Conservation Agriculture introduction Principles of conservation Agriculture Advantages of C.A . Tools And Technologies Involved In Conservation Agriculture

1. Conservation Agriculture
Conservation Agriculture (C.A) is an approach to managing agro
ecosystems for improved and sustained productivity ,increased profits
and food security While preserving and enhancing the resource base
and the environment.
Principles of conservation Agriculture
• Continuous minimum mechanical soil disturbance
• Permanent organic soil cover
• Diversification of crop species grown in sequence or associations

2. 1. Continuous minimum mechanical soil disturbance
This can be achieved by direct seeding or planting the crop seeds so that there is minimum disturbance to soil
structure occur.
Direct seeding involves growing crops without mechanical seedbed preparation and with
minimal soil disturbance since the harvest of the previous crop. The term direct seeding is understood in CA
systems as synonymous with no-till farming, zero tillage, no-tillage, direct drilling, etc. Planting refers to the
precise placing of large seeds (maize and beans for example); whereas seeding usually refers to a continuous
flow of seed as in the case of small cereals (wheat and barley for example). The equipment penetrates the soil
cover, opens a seeding slot and places the seed into that slot. The size of the seed slot and the associated
movement of soil are to be kept at the absolute minimum possible. Ideally the seed slot is completely covered
by mulch again after seeding and no loose soil should be visible on the surface.
Minimum soil disturbance is one of the pillars on which
Conservation Agriculture rests. ... In addition, soil
compaction phenomena decrease due to the reduction of
agricultural works. Biodiversity also improves when
systems on which mechanical disturbance of soil is
reduced are used.

3. 2. Crop Rotation
Different crops root at different soil depths, they are
capable of exploring different soil layers for nutrients.
Nutrients that have been leached to deeper layers and
that are no longer available for the commercial crop, can
be recycled by the crops in rotation. This way the
rotation crops function as biological pumps.
Furthermore, a diversity of crops in rotation leads to a diverse soil flora and
fauna, as the roots excrete different organic substances that attract different types of
bacteria and fungi, which in turn, play an important role in the transformation of these
substances into plant available nutrients. Crop rotation also has an important phyto sanitary
function as it prevents the carryover of cropspecific pests and diseases from one crop to the
next via crop residues.

4. 3. Permanent soil cover
A permanent soil cover is important to: protect the soil
against the deleterious effects of exposure to rain and
sun; to provide the micro and macro organisms in the
soil with a constant supply of "food"; and alter the
microclimate in the soil for optimal growth and
development of soil organisms, including plant roots.
It is important to protect the soil against the deleterious effects of exposure to rain and
sun
To provide the micro and macro organism in the soil with a constant supply of food
After the microclimate in the soil for optimal growth and development of soil organisms

5. Advantages of soil cover
Improved infiltration and retention of soil moisture resulting in increased
availability of plant nutrients.
Source of food and habitat for diverse soil life: creation of channels for air
and water, biological tillage and substrate for biological activity through the
recycling of organic matter and plant nutrients.
Increased humus formation.
Reduction of impact of rain drops on soil surface.
Reduction of runoff and erosion.
Soil regeneration is higher.

6. Tools And Technologies Involved In Conservation Agriculture
1. Planting stick or hand hoe
2. Manual direct seeding
3. Animal traction and single-axle tractor drawn planters
4. Direct seeding with tractors
Direct seeding:-
Direct seeding can be done with various equipments such as:-

7. 1. Planting stick or hand hoe :-
Direct seeding is practised in a lot of places in the tropical
world, although the terminology is not used as such.
2.Manual direct seeder or hand jab planter
In order to speed up the process of planting, hand jab planters
have been developed. It is a hand-held tool that allows the
farmer to plant from a standing position and faster than with
other hand tools. The tool comprises two long levers joined
with a hinge to form a V with a pointed tip. The metal pointed
tip is pushed into the soil. By closing the levers the tip is
opened to release the seed and fertiliser into the soil. At the
same time new seed and fertilizer is charged into the metering
mechanism. The planter is pushed into the soil at every step,
allowing a regular spacing.

8. Disadvantages of Manual direct seeding
The wooden levers are sometimes too weak and easily damaged by
powerful farmers.
The planting beak becomes clogged with soil, especially in moist clayey
soils.
Note:-
There are two types of jab planters: with broad tip and with narrow
pointed tip. The former type is used on prepared land, for example when the planting line is
ripped. The second one with the narrow pointed tips is designed for manual no-till planting
and thus more recommended for conservation agriculture.

9. 3. Animal traction and single-axle tractor drawn planters
Direct seeding implements for animal traction and
single-axle-tractors have been designed to manage
residues on the soil surface and at the same time to
place the seeds and possibly fertilizer in the soil.
 Direct seeders have following working elements:
A disc to cut through the surface mulch and open a slot in the soil.
A furrow opener to place the fertilizer .
Wheels to control the planting depth and eventually press the seed
row.
Press wheels to close the slot

10. 4. Direct seeding equipment for tractors
Hoppers for seed
Row cleaner, if necessary, to remove excess
mulch from the plant row.
Cutting disc to cut through residue cover.
Furrow opener for fertilizer.
Furrow opener for seeds.
Seed press wheel.
Furrow closing wheel (often in combination
with depth control).
Furrow press wheel.

12. Advantages of C.A :-
• Economic- improve production efficiency
• Agronomic- improves soil productivity
• Environmental and social- protect the soil and make agriculture more
sustainable