Sustainable Intensification Of Crop Production Research Articles

Soil Organic Carbon Storage, Nitrous Oxide Emission and Net Climate Benefit of Conservation Agriculture: Insights from Two Long-Term Experiments in Zimbabwe

The slow increase in grain production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is largely the result of cropland expansion rather than an increase in crop yields, which have been stagnantly low (< 1.5 t ha-1). Sustainable intensification of crop production is therefore needed to feed a growing population whilst minimizing negative impacts on the environment, biodiversity, and climate. Full accounting of the net global warming potential (GWP) of management practices can provide a holistic approach for identifying cropping systems that promote sustainable agriculture intensification to ensure food security whilst mitigating climate change.

Intercropping System: Enhancing Productivity and Sustainability in Hot Pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Cultivation: A Review

The practice of intercropping hot peppers and basil has yielded several benefits, as discussed in this article. Intercropping is the cultivation of multiple crop species in the same plot of land for a specific period with the aim of increasing yield by utilizing resources such as solar radiation, water, and mineral nutrients more effectively. Studies have shown that Intercropping systems capture and utilize more water, nitrogen, and light than single-crop systems, leading to improved moisture and nutrient use efficiency. Additionally, the use of intercropping systems has been found to enhance crop diversification, thereby reducing the risk of total crop failure and improving yield stability over seasons. This practice has also been shown to increase gross returns per unit area, leading to increased land productivity and financial benefits. Furthermore, planting basil alongside hot peppers has been documented to enhance the productivity of the main crop, while reducing losses due to pests, diseases, and weeds caused by the presence of phytonutrients. Overall, intercropping has been found to be an important agricultural activity that allows for increased yield gains through efficient utilization of growth resources, making it an ideal option for the sustainable intensification of crop production.

Native mycorrhizal communities in maize roots as affected by plant genotype, starter fertilization and a seed-applied biostimulant

Background and aimsOne of the most promising strategies for sustainable intensification of crop production involves the utilization of beneficial root-associated microorganisms, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The aim of this study was to investigate whether a seed-applied biostimulant, based on the bacterial strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IT-45 and a plant polysaccharide extract, and crop enhancement tools, such as hybrids with contrasting early vigor and nitrogen (N) plus phosphorus (P) starter fertilization, and their interactions, shape the communities of native root-colonizing AMF symbionts in maize.MethodsA factorial growth chamber experiment was set up with two maize genotypes in natural soil. Mycorrhizal colonization was evaluated after root staining. The diversity and composition of AMF communities were assessed by PCR-DGGE of the 18S rRNA gene and amplicon sequencing.ResultsN and P fertilization determined a consistent reduction of AMF root colonization and, in combination of biostimulant, a reduction of AMF richness. The biostimulant alone generally did not affect AMF colonization or the community biodiversity. In addition the effect of the two factors were modulated by maize genotype. In all treatments, predominant AMF were represented by Glomus sp. and Funneliformis mosseae, while populations of the genus Rhizoglomus were rarely detected in biostimulant and NP fertilization treatments.ConclusionThe results of this study increase our understanding of how the biostimulant seed treatment may affect native AMF communities, depending on NP fertilization and maize genotype and may improve the implementation of innovative tools in sustainable and resilient agroecosystems.

Agronomic Considerations for Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production

Sustainable intensification of crop production is a multifaceted strategy aimed at meeting the increasing global demand for food while minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture. This article delves into key agronomic considerations crucial for achieving sustainable intensification. Conservation agriculture practices, including minimum tillage and crop residue retention, are explored for their role in promoting soil health and reducing erosion. Precision agriculture technologies, such as GPS and remote sensing, are highlighted for optimizing resource use. Crop diversification, rotation, and water use efficiency strategies are discussed to address issues of monoculture, nutrient imbalance, and water scarcity. Integrated nutrient management, incorporating organic sources and precision application, is examined for its contribution to soil fertility. Agroforestry and biodiversity promotion are explored as means to enhance ecosystem resilience. By integrating these agronomic considerations, farmers can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system capable of meeting global food demands while safeguarding the environment.

