ha−1) and irrigation water (536–680 mm) savings under pressurized irrigation systems resulted in 41–64 % higher partial factor productivity of nitrogen with 48–61 % lower water footprint. These systems had lower energy consumption attaining 15–21 % higher net energy, 44–61 % higher energy use efficiency, and 31–38 % lower specific energy. Efficient utilization of farm inputs caused lower greenhouse gas emission (39–44 %) and enhanced carbon sequestration (35–62 %) resulting 63–76 % lower carbon footprint over PTR/CTW. The information generated here might useful in developing policies for resource and climate–smart food production system aiming livelihood security and ecological sustainability in the region. Further, trials are needed for wider adaptability under different climate, soil and agronomic practices to develop site-specific climate smart practices.

Effect of Nutrient Management on Soil Carbon Quantities, Qualities, and Stock under Rice-Wheat Production System

The nutrient management options have been contemplated to be sustainable strategies to sustain rice-wheat production systems and a conceivable option to maintain soil organic carbon (SOC) in soil systems. We hypothesized that carbon fraction could be a critical factor in improving carbon storage in cereal-based production systems. The results suggested that the adoption of IPNS legumes (berseem and cowpea), STCR, and OF improved SOC concentrations. It was observed that significantly higher (57%) contribution in carbon concentration very labile carbon (VLC) was trailed by the non-labile carbon (NLC, 23%), labile carbon (LC, 12%), and less labile carbon (LLC 8%) in the surface soil layer. Results showed that carbon stock varied from 11.73 to 18.39 and 9.95 to 11.75 t ha−1 in the surface and subsurface soil depths, respectively, and significantly higher carbon stock was maintained in OF in both soil depths over the other nutrient management practices. Results showed that for the surface layer C-stocks registered in the following order (0–15 cm soil depth) OF (18.39 t ha−1) > IPNS + C (17.54 t ha−1) > IPNS + B (17.26 t ha−1) > IPNS (16.86 t ha−1) > STCR (15.54 t ha−1) > NPK (15.32 t ha−1) and unfertilized control (11.73 t ha−1). Overall, results suggested that the adoption of IPNS options addition of legumes significantly enhanced all carbon pools.

Effect of organic farming on the restoration of soil quality, ecosystem services, and productivity in rice–wheat agro-ecosystems

Excess use of hazardous agrochemicals and inorganic fertilizers resulted negative impact on environmental outcomes and degraded soil function, biological diversity, and ecosystem services. A 15-year long-term (2004–05 to 2017–18) field experiment was conducted to improve the ecosystem services with soil quality restoration and stabilization of yield through agronomic manipulation in the rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system under Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Three crop management practices (i) organic crop management, (ii) inorganic crop management, and (iii) integrated crop management were evaluated at four locations (i) Jabalpur, (ii) Ludhiana, (iii) Pantnagar, and (iv) Modipuram in a factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice at each location. Among the spatial variation, the highest soil quality indicators like soil microbial biomass carbon (0.52 mg g−1), fungal (46.2 CFU × 104 CFU), bacterial (54.2 CFU × 106 CFU), and actinomycetes viable cells (23.0 CFU × 106 CFU), and nutrients (available N and available P) were observed at Pantnagar than other location. The soil pH varied from 7.2 to 8.3, and the lowest bulk density (ρb) was recorded at Jabalpur and Modipuram. Subsequently, higher system productivity (8,196.7 kg ha−1) and net returns were obtained in Pantnagar > Ludhiana, and it was 44.1–63.4% higher than in Modipuram and Jabalpur. Among the crop management, organic crop management significantly improved (p < 0.05) ρb, soil organic carbon, available N, available P, and available K by 3.7%, 33.3%, 16.4%, 37.8%, and 20.3% over inorganic crop management, respectively. Similarly, the highest bacterial, fungal, and actinomycetes viable cell counts were found under the organic plots, followed by integrated plots. In terms of productivity, integrated crop management (ICM) had increased the system productivity by 4.7%–6.7% and net returns by 22.2% and 23.5% over inorganic and organic crop management. Similarly, the highest sustainability yield index (SYI) was recorded in integrated crop management (0.77) as compared to inorganic (0.74) and organic management (0.75). The soil quality index was estimated as 0.60, 0.53, and 0.54 in organic, inorganic, and ICM, respectively. Hence, the study indicated that the application of organic amendments under organic or integrated crop management improves the system’s resiliency and sustainability. Therefore, the study concludes that towards organic approach (integrated application of organic amendments with a gradual reduction in mineral fertilizers) is better suitable for keeping the rice–wheat system productivity and sustainable in the long term.

