*Global CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE* *for sustainable agriculture, land and ecosystem management* Dear Subscribers, Please see herebelow the February CA Newsletter from Professor Peter Hobbs at Cornell University. 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: Mon, 1 Feb 2021 at 16:42 Subject: February Scoopit CA newsletter To: Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]> Dear Amir: Here is our February 2021 Conservation Agriculture Scoopit Research Update. You can also view online at https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?curate=true&null Can you send this out to people who get your listserv material? The hard copy is below. 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. Please use this link since we had to move our web site to a new server and this links takes you to the CA web site. Many thanks for helping to distribute this. Peter [image: Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - February 2021] <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag> Conservation Agriculture Research Updates - February 2021 <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> Expansion of no-tillage practice in conservation agriculture in Brazil. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122951356/2021/01/29/expansion-of-no-tillage-practice-in-conservation-agriculture-in-brazil> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198720306590?via%3Dihub&key=3ba080756dfdbbf06c257656fe4fa5f64b202834> - Today, 11:57 AM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122951356/2021/01/29/expansion-of-no-tillage-practice-in-conservation-agriculture-in-brazil> Fuentes-Llanillo, R., Telles, T.S., Junior, D.S., Melo, T.R., Friedrich, T. & Kassam, A. 2021. Soil and Tillage Research. 208. Article number 104877. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122951356/2021/01/29/expansion-of-no-tillage-practice-in-conservation-agriculture-in-brazil> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104877 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: Official data on the adoption of CA occurred in Brazil in the 2006 and 2017 agricultural census that provided primary data that made possible an analysis of the dynamics of the adoption of NT practice within the development of CA systems in this country. Expansion of the NT practice throughout the country was strongly associated with the expansion of soybean-based cropping systems involving crops such as maize, wheat or cotton. NT practice improved soil moisture conditions and generated additional growing period that permitted the incorporation of soybean crop into CA cropping systems where it was not possible before. The paper concludes that the use of NT as a lone practice is no guarantee for sustainability, and technology transfer and adoption efforts are also required to reinforce the application by farmers of the other two ecological principles of CA; permanent soil mulch cover and crop diversification through rotations and/or associations. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122951356/2021/01/29/expansion-of-no-tillage-practice-in-conservation-agriculture-in-brazil> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122951356?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122951356?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122951356?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122951356> No-tillage with mulching improves maize yield in dryland farming through regulating soil temperature, water and nitrate-N. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122949467/2021/01/29/no-tillage-with-mulching-improves-maize-yield-in-dryland-farming-through-regulating-soil-temperature-water-and-nitrate-n> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880920304746?via%3Dihub&key=34f1e60c4bd0abd7b82065a1fdc1a810d6886c6a> - Today, 11:36 AM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122949467/2021/01/29/no-tillage-with-mulching-improves-maize-yield-in-dryland-farming-through-regulating-soil-temperature-water-and-nitrate-n> Dai, Z., Hu, J., Fan, J., Fu, W., Wang, H. & Hao, M. 2021. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 309. Article number 107288. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122949467/2021/01/29/no-tillage-with-mulching-improves-maize-yield-in-dryland-farming-through-regulating-soil-temperature-water-and-nitrate-n> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107288 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This paper uses a long-term continuous maize experiment to understand water and nitrate-N functions under no-tillage with mulching in dryland farming in China. It reports data for a complete year for spring maize plus the fallow period after 15 years of continuous maize. Treatments included conventional tillage (CT), no-tillage (NT), no-tillage with biochar (NB), no-tillage with straw mulching (NS), no-tillage with plastic film mulching (NP), and no-tillage with straw-plastic film mulching (NSP). Average soil profile water content (SWC) and the soil water storage (SWS) of the mulching treatments were higher than the non-mulching at each stage. The study did show that mulching is required with NT and just NT may have lower yields. The plastic mulch was the best treatments in their research. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122949467/2021/01/29/no-tillage-with-mulching-improves-maize-yield-in-dryland-farming-through-regulating-soil-temperature-water-and-nitrate-n> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122949467?