Conservation agriculture (CA) refers to a set of agricultural practices encompassing minimum mechanical soil disturbance, diversified crop rotation and permanent soil cover with crop residues to mitigate soil erosion and improve soil fertility besides soil functions. The CA aims to conserve, improve and make more efficient use of resources through CA-based technologies. It has many tangible and intangible benefits in terms of reduced cost of production, saving of time, increased yield through timely planting, improved water productivity, adaptation to climate variability, reduced disease and pest incidence through stimulation of biological diversity, reduced environmental footprints and ultimately improvements in soil health. However, weeds are a major biotic interference in CA, posing big defy towards its success unless all the principles are completely followed. Development of post-emergence herbicide and growing herbicide-tolerant crops and also the retention of crop residues as a mulch help in managing weed problems and also improve soil moisture retention. Furthermore, this practice of agriculture improves soil organic carbon content which ultimately leads to an increase in input use efficiency.

1. WELCOME

2. Recent Advances in Conservation Agriculture and
Future Prospectives
Doctoral Seminar - II
Presented by
Mr. Wairagade Mahendra Nandlal
Ph. D. (Scholar)
Regd. No. ADPD/21/0355
Seminar In-charge,
Dr. P. S. Bodake
Head,
Department of Agronomy,
Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli

3. Contents
Introduction
What is Conservation Agriculture (CA) ?
Conservation agriculture success over world and India
Principles and Goals of Conservation Agriculture
Problems associated with Conventional Agriculture
Recent advances in Conservation Agriculture
Future prospective
Constraints for adoption of Conservation Agriculture
Conclusion
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4. INTRODUCTION
In India, out of total geographical area (329 M ha), about 147 M ha is subjected
to varying degree and forms of soil degradation.
Extensive tillage operations will results in Soil degradation, enhances organic
matter decomposition, destruction of soil aggregates, soil erosion and
ultimately results in decline health of soil.
Hence, there is need of practices that will minimize the various soil problems
such as degradation of land, the concept of conservation agriculture is being
emerging as a solution to this problem.
Conservation agriculture is not only essential for sustaining of soil
productivity but is also essential to minimize the energy consumption in
agriculture.

5. What is Conservation agriculture (CA) ?
Definition
A farming system that promotes
• Minimum soil disturbance (i.e. no-till
farming)
• Maintenance of a permanent soil cover
• Diversification of plant species.
• Enhances biodiversity and natural
biological processes above and below the
ground surface
• Increased water and nutrient use
efficiency
• Improved and sustained crop production
(FAO).

6. Conservation agriculture success over world and India
Bhan and Behera, 2014
 Globally, CA is being practiced on about 125 M ha.
 USA has been the pioneer country in adopting CA systems and
currently more than 25.5 million ha land is under such system.
 Countries where CA practices have now been widely adopted for
many years in Brazil (25.5 M ha), Argentina (25.5 M ha), Canada (13.5
M ha) and Australia (17.0 M ha).
 France and Spain are the two countries where CA was being
followed in about one million ha of area under annual crops.

7. Conservation agriculture in India
 The total area under no-tillage/zero tillage in India it is about 3.43 M
ha.
 Efforts to adapt and promote resource conservation technologies
have been underway for nearly a decade.
 Spread of conservation agriculture have been made through the
combined efforts of several SAU’s and ICAR institutes.
 CA technologies is taking place in the irrigated regions of Indo-
Gangetic plains where rice-wheat cropping system dominates.
 CA systems have not been tried or promoted in other major agro-
eco regions like rainfed semi-arid tropics, the arid regions.
Bhan and Behera, 2014

8. Principles and Goals of Conservation Agriculture

10. Goals of Conservation Agriculture
 Achieve acceptable profits
 Alleviating hunger
 High and sustained production levels
 Contributing to food security
 Reduce input and labor cost
 Environmental objectives (such as carbon sequestration and climate change)

11. Benefits of Conservation Agriculture

12. Problems associated with conventional agriculture
Excessive soil tillage Increased erosion Residue burning
Erratic rainfall distribution Delayed planting High labour/energy requirement