Seasonal patterns in rice and wheat residue burning and surface PM2.5 concentration in northern India

Rice-Wheat production system of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) in northern India generates large amounts of crop residues annually, substantial amount of which is burned in-situ. Due to this, people in this region and nearby cities are exposed to extremely high concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, especially in late autumn to winter. Multiple factors affect air quality, the main ones being pollutant emissions and meteorology. We generated a high-resolution (0.05° × 0.05°) multi-year (2012–2020) fine particular matter (PM 2.5 ) dataset of pollutant emissions from wheat and rice residue burning for the IGP by combining production data and satellite active fires from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) 375-m product. We used surface PM 2.5 concentrations and meteorological data from Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) atmospheric reanalysis to characterize the seasonal PM 2.5 concentrations and their relationships with anomalies in meteorological conditions. Results showed a much higher number of fires during from rice, with an interannual average of 79,385 total fires versus 33,096 from wheat. Emissions are higher during the rice harvest period: 406 Gg/year versus 245 Gg/year, respectively for rice and wheat. Emissions and PM 2.5 concentrations from rice harvest are higher than those of wheat as a consequence of a higher number of fire spots, emissions, and atmospheric conditions that prevent their dispersion. PM 2.5 concentrations are in addition strongly related to the amount of biomass burned and the number of fires and their intensity. In terms of meteorological anomalies, the planetary boundary layer height, wind speed and the surface thermal inversion strength have a stronger association with PM 2.5 concentration during the rice residue burning period. Conversely, PM 2.5 concentration and emissions anomalies during the wheat harvest shows a stronger correlation with factors associated with the amount of residues burned in the field. • Fire spots and PM 2.5 emissions from both rice and wheat residue burning concentrate over the west area of north India. • Maximum PM 2.5 emissions from rice (post-monsoon) residue burning are about twice those from wheat (pre-monsoon). • Post-monsoon PM 2.5 concentrations from rice residue burning are about three times higher than from wheat residue burning (pre-monsoon). • PM 2.5 shows a greater association with inversion strength and relative humidity during the rice harvest period.

Modelling climate smart rice-wheat production system in the middle Gangetic plains of India

A simulation study based on water balance approach and field experimentation with rice-wheat cropping system was carried out by employing daily rainfall and evaporation (2002–2016) and edaphic data of Experimental Farm of the university, Pusa (25.98°N, 85.67°E, 52 m amsl), Bihar, situated under middle Indo-Gangetic Plains. The aims of the study were to optimize transplanting dates and assess irrigation requirement and water productivity of rice with a view to achieve climate smart rice-wheat production system. The suitability of advancing wheat planting under this cropping system was also evaluated for escaping terminal heat stress during reproductive to maturity period. Under rice-wheat system, late transplanting of rice during kharif season (monsoon season, synonymously also called as wet season) and, consequently, late planting of wheat during rabi (winter) season tend to reduce grain yield significantly under a set of adverse environmental conditions during flowering to maturity phases of both the crops. The study revealed that rice crop of 150-day duration (seed to seed) could be successfully transplanted early in the kharif season during 20–30 June and be harvested by 25 October–5 November with the use of average 404–425-mm irrigation water to achieve potential yield and higher water productivity (1.648–1.731 kg m−3 ha−1). Early rice harvesting ensured early completion of wheat planting before 15 November, which helped in escaping terminal high-temperature stress during the reproductive phase. Hence, higher system productivity can be achieved by shifting the planting dates of rice and wheat through optimum utilization of natural resource environment (moisture and thermal regimes) and offsetting the negative impacts of erratic monsoon rains on rice growth and terminal heat stress and hailstorm on subsequent wheat crop.