Decreased greenhouse gas intensity of winter wheat production under plastic film mulching in semi-arid areas

Greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), the evaluation of GHG emissions per unit yield rather than per unit land area, has recently received much attention. Plastic film mulching (PFM) is one of the major agricultural practices in semi-arid areas, but few studies have synthetically studied the effects of PFM on GHGI, grain yield, soil characteristics, and their potential relationships at different winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growing stages. Here in the semi-arid Chinese Loess Plateau, we simultaneously investigated two cropping systems from 2018 to 2020: PFM with 100 % cover and no film mulching (control). Averaged across two growing seasons, the PFM treatment significantly increased soil temperature, water-filled pore spaces and soil water storage, while sustaining high aboveground biomass (31.9 %) and grain yield (45.5 %). The PFM treatment significantly increased cumulative N2O emissions by 56.2 %, CO2 emissions by 39.7 %, and CH4 uptake by 151.4 % compared to the control treatment. GHGI are on average 14.2 % lower in the PFM treatment than in the control treatment. Moreover, the PFM treatment significantly improved soil enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, catalase, invertase, and urease) and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen from grain filling to maturity stage. Altogether, the reductions in GHGI suggest that PFM-induced increases in grain yield could outweigh the adverse impacts on GHG emissions, underscoring the potential to apply PFM for sustainable intensification of crop production in semi-arid areas.

Tropical root-and tuber crops-based cropping systems — A review

Multiple cropping is the best way of sustainable intensification of crop production, from the limited resources. More flexibility in planting and harvesting of tropical root and tuber crops provide ample scope for various crop production systems. Intercropping of legumes, cereals, and vegetables in root and tuber crops increased system productivity with land-use efficiency, though yields of sole crop of roots and tubers decreased. Intercropping root and tuber crops in plantation and fruit tree crops gave additional returns. Weed suppression, pest and disease reduction and improvement in soil nutrient status are the additional benefits of root and tuber crops involved in multiple cropping systems. In rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping system in the coastal plains of Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) is planted after harvesting of rice to take advantage of the residual soil moisture and fertilizers. Multiple cropping also reduces severity of pests and diseases. The climate smart root and tuber crops generate assured income under various cropping systems.

Managing the functional diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for the sustainable intensification of crop production

Societal Impact StatementThe need to increase food production with reduced use of resources and environmental impact demands innovative rethinking and evolution of cropping systems. The essential changes required are consistent with sustaining arbuscular mycorrhiza, which, together with their associated microorganisms, could be managed to play an important role, especially in the protection of crops against abiotic and biotic stresses. Mycorrhiza should be included in agronomic decision processes, where chemical options to protect crops are limited or require the use of large applications. Defining rotational plant sequence or using cover crops and adopting reduced or no‐till techniques are key components of a strategy for a consistent and predictable way of manipulating the native inoculum to capitalize on the manifold benefits potentially provided by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi through their functional diversity.SummaryDespite the wide range of benefits arbuscular mycorrhiza can confer, they are not usually considered in large‐scale farming systems because the potential improvements in crop yields through the enhanced uptake of nutrients is a matter of debate and the advantages from the bio‐protection afforded against biotic and abiotic stresses have not been adequately recognised. Research carried out by our group over the last 20 years has allowed the development of a strategy based on the intentional use of selected host plants (Developer plants), to develop an extensive extraradical mycelium which, when kept intact by the adoption of appropriate tillage techniques, acts as preferential source of inoculum for the following crop, leading to earlier and faster colonization by AM fungi. Depending on the particular host plant chosen as Developer, this strategy can also be used as a tool to manage AMF functional diversity. Using this approach, we have achieved effective protection against abiotic (Mn soil toxicity) and biotic (Fusarium oxysporum and Magnaporthiopsis maydis) stresses in different crops. The strategy can easily be applied at field scale, both in low and high input cropping systems. It only requires small changes to the cropping system, such as employing no‐till and altered crop rotation or cover crops, that are simple to adopt and can realistically be implemented at the field level. This represents an important breakthrough as it allows intentional and predictable manipulation of the native soil mycorrhizal population over a range of different soils and circumstances.