13. Why Conservation Agriculture..?
Conventional agriculture
Conservation agriculture

14. • The role of no or minimum mechanical soil disturbance in CA system
• The role and management of soil mulch and cover crops in CA system
• The role of crop diversification and cropping system management in CA system
• The status of mechanization in CA system
• Integration of crop-livestock in CA system
• Management of vegetable in CA system
• Managing perennial plants in CA system
• Managing topography in CA system
Recent advances in conservation agriculture

15. The role of no or minimum mechanical soil disturbance in CA system
No tillage or zero tillage: Residue
cover is maintained 100 per cent
Reduced tillage: Residue cover is
maintained up to 30 per cent
Mulch tillage: Covering of surface layer of
soil with different mulches.

16. Case study-1:- Effect of different tillage and residue management practices on crop and water productivity and
economics in maize (Zea mays) based rotations
Table-1:- Crop productivity as affected by different tillage and residue management practices under maize-wheat (MW)
and maize-chickpea (MC) rotations in western Indo-Gangetic Plan
Treatment
Maize grain yield
(t ha-1)
Wheat grain yield
(t ha-1)
Chickpea grain yield
(t ha-1)
2012 2013 2012-13 2013-14 2012-13 2013-14
Permanent raised beds with residue 4.85 5.57 4.41 4.71 2.01 2.24
Permanent raised beds without residue 4.23 5.26 4.11 4.34 1.83 2.07
Zero tilled flat beds with residue 5.09 5.89 4.30 4.53 2.13 2.46
Zero tilled flat beds without residue 4.55 5.46 4.08 4.21 1.88 2.17
Conventional tilled flat beds with residue 4.65 5.24 4.17 4.24 1.80 1.93
Conventional tilled flat beds without residue 4.16 4.74 3.61 3.70 1.74 1.75
Location:- Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar Parihar et. al., 2019

17. Case study-2:- Conservation tillage effects on soil physical properties, organic carbon concentration and
productivity of soybean-wheat cropping system
Treatments
SOC (g kg-1)
0-5 cm depth Infiltration rate (cm hr-1)
Grain Yield (kg ha-1)
Soybean Wheat
Tillage practices
No tillage 8.6 9.23 1109 2754
Reduced tillage 7.9 4.67 1120 2773
Mould board tillage 7.4 7.20 1116 2766
Conventional tillage 6.5 1.37 1146 2778
Location:- Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal Hati et. al., 2014

18. The role and management of soil mulch and cover crops in CA system
Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service

19. Residue cover/Cover crops
 Reduce surface runoff and control
erosion
 Add organic matter and improves
soil structure and tilth
 Legume fix atmospheric nitrogen
 Help to control weeds
 Increase soil productivity

20. Case study-3:- Effect of cover crop on soil physical and chemical properties of an alfisol in the Sudan
savannah of Burkina faso
Table-3:- Effect of preceding cover crop on clay content, organic carbon (C) and carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N)
in the 0.05 m depth
Preceding cover crops Clay (%) Organic C (%) C/N ratio
Zea mays 17.6 0.23 5.5
Vigna unguiculata 14.1 0.35 0.4
Bare fallow 19.5 0.21 5.2
Cajanus cajan 20.1 0.32 7.9
Digitaria ciliaris 15.6 0.49 10.6
Macroptilium
artropupureum
15.6 0.57 10.7
Lablab perpureus 13.4 0.47 10.2
P< 0.05 0.01 0.01
Location:- Sudan savannah of Burkina Faso N.R. Hulugalle, 2009

21. Case study-4:- Water storage, runoff and evaporation from field plots at Jodhpur.
From 10 May to 27 October 2009
Treatment
Storage
(mm)
Runoff
(mm)
Evaporation
(mm)
Evaporative loss
(%)
Straw @ 2.2 t ha-1, Normal subtillage 30 26 265 83
Straw @ 4.5 t ha-1, Normal subtillage 29 10 282 88
Straw @ 4.5 t ha-1, Extra loose subtillage 54 5 262 82
Straw @ 9.0 t ha-1, Normal subtillage 87 Trace 234 73
Straw @ 17.9 t ha-1, No tillage 139 0 182 57
Straw @ 4.5 t ha-1, Disked 27 28 266 83
No straw, Disked 7 60 254 79
Contour basin listing 34 0 287 89
Note: Based on precipitation, which was 321 mm for the period
Location:- Jodhpur Singh et. al., 2010