Safeguarding the fragile rice-wheat ecosystem of the Indo-Gangetic Plains through bio-priming and bioaugmentation interventions.

Managing agrochemicals for crop production always remains a classic challenge for us to maintain the doctrine of sustainability. Intensively cultivated rice-wheat production system without using the organics (organic amendments, manures, biofertilizers) has a tremendous impact on soil characteristics (physical, chemical, and biological), environmental quality (water, air), input use efficiency, ecosystem biodiversity, and nutritional security. Consequently, crop productivity is found to be either decreasing or stagnating. Rice-wheat cropping system is the major agroecosystem in India feeding millions of people, which is widely practiced in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Microorganisms as key players in the soil system can restore the degraded ecosystems using a variety of mechanisms. Here, we propose how delivery systems (i.e., the introduction of microbes in seed, soil, and crop through bio-priming and/or bioaugmentation) can help us in eradicating food scarcity and maintaining sustainability without compromising the ecosystem services. Both bio-priming and bioaugmentation are efficient techniques to utilize bio-agents judiciously for successful crop production by enhancing phytohormones, nutrition status, and stress tolerance levels in plants (including mitigating of abiotic stresses and biocontrol of pests/pathogens). However, there are some differences in application methods, and the latter one also includes the aspects of bioremediation or soil detoxification. Overall, we have highlighted different perspectives on applying biological solutions in the IGP to sustain the dominant (rice-wheat) cropping sequence.

Sesbania aculeata a Cost Effective Alternative to Enhance the Soil Health and Productivity of Rice-Wheat System

Background: Cereal based cropping systems are predominantly followed in south Asia because of higher productivity and profitability and ensuring food security. Rice is grown once a year in rotation mainly with wheat. Continuous cultivation of rice results in the formation of a hard pan below the ploughing layer, which may act as a barrier to normal root growth of the subsequent wheat crop. Consequently, soil bulk density is increased and hydraulic conductivity is reduced thus leading to non-conducive soil physical characteristics for the subsequent wheat crop. To reduce these ill effects, FYM is used as organic source. But live stock population is not increasing in the ratio as it is required to meet the FYM demand. Organic source requirement cannot meet through use of FYM in rice-wheat system, which is vital for food security point of view. There is need of alternate cost effective source of FYM which could enhance the soil health as well as productivity of rice-wheat system. The present study aimed to see the efficacy of growing green manure crop (Sesbania aculeata) as an alternative of FYM in the rice-wheat rotation. Methods: In this experiment conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 in on-going long term permanent manorial trial since 1984 at research farm (Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India), twelve treatments were taken under RBD in four replications. Observations and analysis were carried out by following the standard procedures. Result: The present investigation showed that combination of inorganic fertilizer and Sesbania aculeata helped in increasing yield as well as improving soil health. Sesbania aculeata can be used as a viable and cost effective alternative through partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers to enhance the soil health and productivity of rice-wheat system.

An Economics Analysis: Trend & Performance of Agriculture Production in Haryana

The Agriculture sector is the mainstay role of Indian’s Economy & livelihood through the generate of employment in the agriculture sector. With the passage of time the Agriculture & Allied Sector is continuously declining because of a cause of land fragmented day by day. Due to the land fragmented but ours’ dependency on the industrial sector as well as the services sector. In the agriculture sector in 2017-18 of the workforce, 50 percent of people engagement depends on the agriculture sector. Further agriculture sector contribution 17-18 percent of the total GDP (Gross domestic product) of national income. In Haryana state agriculture contribution is about 14.5 percent to its gross domestic product (GDP) while providing employment 51 percent of the workforce engaged in agriculture. Further, about 75% of the area is irrigated, through tube Wells and an extensive system of canals. About 2/3rd of the State has assured irrigation, most suited for a rice-wheat production system, whereas rain-fed lands around 1/5th are most suited for rapeseed & mustard, pearl millet, cluster bean cultivation, agro-forestry, and arid-horticulture. Methodology Statistical Techniques and Tools: The secondary data published from Haryana statistical Abstract, Economic The survey, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, published Research papers in the journal, and agriculture reports and so on. To compute the growth behavior of trends and performance of agriculture production in Haryana farm area, yield, production and income, the exponential function will be fitted. Review of Literature, Problem increasing the productivity in Haryana. Improved agriculture Productivity