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122949467?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122949467?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122949467> Biomass flows in an agro-pastoral village in West-Africa: Who benefits from crop residue mulching? <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122931675/2021/01/28/biomass-flows-in-an-agro-pastoral-village-in-west-africa-who-benefits-from-crop-residue-mulching> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X20308428?via%3Dihub&key=7a1383b03357ab46986ff0a6549c4719d985be84> - January 28, 3:15 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122931675/2021/01/28/biomass-flows-in-an-agro-pastoral-village-in-west-africa-who-benefits-from-crop-residue-mulching> Berre, D., Diarisso, T., Andrieu, N., Page, C. Le, & Corbeels, M. 2021. Agricultural Systems. 187. Article number 102981. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122931675/2021/01/28/biomass-flows-in-an-agro-pastoral-village-in-west-africa-who-benefits-from-crop-residue-mulching> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102981 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This is an interesting paper that looks at the conflicts between private interests and communal use of resources, for example the free grazing of crop residues. The objective was to assess the impacts of crop residue management on crop productivity in Burkina Faso. They use the AMBAWA model to simulate the flows of biomass and nutrients between crop and livestock systems at the village level scale for 4 types of farmers: subsistence-oriented crop farmers, market-oriented crop farmers, agro-pastoralists and pastoralists. The paper presents some interesting conclusions and suggests that the AMBAWA model can support discussion amongst stakeholders in order to co-design effective arrangements and practices for their sustainable use. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122931675/2021/01/28/biomass-flows-in-an-agro-pastoral-village-in-west-africa-who-benefits-from-crop-residue-mulching> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122931675?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122931675?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122931675?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122931675> No-Till Farming Systems for Sustaining Soil Health <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122933423/2021/01/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustaining-soil-health> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122933423/2021/01/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustaining-soil-health> From link.springer.com <https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-46409-7_34> - January 28, 2:44 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122933423/2021/01/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustaining-soil-health> Reicosky D.C. (2020) In: Dang Y., Dalal R., Menzies N. (eds) No-till Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture. Springer, 619-631. Book available at: <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122933423/2021/01/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustaining-soil-health> https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-46409-7_34 Chapter available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46409-7_34 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This is a new book that contains 35 chapters related to NT in various parts of the World. This chapter is the final chapter in the book and explains how future agriculture will have to more food with less land by making more efficient use of natural resources. The author explains how NT plus residue mulch and rotation (CA) improves soil physical, biological and chemical properties in order to regenerate food production. The chapter concludes that the regenerative benefits of minimum soil disturbance, permanent mulch cover, and diversified cropping on yield are best obtained through enhanced C management for climate extreme mitigation and food security. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122933423/2021/01/28/no-till-farming-systems-for-sustaining-soil-health> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122933423?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122933423?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122933423?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122933423> Zero-tillage wheat provides stable yield and economic benefits under diverse growing season climates in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910678/2021/01/27/zero-tillage-wheat-provides-stable-yield-and-economic-benefits-under-diverse-growing-season-climates-in-the-eastern-indo-gangetic-plains> From www.tandfonline.com <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14735903.2020.1794490> - January 27, 2:32 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910678/2021/01/27/zero-tillage-wheat-provides-stable-yield-and-economic-benefits-under-diverse-growing-season-climates-in-the-eastern-indo-gangetic-plains> Keil, A., Mitra, A., McDonald, A. & Malik, R.K. 2020. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. 18 (6) 567-593. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910678/2021/01/27/zero-tillage-wheat-provides-stable-yield-and-economic-benefits-under-diverse-growing-season-climates-in-the-eastern-indo-gangetic-plains> https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2020.1794490 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: The paper uses empirical assessments of the performance stability of ZT wheat after rice in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of India in farmers fields. It used panel datasets from 961 farm households in two favorable and two less favorable growing seasons looking at yields and production costs. ZT resulted in yield gains in 3 out of the 4 years and better in less favorable years. More important was significant cost savings in all 4 years. They conclude that ZT wheat provides tangible and consistent benefits to farmers and policy makers should strongly support its adoption at scale. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910678/2021/01/27/zero-tillage-wheat-provides-stable-yield-and-economic-benefits-under-diverse-growing-season-climates-in-the-eastern-indo-gangetic-plains> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122910678?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122910678?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122910678?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122910678> Production and profitability of crop rotation systems in southern Brazil. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910561/2021/01/27/production-and-profitability-of-crop-rotation-systems-in-southern-brazil> From www.uel.br <http://www.uel.br/revistas/uel/index.php/semagrarias/article/view/38512> - January 27, 1:48 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910561/2021/01/27/production-and-profitability-of-crop-rotation-systems-in-southern-brazil> dos Santos, C.L.B., da Costa, G.V., Volsi, B., Leocadio, A.L.M., Neves, C.S.V.J. & Telles, T.S. 2020. Semina: Ciencias Agrarias. 41 (6) 2541-2554. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910561/2021/01/27/production-and-profitability-of-crop-rotation-systems-in-southern-brazil> https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2020v41n6p2541 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This paper looks specifically at the impact of rotation in CA systems in Brazil. They looked at the profitability of of crop rotation systems with different levels of crop diversification. The treatments included one less diversified crop rotation system (control) with soybean and wheat and four more diversified crop rotation systems (involving three or more species), including soybean, wheat, black oats, maize, canola, barley, blue lupine, white oats, beans, radish, triticale, rye, hairy vetch, and sorghum, under no-tillage conducted during a three-year cycle. The results show that the more diversified crop rotation systems were more profitable. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910561/2021/01/27/production-and-profitability-of-crop-rotation-systems-in-southern-brazil> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122910561?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122910561?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122910561?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122910561> Assessment of soil health parameters and application of the sustainability index to fields under conservation agriculture for 3, 6, and 9 years in India <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911543/2021/01/27/assessment-of-soil-health-parameters-and-application-of-the-sustainability-index-to-fields-under-conservation-agriculture-for-3-6-and-9-years-in-india> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectPrefsTemp?Redirect=https://cell.com/heliyon/retrieve/pii/S240584402032483X?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS240584402032483X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue&key=d6240e98f57d40a85e550e22b439e0f5a4f3ea2b> - January 27, 1:26 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911543/2021/01/27/assessment-of-soil-health-parameters-and-application-of-the-sustainability-index-to-fields-under-conservation-agriculture-for-3-6-and-9-years-in-india> Bhattacharya, P., Maity, P.P., Mowrer, J., Maity, A., Ray, M., Das, S., Chakrabarti, B., Ghosh, T. & Krishnan, P. 2020.Heliyon. 6 (12) e05640. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911543/2021/01/27/assessment-of-soil-health-parameters-and-application-of-the-sustainability-index-to-fields-under-conservation-agriculture-for-3-6-and-9-years-in-india> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05640 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: The paper reports the results of the duration of CA adoption on soil carbon dynamics and system sustainability on farm in 30 villages in Karnal District of India. Soil samples were taken from existing CA and CT farms. Looked at soil physical, chemical and biological properties. The paper concludes that farmers in Karnal district should be encouraged to adopt CA practices as they can increase SOC and move the systems from “sustainable with high input” to “sustainable”. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911543/2021/01/27/assessment-of-soil-health-parameters-and-application-of-the-sustainability-index-to-fields-under-conservation-agriculture-for-3-6-and-9-years-in-india> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122911543?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122911543?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122911543?