22. The role of crop diversification and cropping system management in CA system
Higher diversity in crop production
Reduced risk of pest and weed
infestation
Better distribution exploration of water
and nutrients in soil profile
Increased nitrogen fixation through
legumes and improved balance of N/P/K
from both organic and mineral sources
Increased humus formation
Based on the situations, farmers can
adopt intercropping and mixed cropping

23. Case study-5:-Improvement of soil health and system productivity through crop diversification and residue incorporation under jute-
based different cropping systems
Table-5:-Soil physio-chemical properties influenced by different cropping systems, nutrient and crop residue management practices
Cropping System pH BD (Mg/m3 ) SOC
(g/kg)
Av N (mg/kg) Av P (mg/kg) Av K (mg/kg)
Cropping system (CS)
Fallow−Rice−Rice 7.11 1.47 6.94 109.7 22.5 83.8
Jute−Rice−Wheat 7.13 1.46 6.57 108.5 18.9 88.1
Jute−Rice−Baby corn 7.16 1.49 6.48 103.8 16.4 99.3
Jute−Rice−Vegetable pea 7.11 1.43 7.37 111.4 25.1 101.6
Jute−Rice−Mustard−Mungbean 7.07 1.55 7.27 111.4 22.7 104.5
SEm (±) 0.06 0.04 0.23 6.10 2.18 5.26
CD NS 0.10 0.55 NS 5.03 12.35
Nutrients and crop residue management practices (NCRM)
75% of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)
without crop residue
7.07 1.52 6.65 103.2 20.1 92.2
75% RDF with crop residue 7.13 1.46 6.90 110.6 21.3 95.1
100% RDF without crop residue 7.15 1.51 6.84 106.4 20.9 94.8
100% RDF with crop residue 7.11 1.43 7.32 115.7 22.4 99.8
SEm (±) 0.06 0.03 0.22 3.02 0.77 2.53
CD NS 0.08 0.50 6.16 1.56 6.50
CS X NCRM NS NS NS NS NS NS
Location:- Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF), Barrackpore Kumar et. al., 2021

24. The status of mechanization in CA system
Direct planting Permanent raised beds

25. Double Disc drill Happy seeder
Punch planter Rotary disc drill
Different types of drills for seeding into loose residue

26. Case study-6:- Development of tillage machinery for conservation agriculture in Bangladesh
Table-6:- Comparison of yield and yield parameter of bed system and conventional system
Parameter
Wheat Mungbean Maize
Bed
system
Conventional
system
Bed
system
Conventional
system
Bed
system
Conventional
system
Seed rate kg ha-1 100 120 30 35 20 20
Depth of seed placement
mm
30-40 20-60 20-30 20-30 30-40 30-40
Plant population m-2 231 305 30 50 7 9
Yield t ha-1 4.7 3.8 0.6 0.4-0.5 8.0 6.0
Increase of yield over
conventional system %
24 33 33
Location:- Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Nashipur Roy et. al., 2009

27. Managing topography in CA system
Contour farming: Farming with row patterns
around the hill.
Terracing: It is an agricultural practice that
suggests rearranging farmlands or turning hills
into terraces.
Strip cropping: Used when a slope is too
steep or too long.
Waterways: Natural drainage ways that are
converted into channels that are planted with
grass.

