Evaluation of Precision-Conservation Agriculture based practices for improved resource use efficiency and carbon

footprints in maize-wheat cropping system

PROJECT

Location: Taraori, Karnal, India in collaboration with CIMMYT Year of start: Kharif 2012

Ram Dhan Jat Enl. No. 2011A9D CCS HAU, Hisar, India

INTRODUCTION

Why Conservation agriculture….

Factors of concern in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India for cereal system

The inefficient use of inputs (fertilizer, water, labor)

Increasing scarcity of resources, energy and labor

Changing climate

Socioeconomic changes (urbanization, labor migration, preference of nonagricultural work, concerns about farm-related pollution, etc.).

Why MWCS………… RW Cropping System (13.5 mha) Caused many second generation problems in IGP

land degradation

Declining underground water table

Environmental pollution

Higher production cost

Receding total factor productivity

Labor, water and energy crises

OBJECTIVES

1. To study the effect of precision conservation agriculture based management practices on productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency in maize-wheat cropping system

2. To record crop growth pattern under improved management scenario

3. To study the effect of tillage, residue management, legumes and nutrient management practices on carbon footprints in conventional vis-à-vis conservation agriculture based management practices

Treatment details A. Main-plots (tillage, residue, legume) 1.CT- Remove/burn (W)-Remove (M)-Green gram [Conventional/Farmers practice] 2. CT- Incorporate wheat stubbles-Incorporate 50 % maize + Green gram [Improve over FP] 3. PB-Retain stubble (W)-retain 50% (M)-Green gram [Partial CA] 4. PB- Retain stubble (W)-retain 50% (M) + Green gram (retain all residue) [Full CA] B. Sub-plot (Nutrient management) 1. Farmer fertilizer practice [FP] 2. State recommendations [SR] 3. Site specific nutrient management [SSNM]

Methodology Crop/plant related parameters

• Growth attributes • Yield attributes and yield • Plant chemical analysis

Soil related parameters • Soil physical properties: Texture, BD, HC, IR and soil

aggregation before and after the expt. • Soil chemical properties: pH, EC, OC, available NPK. • Nutrient balance sheets

Irrigation water parameters • Soil moisture content and potential • Water use efficiency • Water productivity

Resource use efficiency • Nutrient use efficiency • Energy use efficiency • Water use efficiency • Economic efficiency

Carbon sustainability index • Carbon input • Carbon output

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CT (FP) CT (Imp FP) Partial CA Full CA

FP SRF SSNM (NE)

- During first year, tillage, residue & legume had non-significant effect on grain yield - 1.46 and 0.47 t/ha/year of higher yield was observed through NE system (SSNM)

over to FFP and SRF in MW system.

Crop productivity Results

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CT (FP) CT (Imp FP) Partial CA Full CA

FP SRF SSNM (NE)

- NR was improved by INR 16561 and 14950/ha/year with full and partial CA respectively over farmer’s management.

- Fertilizer management by NE (SSNM) under full CA helped in improving the NR by INR 22416 and 13035/ha/year over FFP and SRF, respectively.

Net returns (INR/ha) of MWCS

Thank You

Conclusion

- CA based practices with precise nutrient management under MWCS proved to be more productive and remunerative than farmers practices