*CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*

*for sustainable production intensification*

Dear Subscribers,

Here is the Cornell Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - April 2015

Apologies for cross-posting.

*Amir Kassam *

*Moderator*

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Hobbs <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 5:14 PM
Subject: Cornell Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - April 2015
To: Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: Lucy Hill Fisher <[log in to unmask]>


 Below is our April CA newsletter. Click on the title to link to the web
site. Can you send out to people on your list serve? Thanks Peter


http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg


 For more information on CA go to the Cornell CA web site at
http://conservationagriculture.mannlib.cornell.edu/




     [image: Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - April 2015]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
  Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - April 2015
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
by Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
  Powered by [image: Scoop.it]
<http://www.scoop.it/?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
Where is the limit? lessons learned from long-term conservation agriculture
research in Zimuto Communal Area, Zimbabwe
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041568680/2015/04/16/where-is-the-limit-lessons-learned-from-long-term-conservation-agriculture-research-in-zimuto-communal-area-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From link.springer.com
<http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12571-014-0404-y?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg#>
- April 16, 11:43 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041568680/2015/04/16/where-is-the-limit-lessons-learned-from-long-term-conservation-agriculture-research-in-zimuto-communal-area-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Thierfelder, C., M. Mutenje, A. Mujeyi, W. Mupangwa. 2015. Where is the
limit? lessons learned from long-term conservation agriculture research in
Zimuto Communal Area, Zimbabwe. Food Security. 7:15-31.
doi:10.1007/s12571-014-0404-y

This paper presents results of long-term on-farm trials in Zimbabwe to
explain the reasons for dwindling maize yields and test the feasibility of
CA under low fertility and erratic rainfall. Systems based on animal
traction more than doubled maize and improved legume yields with CA. Water
infiltration and soil carbon also improved with CA. CA systems were also
more economically viable. Weeds were highlighted as problems by farmers.
Results are promising even in areas with low soil fertility and risk of
drought. However, the adoption of CA was low amongst members of the rural
farming community due to the perceived risk of crop failure, lack of
appropriate and accessible inputs and markets for farm produce, and lack of
appropriate information and knowledge about alternative agricultural
methods.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041568680/2015/04/16/where-is-the-limit-lessons-learned-from-long-term-conservation-agriculture-research-in-zimuto-communal-area-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041568680/2015/04/16/where-is-the-limit-lessons-learned-from-long-term-conservation-agriculture-research-in-zimuto-communal-area-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041568680?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041568680?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041568680?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041568680&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    Effects of tillage and time of sowing on bread wheat, chickpea, barley
and lentil grown in rotation in rainfed systems in Syria
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567775/2015/04/16/effects-of-tillage-and-time-of-sowing-on-bread-wheat-chickpea-barley-and-lentil-grown-in-rotation-in-rainfed-systems-in-syria?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From proxy.library.cornell.edu
<http://proxy.library.cornell.edu/login?url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378429015000027&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 16, 11:36 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567775/2015/04/16/effects-of-tillage-and-time-of-sowing-on-bread-wheat-chickpea-barley-and-lentil-grown-in-rotation-in-rainfed-systems-in-syria?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Piggin, Colin, Atef Haddad, Yaseen Khalil, Stephen Loss, Mustafa Pala.
2015. Effects of tillage and time of sowing on bread wheat, chickpea,
barely and lentil grown in rotation in rainfed systems in Syria. Field
Crops Research. 173: 57-67. doi:/10.1016/j.fcr.2014.12.014.