28. Case study-7:- Effect of slope gradient and plant growth on soil loss on reconstructed steep slopes
Table-7:- Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) predicted and measured soil loss values (Mg/ha)
for all test plot treatments
Slope gradient
Coversoil thickness
0 cm 15 cm 30 cm 45 cm
RUSLE Predicted Soil Loss
25% 0.20 1.23 1.23 1.23
33% 0.27 1.61 1.61 1.61
40% 0.31 1.86 1.86 1.86
50% 0.38 2.24 2.24 2.24
Measured Soil Loss
25% 0.40 0.87 3.40 1.64
33% 0.36 12.61 21.75 11.42
40% 0.60 31.99 59.02 36.11
50% 0.31 13.33 33.60 34.67
Location:- Barretts Minerals Treasure Mine, Dillon, Montana Kapolka et. al., 2001

29. Integration of crop-livestock in CA system

31. Case study-8:- Integrated farming system for improving livelihood of small farmers of western plain zone
of Uttar Pradesh, India
Table-8:- Productivity and Profitability of Different Components in Integrated Farming System (2004-2010)
Components
of IFS
Total cost of
production
(Rs)
Gross return
(Rs)
Net return
(Rs)
Benefit
cost ratio
Additional employment generation
(Man days ha-1 year-1)
Crops 49,801 1,24,236 74,435 2.50 189
Dairy 76,859 1,63,888 87,029 2.10 315
Horticulture 7139 17,402 10,263 2.44 100
Fishery 8901 13,848 4947 1.56 42
Apiary 5820 10,024 4204 1.73 38
Total IFS 1,93,574 3,29,400 1,35,826 1.71 684
Location:- Project Directorate on farming system Research Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh Singh et. al., 2012

32. Managing perennial plants in conservation agriculture system
 Growing of perennial plants under CA systems make
maximum use of the land and increase land-use
efficiency.
 The productivity of the land can be enhanced as the
trees provide forage, firewood and other organic
materials that are recycled and used as natural
fertilizers.
 Increased the yields of crops and also plants.
 Protect and stabilize ecosystems and promote
resilient cropping and farming systems to minimize
the risk during extreme climatic events.

33. Case study-9:-Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and soil properties as influenced by different agri-
silviculture systems of Northern India
Table-9:- Wheat yield and soil nutrient status under fast growing tree species planted at different spacings
Tree spp. Spacing (m2)
Yield (q ha-1) Soil nutrients (kg ha-1)
Grain Straw Available N Available P2O5 Available K2O
Populus
deltoides
(Poplar)
3.0×1.0 21.36 37.15 182.46 15.99 158.76
3.0×1.5 24.68 37.00 180.69 12.28 155.01
3.0×2.0 30.02 45.03 190.52 17.25 162.94
3.0×2.5 32.92 47.74 175.66 11.42 153.60
Eucalyptus
camaeldulensis
3.0×1.0 20.00 34.89 157.68 10.56 153.92
3.0×1.5 20.87 33.60 159.39 11.86 148.06
3.0×2.0 23.00 35.65 168.62 11.97 156.61
3.0×2.5 19.66 29.29 161.42 13.83 139.01
Leucaena
leucocephala
3.0×1.0 23.16 33.34 177.76 14.26 153.55
3.0×1.5 26.16 30.28 179.18 14.60 163.71
3.0×2.0 24.50 41.17 200.42 18.67 169.12
3.0×2.5 27.83 40.60 180.49 14.65 148.61
Melia azedarach
(Chinaberry tree)
3.0×1.0 20.33 37.99 164.88 13.67 153.04
3.0×1.5 19.16 41.33 154.97 12.85 161.42
3.0×2.0 27.44 36.75 168.26 16.14 163.34
3.0×2.5 28.00 40.35 163.22 9.46 147.44
Location:- Agroforestry Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar Sarvade et. al., 2014

34. Future Prospectives
Promoting sustainable agriculture
Preserving environment and natural resources Preserving biodiversity
Increasing soil carbon storage

35. Constraints in adoption of Conservation Agriculture
• Difficult to change the mentality of farmers towards
adopting no-till farming.
• Lack of appropriate seeders especially for small and
medium scale farmers.
• The wide spread use of crop residues for livestock feed
and fuel.
• Burning of crop residues.
• Compaction can be a problem in initial stage of
conservation agriculture.
• Lack of knowledge about the potential of CA to agriculture
leaders, extension agents and farmers.
• Skilled and scientific manpower.

36. Conclusion
CA known to improve physical, chemical and biological
properties of soil.
Nutrient, water, energy, labor and time saving was observed with
high efficiency.
Ecological balance is attained with sustained yield and returns.
CA is specific to site, crop and environmental conditions.

37. Thank You…!!!