Concomitant tracking of NH3, N2O and soil mineral-N using steady-state incubation cells to enhance sustainability of urea fertilization approaches

Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency to assure sustainable intensification of crop production, while minimizing N-environmental threats, is a major challenge. These drive important developments of N-fertilization approaches and enhanced efficiency N-fertilizers (EENFs). The complexity of N-dynamics under different soils, environmental conditions, and application modes requires improvement of decision-making tools. Meta-analyses demonstrate the contribution of EENFs to sustainable intensification. Yet, improvements based on local field specific information, and particularly with new N-fertilization approaches, are needed. This project focuses on an upgraded laboratory designed steady state incubation system connected to a Long-Path gas cell mounted on an FTIR spectrometer, allowing fast determination of NH3 and N2O emissions concomitant with mineral N-dynamics in soils under different N-fertilization approaches. The system was tested with four representative soils, fertilized with surface applied urea or urea amended with urease inhibitors (UI). Different soil water saturation (WS) levels and urea application rates were tested over 14 days of incubation·NH3 losses (%N-applied) in the steady state system were 2 to 7 times higher than in the previously designed non-steady state system. Highest losses were observed when urea was applied to lighter soils with pH above 7.5 (~13% to 46%), especially under low (30%) water saturation (WS). Substituting to UI reduced the accumulated NH3 losses (14 days) by 55 to 92%. Highest N2O losses were obtained with the lighter soils (1.2% to 1.7%) at 50% WS and lowest urea application rate. UI assisted in reducing N2O losses in some of the tested soils, showing different dependencies on WS and urea concentration. This variety demonstrates the complexity of the N-processes involved under different soils and conditions, and was also expressed in the mineral-N concentrations. This simple experimental design has the potential to improve our insights and help evaluate EENFs sustainability.

Worldwide water constraints on attainable irrigated production for major crops

In order to achieve worldwide food security, there is a focus on sustainable intensification of crop production. This requires sustainable irrigation water use for irrigated croplands, as irrigation withdrawals are already resulting in groundwater exploitation and unmet ecosystem water requirements. Our study aims to quantify attainable wheat, maize, rice and soybean production on currently irrigated cropland under sustainable water use. Attainable production accounts for increases in nutrient application, while limiting irrigation withdrawals to renewable water availability and without compromising river ecosystem water requirements. Attainable production was quantified using a newly developed two-way coupled hydrological model and crop model. This model framework could comprehensively simulate biophysical processes related to water availability and crop growth under water and nutrient limitations. Our results indicate worldwide crop nitrogen uptake should increase by 20%, to achieve production gap closure. However, worldwide irrigation withdrawals should decrease by more than a third in order to ensure sustainable water use. Under these constraints, a total (all crops) production decrease of 5% was estimated, compared to currently achievable production. Moreover, achievable irrigated crop production in the extensively irrigated croplands of northeastern China, Pakistan and northwestern India would be reduced by up to a third. On the other hand, increases in achievable irrigated crop production may be possible in regions such as southern America, eastern Europe and central Africa. However, in these regions currently only a small fraction of crops is irrigated. Our results imply that intensification on currently irrigated croplands is at odds with sustainable water management, and further locally-oriented research is needed to assess suitable water management options and solutions.

Towards Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production—Yield Gaps and Water Use Efficiency in Farming Systems

The primary objective of any cropping system continues to be increasing the productivity and profitability of crops [...]

Sustainable intensification of crop production under alternative future changes in climate and technology: The case of the North Savo region

CONTEXTSustainable intensification (SI) is needed to cope with the challenges agriculture faces with respect to climate change and increasing food demand. Northern cropping systems may benefit from longer and warmer growing seasons, but the sustainability of production will be challenged due to increased production risks. Concentrated efforts are needed to find ways to adapt cropping to changing conditions and sustainably intensify production. OBJECTIVEThis study combined stakeholder knowledge and simulation modelling to find means for the sustainable intensification of cereal production in the North Savo region in Finland. METHODSStakeholders identified promising intensification measures in two workshops. Alternative options for sustainable intensification and climate adaptations and their combinations were assessed using the APSIM cropping system model. The model was used to assess cereal yields, the grain nitrogen (N) content, nitrate leaching and water productivity for a historical baseline (1981–2010) and mid-century conditions (2041–2070) projected by five general circulation models for different emission scenarios. Simulated management options included improved cultivars with later maturing characteristics, improved heat/drought resistance and nitrogen-use efficiency, increased N fertilisation levels, improved crop rotations together with improved soil, as well as supplementary and full irrigation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe simulation results indicated that although a warming climate in conjunction with elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations generally increase yield levels, N uptake and water productivity, risks associated with higher N leaching due to increased precipitation are a challenge for the sustainability of crop production. Overall, different SI options affected the sustainability indicators studied more than future projected climate, strongly suggesting that there is a large potential for sustainably intensifying crop production in northern conditions, particularly when applying more than one intensification measure at a time. Among a wide set of SI options tested for their sustainability impacts, improved crop cultivars showed the firmest positive impacts. This was supported by the views of agricultural stakeholders in the region. SIGNIFICANCEWhile the agricultural stakeholder's suggestions for alternative SI options challenged the simulation approach to some extent, the simulations provided robust information for comparing the sustainability impacts of alternative measures.