This paper looks at dryland areas of West Asia where soil erosion and
degradation limit yields. The data is from long-term field experiments
under rainfed conditions at ICARDA and compares conventional tillage with
zero-tillage (ZT) in combination with early and late planting of various
dryland crops.Results were variable with tillage and date of planting
showing no differences in some years but improved yields for ZT and early
planting in others. The increased grain yields achieved in this study, in
combination with lower costs and greater profits, suggest ZT plus early
sowing should be evaluated and promoted more widely as an attractive
cropping technology for farmers in the Middle East.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567775/2015/04/16/effects-of-tillage-and-time-of-sowing-on-bread-wheat-chickpea-barley-and-lentil-grown-in-rotation-in-rainfed-systems-in-syria?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567775/2015/04/16/effects-of-tillage-and-time-of-sowing-on-bread-wheat-chickpea-barley-and-lentil-grown-in-rotation-in-rainfed-systems-in-syria?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041567775?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041567775?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041567775?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041567775&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    Abandonment of conservation agriculture by smallholder farmers in
Zimbabwe
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041566695/2015/04/16/abandonment-of-conservation-agriculture-by-smallholder-farmers-in-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From www.ccsenet.org
<http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jsd/article/view/41600/24223?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 16, 11:25 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041566695/2015/04/16/abandonment-of-conservation-agriculture-by-smallholder-farmers-in-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Pedzisa, T., L. Rugube, A. Winter-Nelson, K. Baylis, and K. Mazvimavi.
2015. Abandonment of conservation agriculture by smallholder farmers in
Zimbabwe. Journal of Sustainable Development. 8: 69-82.
doi:10.5539/jsd.v8n1p69

The analysis uses four rounds of a balanced panel from a survey aimed at
monitoring CA adoption among farmers who participated in CA promotion
projects. Findings indicate that a large share of farmers who had adopted
CA during the period of active promotion eventually abandoned the practice
in the absence of support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Households with more farming experience, bigger household sizes and a
greater number of cultivated plots were less likely to stop using CA. In
turn, wealthy households and farmers in the drier areas were more likely to
stop using CA. The finding that persistent adoption is more prevalent among
the poor, supports claims that CA is a pro-poor technology. The paper
suggests that improved support institutions are necessary to ensure that
farmers continue to use CA as a productivity-boosting and sustainable
farming method.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041566695/2015/04/16/abandonment-of-conservation-agriculture-by-smallholder-farmers-in-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041566695/2015/04/16/abandonment-of-conservation-agriculture-by-smallholder-farmers-in-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041566695?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041566695?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041566695?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041566695&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    Weed community responses to rotations with cover crops in maize-based
conservation agriculture systems of Zimbabwe
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567515/2015/04/16/weed-community-responses-to-rotations-with-cover-crops-in-maize-based-conservation-agriculture-systems-of-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From www.sciencedirect.com
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219414003627?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 16, 11:15 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567515/2015/04/16/weed-community-responses-to-rotations-with-cover-crops-in-maize-based-conservation-agriculture-systems-of-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Mhlanga, Blessing, Stephanie Cheesman, Barbara Maasdorp, Tarirai Muoni,
Stanford Mabasa, Eunice Mangosho, and Christian Thierfelder. 2015. Weed
community responses to rotations with cover crops in maize-based
consevation agriculture systems of Zimbabwe. Crop Protection.69: 1-8. doi:
/10.1016/j.cropro.2014.11.010.

Weed management is a challenge in smallholder agricultural production in
SSA. However, when weeds are controlled by herbicides or rotations under
CA, weed shifts occur and need to be addressed. The paper studies the
effect of rotations on weed shifts. The results suggest that rotations with
cover crops such as velvet bean may reduce weed numbers and dominance of
problematic weeds over time. This can potentially lead to a less intense
weeding schedule, which is more cost effective and affordable for
smallholder farmers.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567515/2015/04/16/weed-community-responses-to-rotations-with-cover-crops-in-maize-based-conservation-agriculture-systems-of-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567515/2015/04/16/weed-community-responses-to-rotations-with-cover-crops-in-maize-based-conservation-agriculture-systems-of-zimbabwe?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041567515?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041567515?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041567515?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041567515&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    What should agriculture copy from natural ecosystems?
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041562762/2015/04/16/what-should-agriculture-copy-from-natural-ecosystems?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From www.sciencedirect.com
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211912414000601?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 16, 9:59 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041562762/2015/04/16/what-should-agriculture-copy-from-natural-ecosystems?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Denison, R.F., A.M. McGuire. 2015. What should agriculture copy from
natural ecosystems? Global Food Security. 4: 30-36.
doi:10.1016/j.gfs.2014.12.002

