CONSERVATION TILLAGE

Definition
conservation tillage as any tillage and planting system in which at least 30 per cent of the soil surface is covered by residue after planting in

order to reduce soil erosion. ( Whyte, 1987)

Introduction
Conservation tillage was 1st developed in semi arid regions of USA ,Canada, Australia.

1-36% in the northern plains, 20% in the

southern plains, 19% in the pacific region.

 Conservation tillage systems are currently

adopted on nearly 100 million ha worldwide.

United States is the leading country, followed

by Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Australia and Paraguay

Zero tillage
Father of zero tillage is George McKibben.
Primary tillage is completely avoided and

secondary tillage is restricted to seed-bed preparation in the row zone only.

It is also known as No-till.

Extent of adoption of no-tillage system worldwide (2004-05) Country USA Brazil Argentina Canada Australia

Area under no-tillage (million ha) 25.30 23.60 18.27 12.52 9.00

Paraguay
India Others (Estimate)

1.70
1.90 1.00
MODERN CONCEPTS OF AGRICULTURE
Conservation Tillage
Dr. A.R. Sharma . Pages:1-42

Advantages
Zero tillage significantly reduces cost of production. Zero tillage increases the yield by 5-15% over the conventional system. Zero tillage uses a seed and fertilizer drill and thus improves germination and plant stand over traditional broadcasting system Improves fertilizer efficiency through better placement. Less water is used in zero tillage, and therefore, there is less leaching of nitrogen. The organic matter content of zero-till soils may stay higher

Zero tillage reduces diesel consumption by 40-70 litres per ha depending upon soil condition and thus, reduces the CO2 emission in the environment (2.6 kg CO2 production/litre of diesel burnt).
Zero tillage reduces soil erosion and land degradation. Saving in time in seedbed preparation. Advancement in sowing time over conventional system by 2-4 weeks depending upon the type of soil.

Disadvantages
Increase in soil density.
Reduced infiltration rate and pore space. Increased incidence of broad-leaved weeds (Rumex spp.,

Malva spp.), grasses (wild oat) and perennials (Cynodon dactylon, Paspalum distichum) . The seedling establishment in zero tillage is 20% less than in conventional methods. Require 20-30% more seed and fertilizer

Effect of tillage and weed management on weed growth and grain yield of wheat at Karnal
Tillage Weed growth (g/m2) Control Metribuzin 397.0 288.0 257.2 393.8 61.4 69.5 37.8 28.3 49.8 Grain yield (t/ha) Control Metribuzin 2.88 3.97 4.64 4.31 0.22 3.08 5.09 5.09 5.13

Surface seeding Zero tillage Conventional tillage Reduced tillage CD (0.05)

MODERN CONCEPTS OF AGRICULTURE Conservation Tillage Dr. A.R. Sharma . Pages:1-42

Average yield and net return of crops under different tillage systems on farmers fields in eastern Uttar Pradesh Crops.
Grain yield (t/ha) Treatment Early pigeonpea Kharif maize Rabi maize Pea Zero tillage 1.15 2.60 4.25 2.28 Conventional tillage 0.90 2.35 3.66 1.95 Net returns (Rs./ha) Zero tillage 13,900 2,350 8,213 21,840 Conventional tillage 8,181 358 4,215 11,850

Lentil
Chickpea Lathyrus Summer mungbean

1.70
2.00 1.45 0.45

1.50
1.86 1.31 0.39

21,800
23,200 12,050 3,738

1,750
20,830 10,030

MODERN CONCEPTS OF AGRICULTURE Conservation Tillage Dr. A.R. Sharma . Pages:1-42

Effect of tillage energy output-input ratio and economics in maize

Treatment Total uptake by maize (t/ha) grain yield (t/ha) 2004 4.82 4.23 0.04 0.13 9.9 9.6 15901 10756 1.50 1.09 energy outputinput ratio Net return (Rs/ha) B:C ratio

P 24.7 21.1 0.3 1.0

K 100.9 1.2 1.2 3.7

Tillage method
Tilled No tilled Sem CD (P=0.05) 98.3 88.1 1.2 3.7

C.K. Sarma et. Al, , indian journal of agronomy 299-303 (dec 2010)

Stubble mulch tillage

Stubble mulch tillage was first developed as a wind

erosion measure by a coordinated research effort aimed at avoiding a repeat of the disastrous dust bowl calamity of the 1930s in the central USA.
Crop residues are left on the soil surface by using

subtillage equipment for loosening the soil and controlling weed growth.