Can reduced tillage buffer the future climate warming effects on maize yield in different soil types of West Africa?

The sustainable intensification of crop production in West Africa is constrained by soil degradation exacerbated by climatic factors such as excessive rainfall and high temperature. Adoption of climate-smart soil and crop management practices could buffer future extreme weather effects on maize yield. To test this hypothesis, the overarching aim of our study was to (i) calibrate and evaluation the DSSAT model for maize and parameterize the DSSAT tillage module for different tillage practices (contour ridge tillage and reduced tillage), and (ii) simulate the effects of different management options (tillage and crop residue incorporation) to buffer future extreme climate events on maize yield in four soil types (Lixisols and Plinthosols) located in two landscape positions (upslope and footslopes) of Benin and Burkina-Faso in West Africa, using two climate scenarios (baseline and 2 °C above pre-industrial period). Scenario analysis was performed using factorial combination of two tillage operations (contour ridge and reduced tillage), one crop residue treatment (with crop residue), and two N fertilizer rates (recommended N rate: 60 kg ha−1 and double recommended N rate: 120 kg ha−1) using HAPPI dataset.Model performance (calibration, evaluation and tillage model parameterization) was good as indicated by the lower normalized root mean square error (nRMSE, 12 %–18 %) and mean root absolute error (MRAE, 10 %–16 %), and higher d-index (0.78−0.93) depending on tillage practices and soil types. Long term future climate simulations and cumulative probability distribution confirmed that with both fertilization cases (recommended and double recommended), contour ridge tillage along with crop residue application could enhance maize yield (4 %–7 %) at upslope field sites under a future 2 °C warming scenario, where soil erosion and loss of water and nutrients through runoff is a serious risk. Simultaneously, reduced tillage with crop residue application under both fertilization cases could be a valuable alternative to farmer’s practice in fields with deep soils at footslope position (St1 and St3), as it resulted in a higher increase of maize yield (14.5 %) under future 2 °C warming scenario compared to the baseline and could be preferred by risk-averse farmers. Maize production on gravelly soils with low water retention capacity (St1, 63−66 mm) may suffer (-11 %) from future 2 °C warming regardless of the tillage practice. However, despite the significant site-specific tillage effects, intensified N fertilizer application could reduce maize yield losses on St2, St3, and St4, irrespective of tillage practices by improving maize N uptake under elevated CO2 during future warming period. Hence, the application of site-specific tillage operations and crop residue application has the potential to buffer future warming effects on maize yield as confirmed by DSSAT simulations.

Sustainable Cropping Systems

Crop production must increase substantially to meet the needs of a rapidly growing human population, but this is constrained by the availability of resources such as nutrients, water, and land. There is also an urgent need to reduce negative environmental impacts from crop production. Collectively, these issues represent one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century. Sustainable cropping systems based on ecological principles, appropriate use of inputs, and soil improvement are the core for integrated approaches to solve this grand challenge. This special issue includes several review and original research articles on these topics for an array of cropping systems, which can advise implementation of best management practices and lead to advances in agronomics for sustainable intensification of crop production.

Digging Deeper for Agricultural Resources, the Value of Deep Rooting.

In the quest for sustainable intensification of crop production, we discuss the option of extending the root depth of crops to increase the volume of soil exploited by their root systems. We discuss the evidence that deeper rooting can be obtained by appropriate choice of crop species, by plant breeding, or crop management and its potential contributions to production and sustainable development goals. Many studies highlight the potentials of deeper rooting, but we evaluate its contributions to sustainable intensification of crop production, the causes of the limited research into deep rooting of crops, and the research priorities to fill the knowledge gaps.