Natural ecosystems persist without synthetic inputs. Would mimicking the
organization of natural ecosystems enhance the productivity, year-to-year
stability, or long-term sustainability of agriculture? The paper argues
that natural-ecosystem organization (diversity, spatial patterns, etc.) is
not necessarily superior to that in well-designed agricultural ecosystems,
especially by criteria relevant to agriculture. Furthermore, agriculture׳s
constraints (exporting protein to cities, challenges in managing mixtures)
would limit mimicry even of any hypothetical natural ecosystems with
superior organization.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041562762/2015/04/16/what-should-agriculture-copy-from-natural-ecosystems?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041562762/2015/04/16/what-should-agriculture-copy-from-natural-ecosystems?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041562762?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041562762?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041562762?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041562762&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    Options for increasing the productivity of the rice–wheat system of
north west India while reducing groundwater depletion. Part 2. Is
conservation agriculture the answer?
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041371599/2015/04/14/options-for-increasing-the-productivity-of-the-rice-wheat-system-of-north-west-india-while-reducing-groundwater-depletion-part-2-is-conservation-agriculture-the-answer?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From www.sciencedirect.com
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378429014003566?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 14, 11:25 AM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041371599/2015/04/14/options-for-increasing-the-productivity-of-the-rice-wheat-system-of-north-west-india-while-reducing-groundwater-depletion-part-2-is-conservation-agriculture-the-answer?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Singh, Balwinder, E. Humphreys, D.S. Gaydon, Sudhir Yadav. 2015.Options
for increasing the productivity of the rice–wheat system of north west
India while reducing groundwater depletion. Part 2. Is conservation
agriculture the answer? Field Crops Research. 173: 81-94. doi:
10.1016/j.fcr.2014.11.019


The irrigated rice–wheat system of north west India is not sustainable, as
currently practiced, due to over-exploitation of groundwater, soil
degradation, labor scarcity, high fuel and labor costs, and air pollution
from stubble burning. Labor and water scarcity are driving farmers to
change from puddling and manual transplanting of rice to mechanized dry
seeding.This paper looks at the introduction of dry seeded rice to the R-W
system and using CA. The authors used the APSIM cropping system model to
examine whether conversion from recommended farmer practice (rFP,
comprising puddled transplanted rice, alternate wetting and drying rice
water management, rice straw removal, tillage for wheat) to a CA rice–wheat
system would reduce evapotranspiration and improve water use efficiency in
Punjab, north west India.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041371599/2015/04/14/options-for-increasing-the-productivity-of-the-rice-wheat-system-of-north-west-india-while-reducing-groundwater-depletion-part-2-is-conservation-agriculture-the-answer?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041371599/2015/04/14/options-for-increasing-the-productivity-of-the-rice-wheat-system-of-north-west-india-while-reducing-groundwater-depletion-part-2-is-conservation-agriculture-the-answer?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041371599?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041371599?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041371599?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041371599&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
     Bacterial community structure in maize residue amended soil with
contrasting management practices
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567808/2015/04/16/bacterial-community-structure-in-maize-residue-amended-soil-with-contrasting-management-practices?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From www.sciencedirect.com
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139315000116?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg#>
- April 16, 11:39 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567808/2015/04/16/bacterial-community-structure-in-maize-residue-amended-soil-with-contrasting-management-practices?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Ramirez-Villanueva, Daniel A., Juan Manuel Bello-López, Yendi E.
Navarro-Noya, Marco Luna-Guido, Nele Verhulst, Bram Govaerts, and Luc
Dendooven. 2015. Bacterial community structure in maize residue amended
soil with contrasting management practices. Applied Soil Ecology.90: 49-59.
doi:/10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.01.010.

An interesting paper that looks at the affect agricultural practices --
flat and bed planting, with tillage and without (CA) on soil bacterial
populations. Soil from these four treatments was amended in the laboratory
with maize residue (Zea mays L.) or its neutral detergent fibre (NDF)
fraction, mostly consisting of (hemi) cellulose, and incubated aerobically
for 14 days. It was found that application of organic material favored the
same bacterial groups that were more abundant in the soil cultivated
conventionally while it reduced those that were favored in conservation
agriculture.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567808/2015/04/16/bacterial-community-structure-in-maize-residue-amended-soil-with-contrasting-management-practices?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041567808/2015/04/16/bacterial-community-structure-in-maize-residue-amended-soil-with-contrasting-management-practices?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041567808?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041567808?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041567808?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041567808&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    Earthworms in a 15 years agricultural trial
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041566768/2015/04/16/earthworms-in-a-15-years-agricultural-trial?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From www.sciencedirect.com
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139314003473?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 16, 11:32 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041566768/2015/04/16/earthworms-in-a-15-years-agricultural-trial?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Pelosi, Céline, Michel Bertrand, Jodie Thénard, and Christian Mougin.
2015. Earthworms in a 15 years agriculture trail. Applied Soil Ecology. 88:
1-8. doi:/10.1016/j.apsoil.2014.12.004.