Advantages
Reducing runoff and erosion.
Reduced evaporation Improved soil moisture Improved nutritional status Reducing salinity Soil temperature

Disadvantages
Reduced soil temperature
Sanitary problems Weeds Phytotoxic substances

Effect of Tillage and Mulching on Yield of Corn in the Submontaneous Rainfed Region of Punjab, India
RAJAN BHATT, K.L.KHERA AND SANJAY ARORA Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana .

Effect of tillage and mode of mulch application on straw yield of corn (q ha-1)
Mode of application of Mulch
Mw M1/3rd Ms Mv Mo Mean CD Tm 41.4 33.1 33.0 25.6 25.5 31.7 1.04

Tillage
Tc 39.1 22.0 31.6 25.0 24.6 30.5

Mean

40.3 32.6 32.3 25.3 25.1

(Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY 15608530/2004/061126128)

Minimum tillage

Minimum tillage is aimed at reducing tillage to the minimum necessary for ensuring a good seedbed, rapid germination, a satisfactory stand and favorable growing conditions.

Advantages
Improved soil conditions. Higher infiltration Less resistance to root growth due to improved

structure.
Less soil compaction

Disadvantages
Seed germination is lower with minimum tillage. In minimum tillage, more nitrogen has to be added. Nodulation is affected in some leguminous crops like

peas and broad beans.

Sowing operations are difficult with ordinary equipment. Continuous use of herbicides cause pollution problems.

Tillage and legume mulching effects on moisture conservation and productivity of rainfed maize wheat cropping system.
A.R.SHARMA, RATAN SINGH, S.K.DHYANI AND R.K.DUBE

System productivity and economic analysis as influenced by tillage and weed control:
Treatment Mean productivity (t/ha) Maize Wheat Total maize equivale nt Net returns (10 Rs/ha) Net benfit:cost ratio Maize Wheat System Maize Wheat system

Tillage and weed control CT-MW CT-CW MT-MW 2.29 2.41 2.09 2.41 2.55 2.21 6.15 6.49 5.63 4.40 5.96 3.50 17.66 19.94 15.76 22.60 25.90 19.26 0.352 0.49 0.292 1.54 1.846 1.446 0.92 1.136 0.841

MT-CW

2.31

2.51

6.33

5.66

19.72

25.38

0.49

1.91

1.16

A.R.Sharma et. al, indian journal of agronomy; 245-252(dec-2010)

Effect of tillage and weed control practices on grain yield of wheat (t/ha)
Weed control Weedy check Isoproturon + 2,4-D Clodinafop +2,4-D Mean Zero tillage 1.32 2.68 4.84 2.95 ZT + chemical Conventiona stale seed bed l tillage 1.74 2.42 4.46 2.87 1.79 2.38 4.71 2.96 Deep tillage 1.25 2.37 4.20 2.61 mean 1.53 2.46 4.55

NAMRATA JAIN et. al, , indian journal of agronomy; 131-134 (jun 2007)

Yield, economics and energitics of maize and wheat as affected by different tillage practices (mean data)
Tillage practice Plant Cobs no. Grain populat (10 /ha) yield ion (t/ha) (10 /ha) 65.7 71.3 68 68.3 1.7 NS 36.5 40.4 41.7 35.1 2.1 NS 2.3 3.20 3.47 2.94 0.10 .35 Net income (10 Rs/ha B:C ratio Energ input( 10 Mj/ha Energy output (10 Mj/ha Energy use efficienc y

Maize ZT CT fresh raised bed permanent raised bed SEM CD(P=0.05) 13.4 12.3 18.6 16.9 0.65 2.89 1.14 0.73 1.65 1.50 0.08 0.35 12.6 17.7 18.9 11.9 0.2 0.8 85.1 92.2 107.9 87 3.4 15 6.75 5.21 5.71 7.29 0.21 0.97

veer singh et. al, indian journal of agronomy 83-87(jun 2011)

Yield, economics and energitics of maize and wheat as affected by different tillage practices (mean data)
Tillage practice Effective tillers per sq . mt Grain yield (t/ha) Net income (10 Rs/ha B:C ratio Energ y input(1 0 Mj/ha Energy output (10 Mj/ha Energy use efficiency

Wheat

ZT
CT fresh raised bed permanent raised bed SEM CD(P=0.05)

379
509 534 464 6 22

3.04
4.04 4.24 3.80 0.06 0.21

39.3
47.3 58.9 52.8 1.5 6.8

2.81
2.25 3.27 3.51 0.17 0.77

18.6
22.8 22.1 17.7 0.1 0.5

105.6
108.8 121.5 116.3 1.2 5.3

5.67
4.77 5.49 6.58 0.06 0.3

veer singh et. al, indian journal of agronomy 83-87(jun 2011)

conclusion