Balancing indicators for sustainable intensification of crop production at field and river basin levels

Adequate tools for evaluating sustainable intensification (SI) of crop production for agro-hydrological system are not readily available. Building on existing concepts, we propose a framework for evaluating SI at the field and river basin levels. The framework serves as a means to assess and visualise SI indicator values, including yield, water-use efficiency and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE), alongside water and nitrogen surpluses and their effects on water quantity and quality. To demonstrate the SI assessment framework, we used empirical data for both the field level (the Static Fertilization Experiment at Bad Lauchstädt) and the river basin level (the Selke basin, 463 km2) in central Germany. Crop yield and resource use efficiency varied considerably from 1980 to 2014, but without clear trends. NUE frequently fell below the desirable range (<50%), exposing the environment to a large N surplus (>80 kg N ha−1). For the catchment as a whole, the average nitrate-N concentration (3.6 mg L−1) was slightly higher than the threshold of 2.5 mg L−1 nitrate-N in surface water. However, weather and climate-related patterns, due to their effects on transport capacity and dilution, influenced water quantity and quality indicators more than agronomic practices. To achieve SI of crop production in the Selke basin, irrigation and soil moisture management are required to reduce yield variability and reduce N surpluses at field level. In addition, optimum application of fertiliser and manure could help to reduce the nitrate-N concentration below the set water quality standards in the Selke basin. In this way, there is scope for increase in yields and resource use efficiencies, and thus potential reduction of environmental impacts at basin level. We conclude that the framework is useful for assessing sustainable production, by simultaneously considering objectives related to crop production, resource-use efficiency and environmental quality, at both field and river basin levels.

Farming on the fringe: Shallow groundwater dynamics and irrigation scheduling for maize and wheat in Bangladesh’s coastal delta

Further efforts are needed to combat poverty and agricultural productivity problems in the delta region of Bangladesh. Sustainable intensification of crop production through irrigation and production of cash crops such as maize and wheat might be a promising option to increase income and diversify food production. Only limited research has however been conducted on the potential of using surface water from canals as an irrigation source for maize and wheat production in the delta region. To better understand the contribution of shallow groundwater to crop production and number of irrigations needed for maize and wheat in this unique coastal environment, we conducted multi-locational trials on farmers' fields over three rabi seasons. In addition to soil moisture and salinity, we recorded the depth and salinity of the shallow water table throughout these experiments. Maize in particular requires considerable capital investment for seeds, fertilizer, irrigation and labor. Although farmers express wide interest in maize – which can be sold as a profitable cash crop into Bangladesh's expanding poultry feed industry – many of them are reluctant to invest in fertilizer because of the high entry costs. We therefore also investigated the profitability of growing maize under low and high (recommended) fertilizer regimens. Volumetric soil moisture at sowing and during the grain filling phase or at maturity indicated that there is ample supply of water in the profile. Most measurements were above the drained upper limit (DUL). We attributed this to the generally shallow water table depths, which never exceeded 2.75 m at any location, but generally stayed between 1–2 m depth throughout the season. The region’s soil texture classes (clay loams, silt loams and silty clay loams) are all conducive for capillary rise of water into the rooting zone. Consequently, irrigation had a significant effect on maize yield in the driest winter only, whereas for wheat, it had no effect. The key for a successful maize and wheat production in the delta region of Bangladesh is to ensure a good crop establishment, which can be achieved with a starter and an additional irrigation at crown root initiation for wheat and at V6-8 for maize. Maize however is not always profitable. Compared to low fertilizer rates, higher rates reduced losses in low yielding site-years and increased profits in high-yielding site years. This indicates that it is advisable for farmers not to reduce fertilizer rates. Low-risk financial credit with rationally structured interest rates that allow farmers to invest in maize could potentially offset these constraints.

Towards Sustainable Potato Production: Partnering to Support Family Farmers in Africa

This paper highlights the current developments towards the sustainable intensification of crop production to combat hunger and malnutrition. It also stresses the specific role the cultivation of potato can play in abolishing hunger and malnutrition. Finally, it describes the role of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in achieving sustainable intensification of potato production.