This study looks at the effect of alternative cropping systems on soil
biodiversity -- in this case earthworms, indicators of soil health. It
compares conventional, organic and CA based systems and samples earthworm
incidence in a wheat crop in France. While earthworm abundance and biomass
increased slightly in the conventional system between the two periods, they
at least tripled in the other two systems but earthworm species differed in
the organic and CA systems. After at least 14 years, organic and living
mulch cropping systems contained between 1.5 and 2.3 times more earthworms
than the conventional system.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041566768/2015/04/16/earthworms-in-a-15-years-agricultural-trial?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041566768/2015/04/16/earthworms-in-a-15-years-agricultural-trial?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041566768?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041566768?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041566768?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041566768&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    Least limiting water range for two conservation agriculture cropping
systems in India
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041568483/2015/04/16/least-limiting-water-range-for-two-conservation-agriculture-cropping-systems-in-india?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From proxy.library.cornell.edu
<http://proxy.library.cornell.edu/login?url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198715000124&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 16, 11:21 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041568483/2015/04/16/least-limiting-water-range-for-two-conservation-agriculture-cropping-systems-in-india?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Mishra, Amit Kumar, Pramila Aggarwal, Ranjan Bhattacharyya, , T.K. Das,
A.R. Sharma, and Ravender Singh. 2015. Least limiting water range for two
conservation agriculture cropping systems in India. Soil and Tillage
Research. 150: 43-56. doi:/10.1016/j.still.2015.01.003.


The authors suggest deterioration of soil physical properties is a major
reason for loss of productivity of rice-wheat and cotton-wheat in India.
They compared conventional rice-wheat with direct seeded rice - ZT wheat
systems on beds and flat. Overall, among the treatments, permanent beds +
Residue and Direct seeded rice + brownmanuring (use of a GM Sesbania crop)
+ ZT Wheat were the best management practices for improved soil physical
environment under cotton–wheat and rice–wheat systems, respectively, and
therefore could be recommended.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041568483/2015/04/16/least-limiting-water-range-for-two-conservation-agriculture-cropping-systems-in-india?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041568483/2015/04/16/least-limiting-water-range-for-two-conservation-agriculture-cropping-systems-in-india?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041568483?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041568483?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041568483?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041568483&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    Conservation agriculture based tillage and crop establishment options
can maintain farmers’ yields and increase profits in South Asia's
rice–maize systems: Evidence from Bangladesh
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041564381/2015/04/16/conservation-agriculture-based-tillage-and-crop-establishment-options-can-maintain-farmers-yields-and-increase-profits-in-south-asia-s-rice-maize-systems-evidence-from-bangladesh?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From www.sciencedirect.com
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378429014003360?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 16, 10:21 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041564381/2015/04/16/conservation-agriculture-based-tillage-and-crop-establishment-options-can-maintain-farmers-yields-and-increase-profits-in-south-asia-s-rice-maize-systems-evidence-from-bangladesh?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Gathala, Mahesh, K., Jagadish Timsina, Md. Saiful Islam, Md. Mahbubur
Rahman, Md. Israil Hossain, Harun Ar Rashid, Anup K Ghosh, Timothy J
Krupnik, Thakur P. Tiwari, and Andrew McDonald. 2015. Conservation
agriculture based tillage and crop establishment options can maintain
farmers' yields and increase profits in South Asia's rice-maize systems:
Evidence from Bangladesh. Field Crops Research. 172: 85-92.
doi:/10.1016/j.fcr.2014.12.003