Conservation agriculture had a strong impact on the sub-surface soil strength and root growth in wheat after a 7-year transition period

The study compared conservation agriculture (CA) practice (no-tillage, crop residue cover on the surface and relay mung bean) with conventional intensive tillage system, in order to evaluate their effects on soil strength and water content, total porosity and pore-size distribution, roots and above-ground plant growth in wheat under a rice-wheat rotation. The experiment was started in the kharif season of the year 2010 in the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. Observations were taken during 6th, 7th and 8th year of the rotation. The CA practice primarily reduced the sub-surface (15–30 and 30–45 cm) soil strength by 20–25% owing to 14% higher water content at this layer, and increased the total porosity (17%) and retention pores (22%). Soil aggregation and organic C improved primarily in the surface layer (0–15 cm). The modified soil physical properties led to better root growth, plant leaf area index and solar radiation interception, and higher grain and straw yields. The CA practice significantly contributed to improving the soil physical condition, especially in reducing the sub-surface compaction and improvement on root growth in wheat. This is significant in our quest to increase and sustain the rice-wheat production system in the Indian subcontinent.

Groundwater Irrigation in Punjab

Punjab located in the north western part of India is a small state comprising 1.54per cent of the total geographical area and little over2 per cent of the total population in the country. It is the largest contributor of wheat (around 55 per cent) and second largest of paddy (around 42 per cent) thoughts relative contribution in central pool of food grains both for wheat and paddy has been declining during the last few years. Sustainability of agriculture in Punjab is thus important for the state’s economy and also for food security in India Groundwater has played a key role in success of Green Revolution in India especially in original Green Revolution states comprising Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh (UP). The agriculture in state has reached a plateau making it very hard to make further progress under available technologies and the natural resource base; and the very sustainability of rice-wheat production system is under threat and climate change is posing new challenge on future agricultural growth.

Impact of Crop Establishment Methods and Weed Management Practices on Productivity and Profitability of Rice-Wheat System in Indo Gangetic Plains

Declining productivity of rice-wheat system in Indo–Gangetic Plains poses risk to conventional practices because of high production cost and low input use efficiency. Four crop establishment methods (CEM) and four weed management practices (WMP) were compared in a 2–year study to determine the productivity and profitability of rice-wheat system. Growth, yield traits and yields of rice was uninfluenced by CEM. Zero tillage rice (ZTR)–zero tillage wheat (ZTW) exhibited highest improvement in mean wheat yield, system productivity and profitability by 7.5%, 4.0% and 16.0%, respectively over conventional tillage rice (CTR)–conventional tillage wheat (CTW). CTR–ZTW recorded minimum total weed density and biomass in system. Post emergence application of bispyribac 25 g ha-1 + azimsulfuron 35 g ha-1 (bis + azim) in rice at 20 days after sowing (DAS)/days after transplanting (DAT); clodinofop 60 g ha-1 + carfentrazone 20 g ha-1 (clod + carf) in wheat at 30–35 DAS minimized total weed density and biomass, increased growth, productivity and profitability of the system. Results suggest that higher growth, productivity and profitability of rice–wheat system may be achieved by adoption of ZTR–ZTW with application of bis + azim in rice and clod + carf in wheat.

