*Global CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE* *for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management* Dear Subscribers, Please see herebelow the December CA Newsletter from Cornell. Thank you Professor Hobbs for sharing. Apologies for any cross-posting. *Amir Kassam * *Moderator* *Global CA-CoP* e-mail: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.fao.org/conservation-agriculture ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Peter Hobbs <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2020 at 16:30 Subject: December Cornell CA newsletter To: Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]> Dear Amir: Here is our December 2020 Conservation Agriculture Scoopit Research Update. Can you send this out to people who get your list serve material? The hard copy is below. Many thanks for helping to distribute this. Peter You can also view online at https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?curate=true&null where there is a complete list of selected papers An easier link to see all the research papers on CA is as follows: https://www.zotero.org/groups/348525/cornell_conservation_agriculture/collections/KGBFX8BX Also, visit our main website at http://soilhealth.org for news and other CA information. [image: Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - December 2020] <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag> Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - December 2020 <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag> by Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org) <https://www.scoop.it/u/conservation-ag> Powered by [image: Scoop.it] <https://www.scoop.it> Chapter 20. Toward inclusive responsibility. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001562/2020/11/30/chapter-20-toward-inclusive-responsibility> From www.sciencedirect.com <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128164105000207> - Today, 3:33 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001562/2020/11/30/chapter-20-toward-inclusive-responsibility> Kassam, A. & Kassam, L. 2021. In. Kassam, A. & Kassam, L. (Eds). Rethinking Food and Agriculture. Woodhead Publishing <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001562/2020/11/30/chapter-20-toward-inclusive-responsibility> http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128164105000207 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This is the last chapter in this newly published book Scooped in last December 15th newsletter. It summarizes 6 key themes from previous chapters looking at sustainable and responsible agricultural food systems. Inclusive responsibility reflects a move toward an alternative ethical framework based on the core values of inclusion, interdependence, pluralism, justice, equity, and care, and encompasses the six covered themes. Inclusive responsibility can be integrated and applied at every level of the food and agriculture system, from local to global, from production to consumption, and from individual to community and society. The chapter concludes by offering a possible vision for an inclusively responsible food and agriculture system built on the agriculture paradigm of “Conservation Agriculture-Based Veganic Agroecology.” <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001562/2020/11/30/chapter-20-toward-inclusive-responsibility> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122001562?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122001562?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122001562?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122001562> Shifts in microbial and physicochemical parameters associated with increasing soil quality in a tropical Ultisol under high seasonal variation. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001517/2020/11/30/shifts-in-microbial-and-physicochemical-parameters-associated-with-increasing-soil-quality-in-a-tropical-ultisol-under-high-seasonal-variation> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198720306012?via%3Dihub&key=83b2427fda22f2f869f08b65a580c3f97fbc5d16> - Today, 3:07 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001517/2020/11/30/shifts-in-microbial-and-physicochemical-parameters-associated-with-increasing-soil-quality-in-a-tropical-ultisol-under-high-seasonal-variation> Lopes, L.D., Junior, R.C.F., Pacheco, E.P. & Fernandes, M.F. 2021. Soil and Tillage Research. 206. Article number 104819. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001517/2020/11/30/shifts-in-microbial-and-physicochemical-parameters-associated-with-increasing-soil-quality-in-a-tropical-ultisol-under-high-seasonal-variation> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104819 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: The objective of this study was to assess the changes in soil physicochemical and microbiological parameters between four different agricultural practices from a 7-year experiment using two seasons with contrasting soil water content. They compared conventional tillage with maize (CTM); no-till with maize (NTM); no-till with maize and soybean rotated (NTM/S); no-till with annual rotation of maize intercropped with Brachiaria rhuziziensis and soybean monoculture (NTMB/S) compared to a long-term fallow (>40 years secondary forest) in both winter (rainy) and summer (dry) seasons. In sum, they show that the benefits of conservation agriculture for soil quality in this region were most obvious in the summer and depended on the agricultural practices, with NTMB/S showing the greatest conservation of soil physicochemical quality. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001517/2020/11/30/shifts-in-microbial-and-physicochemical-parameters-associated-with-increasing-soil-quality-in-a-tropical-ultisol-under-high-seasonal-variation> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122001517?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122001517?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122001517?