Compares rice-maize and rice-rice systems in Bangladesh since maize is more
profitable as the poultry industry grows. The objective of this study was
to evaluate the productivity and profitability of R–M systems under
CA-based tillage and crop establishment options across a gradient of 69
farmers’ fields in Northwest Bangladesh. They evaluated four tillage and
crop establishment options: reduced tillage; strip tillage; fresh beds; and
permanent beds. Conventional-tilled (puddled) transplanted rice on flat
followed by conventional-tilled maize on flat was included as a current
practice. They conclude that both rice and maize planted sequentially on
permanent beds and strip tillage can result in higher net income and
benefit-cost ratio compared to conventional tillage practice.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041564381/2015/04/16/conservation-agriculture-based-tillage-and-crop-establishment-options-can-maintain-farmers-yields-and-increase-profits-in-south-asia-s-rice-maize-systems-evidence-from-bangladesh?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041564381/2015/04/16/conservation-agriculture-based-tillage-and-crop-establishment-options-can-maintain-farmers-yields-and-increase-profits-in-south-asia-s-rice-maize-systems-evidence-from-bangladesh?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041564381?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041564381?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041564381?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041564381&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    No ordinary matter: Conserving, restoring and enhancing Africa's soils
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041565525/2015/04/16/no-ordinary-matter-conserving-restoring-and-enhancing-africa-s-soils?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041565525/2015/04/16/no-ordinary-matter-conserving-restoring-and-enhancing-africa-s-soils?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From ag4impact.org
<http://ag4impact.org/publications/no-ordinary-matter-conserving-restoring-and-enhancing-africas-soils-2014/?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- April 16, 9:55 PM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041565525/2015/04/16/no-ordinary-matter-conserving-restoring-and-enhancing-africa-s-soils?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Glatzel, Katrin, Gordon Conway, Emily Alpert, and Stephanie Brittain.
2014. No ordinary matter: Conserving, restoring and enhancing Africa's
soils. Agriculture for Impact.


Soils are the essence of life, sustaining humans, plants and animals from
present and future generations. The contribution of soil to alleviating
many of today’s pressing challenges, however, is overlooked.This report
highlights what is needed to manage soils responsibly in Africa.
Responsible soil management will ultimately help agricultural systems
better adapt and build resilience to climate change while minimizing GHG
emissions and restoring lost carbon to the soil.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041565525/2015/04/16/no-ordinary-matter-conserving-restoring-and-enhancing-africa-s-soils?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
   *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*
<http://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>'s
insight:
   [Subscription only]
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4041565525/2015/04/16/no-ordinary-matter-conserving-restoring-and-enhancing-africa-s-soils?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4041565525?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4041565525?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4041565525?forceAnonymous=1&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4041565525&_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
    Impacts of conservation agriculture-based farming systems on optimizing
seasonal rainfall partitioning and productivity on vertisols in the
Ethiopian drylands
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4039005112/2015/03/12/impacts-of-conservation-agriculture-based-farming-systems-on-optimizing-seasonal-rainfall-partitioning-and-productivity-on-vertisols-in-the-ethiopian-drylands?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
From www.sciencedirect.com
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198714002645?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
- March 12, 11:34 AM
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4039005112/2015/03/12/impacts-of-conservation-agriculture-based-farming-systems-on-optimizing-seasonal-rainfall-partitioning-and-productivity-on-vertisols-in-the-ethiopian-drylands?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>
 Araya,Tesfay, Jan Nyssen, Bram Govaerts, Jozef Deckers, and Wim M.
Cornelis. 2015. Impacts of conservation agriculture-based farming systems
on optimizing seasonal rainfall partitioning and productivity on vertisols
in the Ethiopian drylands. Soil and Tillage Research.148: 1-13. doi:
10.1016/j.still.2014.11.009 Field water conservation practices are a way to
build resilience against drought by increasing productive green water
through reducing runoff and evaporation and thereby boosting crop
yield.This study was managed on rainfed plots to compare CA systems with
conventional in terms of soil moisture, runoff, water loss (drainage and
evapotranspiration together), water productivity and crop yield. The paper
concludes that field water conservation tillage practices that incorporate
CA principles are effectively increasing green water in the root zone
available for crops and thus, improve crop productivity and yields
substantially on vertisols in drylands without other inputs.
<http://www.scoop.it/t/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4039005112/2015/03/12/impacts-of-conservation-agriculture-based-farming-systems-on-optimizing-seasonal-rainfall-partitioning-and-productivity-on-vertisols-in-the-ethiopian-drylands?_tmc=R0OJ-chugT9K1-41ejch8yN2N0hr2m0Ieqynmp31adg>

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