The global warming potential of straw-return can be reduced by application of straw-decomposing microbial inoculants and biochar in rice-wheat production systems

Straw-return methods that neither negatively impact yield nor bring environmental risk are ideal patterns. To attain this goal, it is necessary to conduct field observation to evaluate the environmental influence of different straw-return methods. Therefore, we conducted a 2-year field study in 2015–2017 to investigate the emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and the changes in topsoil (0–20 cm) organic carbon (SOC) density in a typical Chinese rice-wheat rotation in the Eastern China. These measurements allowed a complete greenhouse gas accounting (net GWP and GHGI) of five treatments including: FP (no straw, plus fertilizer), FS (wheat straw plus fertilizer), FB (straw-derived biochar plus fertilizer), FSDI (wheat straw with straw-decomposing microbial inoculants plus fertilizer) and CK (control: no straw, no fertilizer). Average annual SOC sequestration rates were estimated to be 0.20, 0.97, 1.97 and 1.87 t C ha−1 yr−1 (0–20 cm) for the FP, FS, FB and FSDI treatments respectively. Relative to the FP treatment, the FS and FSDI treatments increased CH4 emissions by 12.4 and 17.9% respectively, but decreased N2O emissions by 19.1 and 26.6%. Conversely, the FB treatment decreased CH4 emission by 7.2% and increased N2O emission by 10.9% compared to FP. FB increased grain yield, but FS and FSDI did not. Compared to the net GWP (11.6 t CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1) and GHGI (1.20 kg CO2-eq kg−1 grain) of FP, the FS, FB and FSDI treatments reduced net GWP by 12.6, 59.9 and 34.6% and GHGI by 10.5, 65.8 and 37.7% respectively. In rice-wheat systems of eastern China, the environmentally beneficial effects of returning wheat straw can be greatly enhanced by application of straw-decomposing microbial inoculants or by applying straw-derived biochar.

Increasing profitability, yields and yield stability through sustainable crop establishment practices in the rice-wheat systems of Nepal

The rice-wheat rotation is the dominant cropping pattern in the Terai ‘food basket’ of Nepal. Current production practices require significant labor, water, and energy which erode profitability and, hence, incentives for intensification. Dry direct seeded rice (DSR) and zero tillage wheat (ZTW) have been widely tested on experiment stations as alternative establishment technologies in South Asia. However, adoption at the farm level is low, perhaps in part due to the absence of systematic technology assessment across production ecology gradients under ‘real world’ conditions. A series of participatory on-farm experiments were conducted over seven-years (2011–2017) for performance verification and refinement of DSR and ZTW technology in the western Terai region of Nepal. DSR and ZTW produced a similar or higher grain yield with lower total production cost (by $ 160 ha−1 in DSR and $ 70 ha−1 in ZTW); and higher water productivity (by 4–18% in DSR and 30% in ZTW) and net profit (by $ 122–232 ha−1 in DSR and $ 115 ha−1 in ZTW) as compared to conventional practices. When early rainfall is deficient, DSR permits timely establishment which significantly boosts yields and produced stable yield with farmers' adoption. Agronomic adjustments to DSR practices further boosted performance, with pre-sowing irrigation followed by shallow tillage reducing early weed pressure (by 30–45%) and increasing grain yield in contrast to DSR established with post-sowing irrigation. DSR can be cultivated using the same varieties and fertilizer rates as PTR, whereas ZTW can be cultivated using the same variety as conventionally tilled wheat, but fertilizer rates should be adjusted. When adopted in tandem, results confirm that DSR followed by ZTW increased rice-wheat system productivity by 0.5 to 1.9 t ha−1, reduced total production cost by $ 237 ha−1, and increased net profit by $ 347–572 ha−1 and minimized the climatic risk compared to conventional practices in rainfed or limited irrigation areas. While the benefits are clear, coordinated efforts are required to overcome technology scaling bottlenecks that have kept adoption rates of these technologies at a nascent state in Nepal.