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122001517> Tryout and (Dis)adoption of conservation agriculture. Evidence from Western Madagascar <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122002357/2020/11/30/tryout-and-dis-adoption-of-conservation-agriculture-evidence-from-western-madagascar> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837719311317?via%3Dihub&key=1f9ad92e21c47f689554c0debe02bdc08a2230e1> - Today, 2:36 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122002357/2020/11/30/tryout-and-dis-adoption-of-conservation-agriculture-evidence-from-western-madagascar> Razafimahatratra, H.M., Bignebat, C., David-Benz, H., Belieres, J.F. & Penot, E. 2021. Land Use Policy. 100. Article number 104929. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122002357/2020/11/30/tryout-and-dis-adoption-of-conservation-agriculture-evidence-from-western-madagascar> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104929 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: The aim of this study was to assess factors influencing experimenting and dis-adopting of CA using qualitative and econometric analysis in Madagascar. They showed a high (56%) tryout rate followed by a 80% dis-adoption rate. They conclude that monetary poverty (financial capital) and agricultural work (social capital) decrease the likelihood farmers will tryout CA. But the longer farmers receive CA technical support the less likely they dis-adopt CA. They suggest that in order for farmers to use CA to combat soil degradation it is important to tailor CA technology to the diversity of farms, plus innovations need to be supported for a longer period. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122002357/2020/11/30/tryout-and-dis-adoption-of-conservation-agriculture-evidence-from-western-madagascar> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122002357?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122002357?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122002357?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122002357> Gendered constraints for adopting climate-smart agriculture amongst smallholder Ethiopian women farmers. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977606/2020/11/28/gendered-constraints-for-adopting-climate-smart-agriculture-amongst-smallholder-ethiopian-women-farmers> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619308117?via%3Dihub&key=957facc1913fd12631bfcd43aa66c78748488a7c> - November 28, 7:42 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977606/2020/11/28/gendered-constraints-for-adopting-climate-smart-agriculture-amongst-smallholder-ethiopian-women-farmers> Tsige, M., Synnevag, G. & Aune, J.B. 2020. Scientific African. 7. Article number e00250. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977606/2020/11/28/gendered-constraints-for-adopting-climate-smart-agriculture-amongst-smallholder-ethiopian-women-farmers> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00250 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: Climate smart agriculture can offer economic and food security for women farmers but uptake of these technologies are limited by gendered constraints. This study uses 344 women and men survey respondents involved in conservation agriculture (CA) and small-scale irrigation schemes (SSIS) as data sources for examining the effect of gendered constraints for adopting climate-smart agriculture amongst women in three areas in Ethiopia. The findings show that women smallholders uptake is affected by limited access to credit, extension, restricted membership in cooperatives and water user associations, lack of access or user rights to land, skill training, information, and restricted mobility. Expanding off-farm diversification and rural employment opportunities through changing the land tenure system, which is currently state-owned, are essential to enhance women smallholders’ access to land and other agricultural inputs. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977606/2020/11/28/gendered-constraints-for-adopting-climate-smart-agriculture-amongst-smallholder-ethiopian-women-farmers> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121977606?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121977606?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121977606?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121977606> Forage and maize yields in mixed crop-livestock farming systems: Enhancing forage and maize yields in mixed crop-livestock systems under conservation agriculture in sub-humid Zimbabwe <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121979478/2020/11/28/forage-and-maize-yields-in-mixed-crop-livestock-farming-systems-enhancing-forage-and-maize-yields-in-mixed-crop-livestock-systems-under-conservation-agriculture-in-sub-humid-zimbabwe> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1573521418301301?via%3Dihub&key=6e70eaac45016a5e7a12955b276b3bfdd522089b> - November 28, 7:17 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121979478/2020/11/28/forage-and-maize-yields-in-mixed-crop-livestock-farming-systems-enhancing-forage-and-maize-yields-in-mixed-crop-livestock-systems-under-conservation-agriculture-in-sub-humid-zimbabwe> Mutsamba, E.F., Nyagumbo, I. & Mupangwa, W. 2020. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences. 92. Article number 100317. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121979478/2020/11/28/forage-and-maize-yields-in-mixed-crop-livestock-farming-systems-enhancing-forage-and-maize-yields-in-mixed-crop-livestock-systems-under-conservation-agriculture-in-sub-humid-zimbabwe> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2019.100317 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: In mixed crop-livestock farming systems, smallholder farmers face the challenge of insufficient dry season livestock feed whilst crop production is mainly constrained by poor soil fertility and erratic rains. This study evaluated the effects of maize-legume cropping systems on forage, maize grain yield and gross margins. The cropping systems involved one conventional tillage practice with continuous sole maize (CT), four CA treatments consisting of continuous sole maize, maize-mucuna intercrop, maize-cowpea intercrop and maize-groundnut/soybean rotations. The experiment was replicated on eight farmers’ fields with each farmer treated as a replicate. Maize-mucuna intercropping was the best of the tested cropping systems with respect to forage yield and gross margin. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121979478/2020/11/28/forage-and-maize-yields-in-mixed-crop-livestock-farming-systems-enhancing-forage-and-maize-yields-in-mixed-crop-livestock-systems-under-conservation-agriculture-in-sub-humid-zimbabwe> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121979478?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121979478?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121979478?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121979478> No-till Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture - Challenges and Opportunities. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978542/2020/11/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustainable-agriculture-challenges-and-opportunities> From www.springer.com <https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030464080> - November 28, 6:45 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978542/2020/11/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustainable-agriculture-challenges-and-opportunities> Dang, Y.P., Dalal, R.C. & Menzies, N. (Eds). 2020. ISBN 978-3-030-46408-0 Springer, Switzerland. 647 pages. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978542/2020/11/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustainable-agriculture-challenges-and-opportunities> https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030464080 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: The adoption of NT systems has increased at an exponential rate since the 1990s and they are now used on 12.5% of global croplands. However, while the development of NT systems has seen much success, there can be significant agronomic, economic and/or social challenges associated with their use that limit large scale worldwide adoption. In addition, where NT is not implemented as part of an integrated system that incorporates stubble retention and appropriate crop rotations to help manage weeds, diseases, pests and soil fertility, decreases in yield can be observed. This book covers opportunities and challenges in tailoring of NT farming systems according to individual locations and the introduction of flexibility in approach to manage some of the challenges of NT farming systems. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978542/2020/11/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustainable-agriculture-challenges-and-opportunities> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121978542?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121978542?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121978542?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121978542> The Effect of Conservation Agriculture and Environmental Factors on CO2 Emissions in a Rainfed Crop Rotation. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978505/2020/11/28/the-effect-of-conservation-agriculture-and-environmental-factors-on-co2-emissions-in-a-rainfed-crop-rotation> From www.mdpi.com <https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/14/3955> - November 28, 5:30 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978505/2020/11/28/the-effect-of-conservation-agriculture-and-environmental-factors-on-co2-emissions-in-a-rainfed-crop-rotation> Carbonell-Bojollo, R., Veroz-Gonzalez, O., Ordonez-Fernandez, R., Moreno-Garcia, M., Basch, G., Kassam, A., Repullo-Ruiberriz de Torres, M.A. & Gonzalez-Sanchez, E.J. 2019. Sustainability. 11, 3955. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978505/2020/11/28/the-effect-of-conservation-agriculture-and-environmental-factors-on-co2-emissions-in-a-rainfed-crop-rotation> https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143955 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This study looks at the influence of SOM, soil temperature and moisture, crop stage, weather and residue management on the emissions of C02 in Spain for CA and CT rainfed systems. The study concludes that total C02 emission values of the different plots of the study for soils under the conventional system (tillage) emitted 67% more than soils under the conservation agriculture system during the 2010/11 campaign and 25% for the last campaign where the most appreciable differences are observed. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978505/2020/11/28/the-effect-of-conservation-agriculture-and-environmental-factors-on-co2-emissions-in-a-rainfed-crop-rotation> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121978505?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121978505?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121978505?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121978505> Can productivity and profitability be enhanced in intensively managed cereal systems while reducing the environmental footprint of production? Assessing sustainable intensification options in the b... <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978449/2020/11/28/can-productivity-and-profitability-be-enhanced-in-intensively-managed-cereal-systems-while-reducing-the-environmental-footprint-of-production-assessing-sustainable-intensification-options-in-the-b> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880917304528?via%3Dihub&key=081d58cb212b788e9f0633199c6c887794a58d10> - November 28, 4:02 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978449/2020/11/28/can-productivity-and-profitability-be-enhanced-in-intensively-managed-cereal-systems-while-reducing-the-environmental-footprint-of-production-assessing-sustainable-intensification-options-in-the-b> Kumar, V., Jat, H.S., Sharma, P.C., Balwinder-Singh, Gathala, M.K., Malik, R.K., Kamboj, B.R., Yadav, A.K., Ladha, J.K., Raman, A., Sharma, D.K. & McDonald, A. 2018. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 252. 132-147. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978449/2020/11/28/can-productivity-and-profitability-be-enhanced-in-intensively-managed-cereal-systems-while-reducing-the-environmental-footprint-of-production-assessing-sustainable-intensification-options-in-the-b> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2017.10.006 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This 5-year study looked at rice-wheat in NW India. The goal was to identify management options for further improving productivity and profitability and reducing environmental externalities by drawing on the principles of diversification, precision management, and conservation agriculture. There were four systems. 1. Business as usual transplanted rice followed by tilled wheat; 2. TP rice fb ZT wheat and ZT mungbean; 3. ZT for all 3 crops including ZTDS rice; ZT for a maize-wheat-mungbean system. Results showed that compared to business as usual, the other 3 systems were more productive. These latter 3 systems were more productive and profitable while using less water, energy, labor and lower global warming potential. They conclude these SI entry points need to be placed in the context of the major drivers of change in the region, including market conditions, risks, and declining labor availability, and matching with the needs and interests of different types of farmers. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978449/2020/11/28/can-productivity-and-profitability-be-enhanced-in-intensively-managed-cereal-systems-while-reducing-the-environmental-footprint-of-production-assessing-sustainable-intensification-options-in-the-b> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121978449?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121978449?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121978449?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121978449> Improving smallholder farmers’ gross margins and labor-use efficiency across a range of cropping systems in the Eastern Gangetic Plains. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122003234/2020/11/30/improving-smallholder-farmers-gross-margins-and-labor-use-efficiency-across-a-range-of-cropping-systems-in-the-eastern-gangetic-plains> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X20303934?via%3Dihub&key=2a34817b2509d28707daf289ef4e33fcb6c34b3f> - Today, 3:22 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122003234/2020/11/30/improving-smallholder-farmers-gross-margins-and-labor-use-efficiency-across-a-range-of-cropping-systems-in-the-eastern-gangetic-plains> Gathala, M.K., Laing, A.M., Tiwari, T.P., Timsina, J., Rola-Rubzen, F., Islam, S., Maharjan, S., Brown, P.R., Das, K.K., Pradhan, K. etal., 2021. World Development. 138. Article number 105266. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122003234/2020/11/30/improving-smallholder-farmers-gross-margins-and-labor-use-efficiency-across-a-range-of-cropping-systems-in-the-eastern-gangetic-plains> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105266 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This study used on-farm participatory trials to compare the performance of traditional versus conservation agriculture-based sustainable intensification management practices in terms of labor, production costs and gross margins to smallholder farmers. Trials were conducted on 400+ farms representing a range of crop management across the Eastern Gangetic Plains. Overall, conservation agriculture-based practices reduced both labor use and production costs by around 40% and increased gross margins by up to 25% compared to conventional practices. This is important for labor constrained smallholder cropping systems in this region. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122003234/2020/11/30/improving-smallholder-farmers-gross-margins-and-labor-use-efficiency-across-a-range-of-cropping-systems-in-the-eastern-gangetic-plains> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122003234?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122003234?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122003234?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122003234> Adapting yet not adopting? Conservation agriculture in Central Malawi <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122003165/2020/11/30/adapting-yet-not-adopting-conservation-agriculture-in-central-malawi> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880920304102?via%3Dihub&key=8998336d78e997d58db4210cee26dac1a54ee11a> - Today, 2:55 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122003165/2020/11/30/adapting-yet-not-adopting-conservation-agriculture-in-central-malawi> Bouwman, T.I., Andersson, J.A. & Giller, K.E. 2021. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 307. Article number 107224. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122003165/2020/11/30/adapting-yet-not-adopting-conservation-agriculture-in-central-malawi> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107224 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This study, in Central Malawi considered to have a relatively high uptake of CA, uses analyses of satellite images, field observations, interviews with farmers, extension workers and other people involved in CA promotion, as well as a household survey, to investigate how CA has been adapted. They found that continuous minimum tillage (no ridging), ground cover and crop rotation/intercropping were not practiced as intended. One-third of non-ridged land was tilled during the growing season, and half was again ridged in the following season. Unless crop residues were added, the soil’s surface of non-ridged plots was usually bare at planting, causing weed control problems, and an increased risk of erosion. Most farmers added large volumes of crop residues to their non-ridged plots. They collected these from the surrounding fields, but this practice severely restricted the size of these plots. Crop rotation/intercropping was practiced less when farmers stopped ridging. Very few farmers practiced all three CA principles simultaneously. CA promotion appeared to only increase yields on plots where mulch was added. What was not discussed were suggestions for alternate ways than CA to address the issue of soil degradation -- nutrient mining, erosion and compaction. Also, in this area where ridging is common, CA can be applied to these beds by keeping the beds permanent (just reforming each season) and applying residue available in-situ or from other sources on top of the beds. The last sentence of this paper also suggested growing groundnuts. This is unlikely to address issues of land degradation but would be a important as an intercrop with maize on permanent beds. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122003165/2020/11/30/adapting-yet-not-adopting-conservation-agriculture-in-central-malawi> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122003165?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122003165?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122003165?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122003165> Influence of tillage based crop establishment and residue management practices on soil quality indices and yield sustainability in rice-wheat cropping system of Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001428/2020/11/30/influence-of-tillage-based-crop-establishment-and-residue-management-practices-on-soil-quality-indices-and-yield-sustainability-in-rice-wheat-cropping-system-of-eastern-indo-gangetic-plains> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198720306231?via%3Dihub&key=c2116904c59d781d2b084203cac90da3d540a876> - Today, 2:17 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001428/2020/11/30/influence-of-tillage-based-crop-establishment-and-residue-management-practices-on-soil-quality-indices-and-yield-sustainability-in-rice-wheat-cropping-system-of-eastern-indo-gangetic-plains> Saurabh, K., Rao, K.K., Mishra, J.S., Kumar, R., Poonia, S.P., Samal, S.K., Roy, H.S., Dubey, A.K., Choubey, A.K., Mondal, S., Bhatt, B.P., Verma, M. & Malik, R.K. 2021. Soil and Tillage Research. 206. Article number 104841. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001428/2020/11/30/influence-of-tillage-based-crop-establishment-and-residue-management-practices-on-soil-quality-indices-and-yield-sustainability-in-rice-wheat-cropping-system-of-eastern-indo-gangetic-plains> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104841 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This study looked at best management practices involving tillage and residue management to obtain improved soil health for the important rice-wheat cropping system of South Asia. Their soil quality index was based on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. They looked at conventional practices with transplanted rice followed by broadcast, tilled wheat versus zero-tilled, direct seeded rice followed by ZT wheat. The highest rice equivalent yield of 12.41 t ha-1 was observed at SQI values of 0.90 at 0-10 cm and 0.86 at 10-20 cm in the ZTDSR fb ZT wheat. They conclude that crop residue retention on the surface with zero tillage is beneficial for the sustainability and productivity of the RWCS in EIGP of India. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122001428/2020/11/30/influence-of-tillage-based-crop-establishment-and-residue-management-practices-on-soil-quality-indices-and-yield-sustainability-in-rice-wheat-cropping-system-of-eastern-indo-gangetic-plains> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122001428?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122001428?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122001428?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122001428> Occasional tillage in no-tillage systems: A global meta-analysis <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978558/2020/11/28/occasional-tillage-in-no-tillage-systems-a-global-meta-analysis> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720344168?via%3Dihub&key=9211359ac73b6ecdfe21d4b6a288834afa5d83ef> - November 28, 7:28 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978558/2020/11/28/occasional-tillage-in-no-tillage-systems-a-global-meta-analysis> Peixoto, D.S., Silva, L.M., Azevedo, R.P., Araujo, B.C., Carvalho, T.S., Moreira, S.G., Curi, N. & Silva, B.M. 2020. Science of the Total Environment. 745. Article number 140887. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978558/2020/11/28/occasional-tillage-in-no-tillage-systems-a-global-meta-analysis> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140887 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: Challenges that have arisen with the adoption of NT include soil compaction, weed management, and stratification of organic matter and nutrients. As an attempt to overcome these challenges, occasional tillage (OT) has been used as a soil management practice in NT systems. The objectives of this meta-analysis were: 1) to summarize the effects of OT on crop productivity, soil physical, chemical and biological properties, soil erosion and weed control; 2) to discuss the main aspects of NT management to optimize the use of OT; 3) to point out shortcomings in the diagnosis of soil compaction in NT systems, which may lead to erroneous decision-making processes regarding the use of OT. They conclude that proper NT implementation and management, with the correct application of NT principles, will overcome problems associated with NT. As soil compaction is the main justification for the use of OT, methods of diagnosis and monitoring of soil compaction should be improved to assist in decision-making. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978558/2020/11/28/occasional-tillage-in-no-tillage-systems-a-global-meta-analysis> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121978558?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121978558?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121978558?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121978558> Soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a Vertisol following 50 years of no-tillage, crop stubble retention and nitrogen fertilization. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977581/2020/11/28/soil-carbon-and-nitrogen-dynamics-in-a-vertisol-following-50-years-of-no-tillage-crop-stubble-retention-and-nitrogen-fertilization> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016706119303246?via%3Dihub&key=cf40d84c8057a7fb3f54597ce5962a9aff170b1f> - November 28, 6:58 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977581/2020/11/28/soil-carbon-and-nitrogen-dynamics-in-a-vertisol-following-50-years-of-no-tillage-crop-stubble-retention-and-nitrogen-fertilization> Jha, P., Hati, K.M., Dalal, R.C., Dang, Y.P., Kopittke, P.M. & Menzies, N.W. 2020. Geoderma. 358. Article number 113996. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977581/2020/11/28/soil-carbon-and-nitrogen-dynamics-in-a-vertisol-following-50-years-of-no-tillage-crop-stubble-retention-and-nitrogen-fertilization> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.113996 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This study compares CT with NT with stubble burning and stubble retention and N fertilization on soil carbon and fractions and N. After 50 years, the tillage regime, addition of N and stubble management were all important in influencing carbon pools in the 0.1m depth with N and the tillage regime the most important. But stubble management was important with retention increasing total nitrogen content, stabilizing the C fraction, and increasing the microbial biomass. They conclude the importance of stubble retention and N fertilization in conservation agriculture clearly shows improvement in soil health and maintenance of soil C levels. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977581/2020/11/28/soil-carbon-and-nitrogen-dynamics-in-a-vertisol-following-50-years-of-no-tillage-crop-stubble-retention-and-nitrogen-fertilization> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121977581?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121977581?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121977581?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121977581> Is Tillage a Suitable Option for Weed Management in Conservation Agriculture? <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978540/2020/11/28/is-tillage-a-suitable-option-for-weed-management-in-conservation-agriculture> From www.mdpi.com <https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/11/1746> - November 28, 6:34 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978540/2020/11/28/is-tillage-a-suitable-option-for-weed-management-in-conservation-agriculture> Cordeau, S., Baudron, A. & Adeux, G. 2020. Agronomy. 10 (11) 1746. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978540/2020/11/28/is-tillage-a-suitable-option-for-weed-management-in-conservation-agriculture> https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111746 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This study compared three types of fallow management (ploughing (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no-till with glyphosate (NT)) on four fields after 17 years of no-plough, which ended with 7 years of CA. Weed density and species richness before weeding was greatest in RT, intermediate in CT and lowest in NT. They conclude that potential benefits of occasional ploughing will depend on the density and composition of the newly upwelled weed seedbank, which will need to be assessed before implementing tillage. From a multicriteria perspective, the long-term benefits associated with CA could largely exceed short-term yield increases associated with occasional tillage. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121978540/2020/11/28/is-tillage-a-suitable-option-for-weed-management-in-conservation-agriculture> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121978540?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121978540?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121978540?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121978540> Hire services as a business enterprise: A training manual for small-scale mechanization service providers | Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977529/2020/11/28/hire-services-as-a-business-enterprise-a-training-manual-for-small-scale-mechanization-service-providers-sustainable-agricultural-mechanization> From www.fao.org <http://www.fao.org/sustainable-agricultural-mechanization/resources/publications/details/en/c/1145335/> - November 28, 5:13 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977529/2020/11/28/hire-services-as-a-business-enterprise-a-training-manual-for-small-scale-mechanization-service-providers-sustainable-agricultural-mechanization> Sims, B., Kahan, D., Mpagalile, J., Hilmi, M. & Santos Valle, S. 2018. FAO and CIMMYT. ISBN 978-92-5-130513-3 142 pages. Available at: <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977529/2020/11/28/hire-services-as-a-business-enterprise-a-training-manual-for-small-scale-mechanization-service-providers-sustainable-agricultural-mechanization> http://www.fao.org/3/I9207EN/i9207en.pdf *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This FAO training manual is relevant to country level trainers with material covering the basic principles of the use and management of mechanization for smallholder farmers. It is also relevant and useful for training service providers, local entrepreneurs that assist farmers in experimentation and adoption of CA. This manual is designed to provide hire service providers – whether already in the business or intending to start their own hire service business – with skills and competencies in both the technical and the management aspects of the small-scale mechanization business. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4121977529/2020/11/28/hire-services-as-a-business-enterprise-a-training-manual-for-small-scale-mechanization-service-providers-sustainable-agricultural-mechanization> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4121977529?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4121977529?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4121977529?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4121977529> ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the CA-Cop-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(CA-Cop-L,SIGNOFF);