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122911543> Soil quality indices in a conservation agriculture based rice-mustard cropping system in North-western Indo-Gangetic Plains <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122950324/2021/01/29/soil-quality-indices-in-a-conservation-agriculture-based-rice-mustard-cropping-system-in-north-western-indo-gangetic-plains> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198720306966?via%3Dihub&key=6e712d101c149d0b0c040590fcb264a46cdc90e3> - Today, 11:48 AM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122950324/2021/01/29/soil-quality-indices-in-a-conservation-agriculture-based-rice-mustard-cropping-system-in-north-western-indo-gangetic-plains> Das, S., Bhattacharya, R., Das, T.K., Sharma, A.R., Dwivedi, B.S., Meena, M.C., Dey, A., Biswas, S., Aditya, K., Aggarwal, P., Biswas, A.K. & Chaudhari, S.K. 2021. Soil and Tillage Research. 208. Article number 104914. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122950324/2021/01/29/soil-quality-indices-in-a-conservation-agriculture-based-rice-mustard-cropping-system-in-north-western-indo-gangetic-plains> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104914 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: The specific objective of this study was to develop soil quality indices with key soil physical, chemical and biological indicators under the conservation and conventional tillage practices in a rice–mustard systems in NW India. Eight treatment combinations including tillage and crop establishment, crop residue and cropping system intensification with inclusion of short duration summer mungbean were used. The highest SQI was obtained in the zero till direct seeded rice (ZTDSR) – zero till mustard (ZTM) –ZT summer mungbean (ZTSMB (+R). They conclude that the medium-term CA with triple or double zero tillage with crop residue retention maintains agricultural sustainability under the rice-mustard system and can be recommended to farmers for adoption. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122950324/2021/01/29/soil-quality-indices-in-a-conservation-agriculture-based-rice-mustard-cropping-system-in-north-western-indo-gangetic-plains> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122950324?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122950324?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122950324?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122950324> A nine-year study on the effects of tillage on net annual global warming potential in double rice-cropping systems in Southern China <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122932605/2021/01/28/a-nine-year-study-on-the-effects-of-tillage-on-net-annual-global-warming-potential-in-double-rice-cropping-systems-in-southern-china> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198720305791?via%3Dihub&key=462a69f7ea9e1dc5c6a1b075712a8e0c42cf297d> - January 28, 3:24 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122932605/2021/01/28/a-nine-year-study-on-the-effects-of-tillage-on-net-annual-global-warming-potential-in-double-rice-cropping-systems-in-southern-china> Chen, Z., Zhang, H., Xue, J., Liu, S. & Chen, F. 2021. Soil and Tillage Research. 206. Article number 104797. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122932605/2021/01/28/a-nine-year-study-on-the-effects-of-tillage-on-net-annual-global-warming-potential-in-double-rice-cropping-systems-in-southern-china> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104797 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This paper looked at tillage impacts on net global warming potential (NGWP) soil organic carbon (SOC) change and indirect emissions (IE) on a double rice system in Southern China. Three treatments used in this study were no tillage with residue retention (NT), rotary tillage with residue retention (RT), and plow tillage with residue incorporation (PT). In respect of SOC sequestration, annual mean rates (0–20 cm) were not significantly different between tillage treatments averaging 2.89 MgC ha−1 yr−1 during 2005−2014.Two-year (2013–2014) measurement of GHGs showed NT tended to significantly decrease annual CH4, but increase N2O emissions in the paddy soil. The results suggested GHG mitigation and agricultural economic viability can be achieved by NT practice in double rice cropping systems. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122932605/2021/01/28/a-nine-year-study-on-the-effects-of-tillage-on-net-annual-global-warming-potential-in-double-rice-cropping-systems-in-southern-china> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122932605?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122932605?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122932605?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122932605> Carbon sequestration and selected hydraulic characteristics under conservation agriculture and traditional tillage practices in Malawi <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122931654/2021/01/28/carbon-sequestration-and-selected-hydraulic-characteristics-under-conservation-agriculture-and-traditional-tillage-practices-in-malawi> From www.publish.csiro.au <https://www.publish.csiro.au/sr/SR20007> - January 28, 2:59 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122931654/2021/01/28/carbon-sequestration-and-selected-hydraulic-characteristics-under-conservation-agriculture-and-traditional-tillage-practices-in-malawi> Simwaka, P.L., Tesfamariam, E.H., Ngwira, A.R. & Chirwa, P.W. 2020. Soil Research. 58 (8) 759-769. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122931654/2021/01/28/carbon-sequestration-and-selected-hydraulic-characteristics-under-conservation-agriculture-and-traditional-tillage-practices-in-malawi> https://doi.org/10.1071/SR20007 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This study investigated the effects of CA and CT on soil organic carbon (SOC)and selected hydraulic properties in two contrasting areas in Malawi using on-farm trials. Sole maize with CA and CT plus maize-legume intercropping with CA were used. Soil samples were taken after using CA for 10 years at 6 different depths. At all sites CA improved total SOC, carbon stocks and stable fraction of of particulate organic carbon. They conclude that changing management practices from CT-SM to CA has the potential to improve the soil organic matter and soil hydraulic properties across agro-ecological zones in Malawi. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122931654/2021/01/28/carbon-sequestration-and-selected-hydraulic-characteristics-under-conservation-agriculture-and-traditional-tillage-practices-in-malawi> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122931654?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122931654?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122931654?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122931654> Zero tillage and residue retention impact on soil aggregation and carbon stabilization within aggregates in subtropical India. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911748/2021/01/27/zero-tillage-and-residue-retention-impact-on-soil-aggregation-and-carbon-stabilization-within-aggregates-in-subtropical-india> From linkinghub.elsevier.com <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/articleSelectSinglePerm?Redirect=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198720304311?via%3Dihub&key=e3c8f5448657cf4ed5349b6d291a2403e4044185> - January 27, 2:54 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911748/2021/01/27/zero-tillage-and-residue-retention-impact-on-soil-aggregation-and-carbon-stabilization-within-aggregates-in-subtropical-india> Modak, K., Biswas, D.R., Ghosh, A., Pramanik, P., Das, T.K., Das, S., Kumar, S., Krishnan, P. & Bhattacharya, R. 2020. Soil and Tillage Research. 202. Paper 104649. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911748/2021/01/27/zero-tillage-and-residue-retention-impact-on-soil-aggregation-and-carbon-stabilization-within-aggregates-in-subtropical-india> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104649 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This study examined the impact of different tillage systems on soil organic matter dynamics in wheat based systems on an Inceptisol soil in India over nine years. It compared NT with CT with 4 residue practices none, wheat, soybean and wheat + soybean residue. The results indicated that SOC content increased by ∼48, 42 and 36%, respectively, in WR + SR, SR and WR plots compared with the NR plots in the 0-5 cm soil layer. The SOC content within macroaggregates were ∼30 and 25% higher in the ZT plots than CT in the 0-5 and 5-15 cm soil depths, respectively. The results suggest that ZT management could be adopted for C stabilization within aggregates. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911748/2021/01/27/zero-tillage-and-residue-retention-impact-on-soil-aggregation-and-carbon-stabilization-within-aggregates-in-subtropical-india> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122911748?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122911748?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122911748?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122911748> Designing profitable, resource use efficient and environmentally sound cereal based systems for the Western Indo-Gangetic plains <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911624/2021/01/27/designing-profitable-resource-use-efficient-and-environmentally-sound-cereal-based-systems-for-the-western-indo-gangetic-plains> From www.nature.com <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76035-z> - January 27, 2:02 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911624/2021/01/27/designing-profitable-resource-use-efficient-and-environmentally-sound-cereal-based-systems-for-the-western-indo-gangetic-plains> Jat, H.S., Kumar, V., Datta, A., Choudhary, M., Yadvinder-Singh, Kakraliya, S.K., Poonia, T., McDonald, A.J., Jat, M.L. & Sharma, P.C. 2020. Scientific Reports. 10 (1) Article number 19267. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911624/2021/01/27/designing-profitable-resource-use-efficient-and-environmentally-sound-cereal-based-systems-for-the-western-indo-gangetic-plains> https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-76035-z *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: The RW system of the Western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India has issues of deterioration in soil, water and environment quality coupled with low profitability. This paper looked at crop diversification and CA to address these issues. Compared to prevailing farmers’ practice (FP), results suggest that CA-based rice management increased profitability by 13% and energy use efficiency (EUE) by 21% while reducing irrigation by 19% and global warming potential (GWP) by 28%. Substituting CA-based maize for rice resulted in similar mean profitability gains (16%) and adding mungbean increased productivity, profitability and EUE by 11, 25 and 103% while reducing irrigation water by 64% and GWP by 106% compared to FP. However, adoption of maize-wheat systems are low because of poor market demand. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911624/2021/01/27/designing-profitable-resource-use-efficient-and-environmentally-sound-cereal-based-systems-for-the-western-indo-gangetic-plains> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122911624?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122911624?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122911624?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122911624> Participatory versus traditional agricultural advisory models for training farmers in conservation agriculture: a comparative analysis from Kenya. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911576/2021/01/27/participatory-versus-traditional-agricultural-advisory-models-for-training-farmers-in-conservation-agriculture-a-comparative-analysis-from-kenya> From www.tandfonline.com <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1389224X.2020.1828113> - January 27, 1:37 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911576/2021/01/27/participatory-versus-traditional-agricultural-advisory-models-for-training-farmers-in-conservation-agriculture-a-comparative-analysis-from-kenya> Bourne, M., de Bruyn, L.L. & Prior, J. 2020. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. 22 pages. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911576/2021/01/27/participatory-versus-traditional-agricultural-advisory-models-for-training-farmers-in-conservation-agriculture-a-comparative-analysis-from-kenya> https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2020.1828113 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This paper compared the variation between participatory and traditional agricultural advisory models in training farmers on Conservation Agriculture in Kenya. Data on the assessment criteria used key informant interviews, personal observation and training reports. All advisory models built social networks, enhancing information diffusion, but at different levels. Of the participatory models, Landcare, exhibited greater farmer uptake of Conservation Agriculture and more developed social networks, while the participatory Farmer Field School model performance was similar to the traditional advisory model. Both participatory models were more expensive to deliver than the traditional model. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122911576/2021/01/27/participatory-versus-traditional-agricultural-advisory-models-for-training-farmers-in-conservation-agriculture-a-comparative-analysis-from-kenya> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122911576?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122911576?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122911576?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122911576> Pathways to intensify the utilization of conservation agriculture by African smallholder farmers <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910488/2021/01/27/pathways-to-intensify-the-utilization-of-conservation-agriculture-by-african-smallholder-farmers> From www.cambridge.org <https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/renewable-agriculture-and-food-systems/article/abs/pathways-to-intensify-the-utilization-of-conservation-agriculture-by-african-smallholder-farmers/D1664FA8B8E2FEF7A139237FD85D9000> - January 27, 1:14 PM <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910488/2021/01/27/pathways-to-intensify-the-utilization-of-conservation-agriculture-by-african-smallholder-farmers> Brown, B., Nuberg, I. & Llewellyn, R. 2019. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 34 (6) 558-570. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910488/2021/01/27/pathways-to-intensify-the-utilization-of-conservation-agriculture-by-african-smallholder-farmers> https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170518000108 *Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)*s insight: This paper analyzed in-depth, semi-structured interviews with farmers who implement CA to understand why they do so at limited intensities and what is needed to intensify their CA activities. Most farmers reported substantial yield increases related to input increases but constrained by financial resources. Overall, the intensity of CA use was constrained by physical, financial, human and informational resources. The paper proposes intensification of four principal components of CA over time; strategic tillage, soil protection, crop diversification and input management as opposed to strict packaging of CA practices. This will allow farmers to locally adapt CA to build their own way to complete CA utilization and with less need for subsidization. <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag/p/4122910488/2021/01/27/pathways-to-intensify-the-utilization-of-conservation-agriculture-by-african-smallholder-farmers> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/twitter/4122910488?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/facebook/4122910488?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/share/post/linkedin/4122910488?forceAnonymous=1> <https://www.scoop.it/topic/conservation-agriculture-by-conservation-ag?rescoopPostId=4122910488> <https://drive.google.com/u/0/settings/storage?hl=en&utm_medium=web&utm_source=gmail&utm_campaign=manage_storage> ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the CA-Cop-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(CA-Cop-L,SIGNOFF);