Assessing climate adaptation options for cereal-based systems in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains, South Asia

AbstractNew farming systems and management options are needed in South Asia as the intensive rice–wheat production system is set to become increasingly unsustainable under climate change. In the current study, six cropping systems options/treatments varying in tillage, crop establishment method, residue management, crop sequence and fertilizer and water management were evaluated using a cropping systems model under current (1980–2009) and future (2030 and 2050) climate scenarios in the state of Bihar, India. The treatments were current farmers' practice (CP), best fertilizer and water management practices, zero tillage (ZT) with no crop residue retention, ZT with partial crop residue retention (ZTPR), future conservation agriculture-based rice–wheat intensive cropping system (FCS-1) and future conservation agriculture-based maize–wheat intensive cropping system (FCS-2). The results indicate that climate change is likely to reduce rice–wheat system productivity under CP by 4% across Bihar. All the crop management options studied increased yield, water productivity and net returns over that of the CP under the current and future climate scenarios. However, the ZTPR treatment gave significantly higher relative yield, lower annual yield variability and a higher benefit-cost-ratio than the other treatments across cropping system components and climate periods. Although all the new cropping system treatments had a positive yield implication under the current climate (compared to CP), they did not contribute to adaptation under the future climate except FCS-2 in wheat. It is concluded that adaptation to future climate must integrate both cropping system innovations, and genetic improvements in stress tolerance.

Sub-surface drip fertigation with conservation agriculture in a rice-wheat system: A breakthrough for addressing water and nitrogen use efficiency

The future of the South Asia’s rice-wheat (RW) production system is at stake due to continuously depleting aquifers and increasing pressure on underground water under projected climate change scenario. Conventional management factors such as flood irrigation, intensive tillage and residue burning are threatening sustainability of RW system. With increasing adoption of conservation agriculture (CA), sub-surface drip fertigation (SSDF) provides an exceptional opportunity for complementing irrigation water saving benefits. Presently, there is no research evidence on optimum spacing and depth for drip laterals in a CA (direct drilling and residue mulch) based RW system around the globe. This study was therefore, planned to evaluate effects of residue mulch, different spacing and depths of laterals for SSDF on crop yield, irrigation water productivity (WPi), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and net returns for CA based RW system in a silt loam soil in northwestern India. Drip laterals were spaced either at 33.75 cm or 67.5 cm, and installation depths were 0, 15 or 20 cm beneath the soil surface and compared with conventional and zero tillage based flood-irrigated RW systems. Grain yield and irrigation water input in rice and wheat were generally similar under different SSDF treatments. Irrigation water savings were 48–53% in rice and 42–53% in wheat under combination of SSDF and CA compared to flood irrigation system. A similar trend in WPi was recorded in both the crops. Residue mulch contributed to higher irrigation water savings, wheat yield and WPi compared to no mulch. Both rice and wheat needed 20% less N fertilizer under SSDF system to obtain grain yields similar to that under flood irrigated crops. Net returns from SSDF system with 67.5 cm lateral spacing were significantly higher compared to flood irrigation system. In conclusion, SSDF system having laterals spaced at 67.5 cm and installed at 15 cm depth provides tangible benefits for substantial saving in irrigation water and energy and increasing NUE and net income for CA based RW system in South Asia.

Wheat Production and Consumption Dynamics in an Asian Rice Economy: The Bangladesh Case

Wheat consumption in Asia’s major rice economies has been increasing over the decades. Bangladesh is no exception, despite being the world’s fourth largest rice-producing and the largest rice-consuming country. In Bangladesh, wheat consumption has doubled from 1961 to 2013, and now stands at 17.5 kg per capita, about a ninth of the rice consumption. Densely populated Bangladesh has achieved rice self-sufficiency, but relies on imports to top up modest domestic wheat production. This study assesses the prospects for Bangladesh to expand its wheat production. The rice–wheat production system offers good prospects to expand wheat production in Bangladesh and respond to increasing domestic demand. Based on the findings, this study urges the expansion of wheat production in the seasonally fallow land, particularly in southern Bangladesh. Also, this study calls for further investments in wheat research and development to ensure local adaptation, comparative advantage, and sustainable intensification.