Promoting Smallholder Adoption of Conservation Agriculture through Mechanization Services

The importance of conservation agriculture (CA) is discussed in the context of producing food for a growing population while, at the same time, conserving and improving the natural resource base: sustainable crop production intensification. CA requires mechanization, and the necessary equipment may be beyond the reach of the majority of smallholder farmers, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. A logical solution to this situation is to provide CA mechanization services from private sector entrepreneurs. These will be well-equipped with appropriate CA equipment and will usually benefit from specific training on the technical aspects of CA machinery operation and on the business skills needed to run a profitable venture. The technical skills to be reinforced include: equipment selection, calibration of planters, seeders and sprayers, field operation, maintenance and repair. Business skills needed include: market research and feasibility studies, business planning, calculation of operational costs, partial budgets, break-even points and cash flows. The case is made for local manufacture to reduce the costs of machinery acquisition and to encourage local adaptation. Start-up costs are discussed together with the options of obtaining finance. Guidelines for marketing and managing the mechanization service provision business are developed. These include the importance of contracts, work planning, regular maintenance schedules and record keeping. Finally the most appropriate vehicle for delivering the training and sustaining support is considered. Formal training courses are a good starting point, but can be expensive to organize and execute. Individual counselling from extension sources is a viable option when the quality of the service is high enough. Study groups of involved entrepreneurs should be encouraged and supported to overcome the problems that will inevitably arise in new business ventures.

Potential of conservation agriculture (CA) for climate change adaptation and food security under rainfed uplands of India: A transdisciplinary approach

Rainfed agro-ecosystems, the purported grey patches untouched by the Green Revolution or most technological advances, occupy a prominent position in Indian agriculture. Cropping intensities and crop yields are low and unstable in these areas due to unpredictable patterns of rainfall, a host of biotic and abiotic stresses and adherence to traditional farm practices. This precarious food security situation is especially dangerous in the central Indian tribal belt (also known as the poverty belt) which is a typical rainfed area dominated by tribal communities. More than 90% of the tribal people are totally dependent on agriculture and produce much of what they eat. Small land holdings and their low productivity, along with uncertainties in rainfall patterns, increases economic and social risks for these farmers. With degraded soils and unreliable weather patterns, return on investment is uncertain and likely to be much lower overall than under irrigated conditions with better soils. Under such conditions, one approach to achieve improved crop production is to minimize soil and other natural resource degradation by adopting a set of crop-nutrient-water-land system management practices, such as conservation agriculture (CA). To assess the effect of introduced technology under local ecological and socio-economic conditions, the study focused on two ecosystem services: a) provisional, and b) regulatory through five treatments consisting of farmers' traditional practice (FP) which was conventional tillage with broadcast of local variety maize (Zea mays L.); and four CA treatments viz., conventional tillage with sole cropped maize using line sowing of the improved maize cultivar ‘Nilesh’ (CT-M); conventional tillage with maize intercropped with the improved cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. cultivar ‘Hariyalli Bush’) (CT-M+C); reduced tillage with sole cropped maize (MT-M); and reduced tillage with maize+cowpea (MT-M+C). After harvest of maize and cowpea, mustard was planted as a post rainy season crop and all the mustard plant residues were returned to their respective plots as residue cover except FP. Under provisional ecosystem services, performance of CA on crop yield, and profitability was assessed through maize equivalent yield and partial budget analysis, respectively. Results showed that reduced tillage combined with maize-cowpea intercropping (MT-M+C) followed by mustard residue retention had higher system productivity and net benefits, an increase of 200% and 230%, respectively over FP. Under regulatory ecosystem services, the soil quality was assessed through calculation of soil quality index (SQI) which was highest under MT-M+C followed by mustard residue retention and lowest under farmers' practices. In terms of CA treatment preference, 35% of the farmers indicated a strong preference for MT-M+C compared to 14% for FP. Combined, these results clearly demonstrate the potential of CA to simultaneously increase yield, diversify crop production and improve soil quality which should support a move towards sustainable intensification of crop production to improve future household income and food security. Additionally, using a transdisciplinary approach fully engaged all stakeholders in co-designing the CA treatments appropriate for the farmers and local environmental conditions leading to significant impacts on economic livelihoods, environmental sustainability and food security.

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

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.