Comparative study of different sowing methods for wheat production

Key words: CA( Conservation agriculture), CT( Conventional tillage), ERI(

Emergence rate index), HS( Happy seeder), C+R( Cultivator+rotavator), ZDT( Zone
disk tiller).

Abstract

Sustainable and resilient cropping systems are required in Pakistan to arrest declining soil
fertility and offset the future negative effects of climate change. CA has been proposed as a
potential system for improving soil quality and providing stable yields from minimum soil
disturbance and surface crop residues retention. However concerns have been raised about the
lack of evidence of the benefits of the CA among farmers. This research was carried out in PARS
in Pakistan to provide more scientific evidence about the effects of CA on ERI, moisture content
and crop yield. Results showed that ERI in a zone disk tiller was 14.11%/day, while ERI in
conventional tillage was 11.8%/day. Moisture content availability was 6.467% more than initial
moisture for ZDT, while the lowest change in moisture was for conventional tillage. Detailed
studies undertaken at working place revealed that CA treatments, especially that using ZDT
increase crop yield. Comparative analysis between CA and conventional tillage trials point to a
lack of adequate mulching (crop residues) which might be the reason for the lower yield. We
conclude that although effect of conventional tillage practices on soil properties was more but
due to seedling at proper depth and effect of crop residue retention on seed emergence
conservation agriculture practices showed the better results.

Introduction:

Pakistan is an agricultural country. Water and arable land are two major resources of
Pakistan. These resources are of prime importance in agriculture for crop production in a better
way. Cotton, rice, sugarcane and wheat are the major crops of our country. Agriculture plays an
important role in our economy development. It imparts 21% of its GDP and employment to 45%
of its labor force. 25% of total area of Pakistan is cultivated. At time of independence its part in
GDP was 53% which is now 21.2%. In this way it imparts a dynamic role in economy to reduce
poverty, increase industrialization and hence to increase economic growth. Around us cultivated
area in our country has raised to 22.4 million hectares (Farooq, 2012).

Among all these crops wheat is the main crop of concern for agriculture sector. Although
cotton and sugarcane are the major contributors of economy of Pakistan but wheat and rice are as
important as they provide 60% of food (Anonymous, 2012). Wheat is the staple food of Pakistani
people. It not only provides the food for people but its chef is used after cutting for animal feed.
Hence it not only provides food for human beings but also for animals. Its importance is
mentioned as it contributes 12.6% of value added products and 2.6% of GDP. It is always the
main concern of agriculture policies of government of Pakistan. During 2011-12 season the
cultivated area for wheat was 2.6% less than the previously year sown area of 2010-11. Similarly
the growth was 4.2% less than 2010-11 in 2011-12 (Farooq, 2012).

Energy shortage, inflation and food crises are the three major problems which are stood
in front of Pakistan government since previous few years. As mentioned above the importance of
agriculture sector in the economy of Pakistan, this sector contributes a major part in the export of
country. To get more and more participation we have to increase the crop production per unit
area which is far less than the developed countries. To meet the challenges of the modern
technologies and to meet increasing population of the country, according to an estimate which
will touch the figure of 198.2 million by the year 2021 (NIPS, 2001), there is need to develop
new technologies in the country and to eliminate the conventional technologies which are of
centuries before.

Normal approach of the farmers in Pakistan is that the tillage practices improve the soil
fertility level which has proved wrong. As over tillage practices not only cause the removal of
fertile soil layer through drainage but also by rainfall (splash erosion). During last several years
several many efforts are made to enhance the crop yield per unit area and cropping intensities.
But unfortunately the efforts have no significant impact on traditional practices. Traditional
practices are done as before these efforts (Azhar, 1992). To illustrate the effects of extensive
tillage practices the major losses are shown in the diagram (Hobbs, 2007).

Soil organic matter not only provides nutrients to crops but is also essential for
sustainability of soil structure. Along with extensive tillage operations, one more important
practice played in our country is the burning of crop residue in fields which is hazardous for
microbes present in soil. These microbes play an important part in crop development. These
microorganisms also cause tillage operation in soil known as biological tillage. Tillage
operations and burning of crop residue cease this biological tillage and ends bacteria which are
useful for soil properties as nitrogen fixation bacteria’s.

So the concept of zero tillage was modified to conservation agriculture (> 30% crop
residue retention) which is not only attached with zero tillage technology but also concern with
crop residue retention (Kienzler et al., 2012).

In this study three different treatments were applied in research fields so that a
comparison was made between conventional and conservation agriculture practices.

Material and Method:

Study area:

The study was carried out on site where comprehensive study were possible. It was located in
PARS, Faisalabad, Pakistan(north:3123.923’’,east:7301.921’’,183m). This site was especially
chosen because CA was promoted their earlier.

Pakistan is divided into ten major agroecological zones based on total annual rainfall received in
a bimodal pattern between july-september and December-march. Site was lies in zone IV.

The site was touches the two extremes of temperature: maximum temperature 48 degree and
minimum temperature4.1 degree . The soil of the site was predominantly medium to moderately
coarse with favorable permeability characteristics and show similarity throughout the area. The
site area was relatively flat, with land surface gradient ranging from about 0.25m/km in the
North and North-East to less than 0.2m/km to south and south-west.

Experimental Design:

At site study was conducted on experiment fields. The main crop in Faisalabad was wheat. We
report only wheat results from 2013 to 2014 in this paper. Site area (98*487) ft² was divided into
three blocks. First block had three plots, second had six while third block had nine plots. There
were total 18 plots and each plot were of equal size. We selected the three treatments on site for
the study

1. Conventional treatment plot consisting of cultivator and rotavator planted with continuous
wheat. Residues were removed from site and used for animal grazing. Remaining stubbles are
incorporated during preparation of soil.
2. Conservation agriculture with no tillage continuous wheat sown and crop residues 39% with
ZDT. Crop residues of the previous crop were remain as surface residues.

3. Conservation agriculture with no tillage continuous wheat sown and crop residues 31% with
Happy seeder.

Crop management at the site was according to fertilizer requirement, plant population and weed
control techniques. Crop was planted in mid November. Weed control in CA treatment, only
followed by manual weeding with the hoe when necessary. In the conventional technique the
weed control was performed using the plough and mechanical cultivators or hand hoes.

The plant population was higher in ZDT case, this method minimizes intercrop gap and wheat
was planted with 230mm row spacing in line. The crop was fertilized with the NPK according to
rates recommended in the area.

Moisture content measurement:

Oven dry method was used to measure soil moisture. The percentage moisture content was
measure in layers (0-10cm, 10-20cm, 20-30cm, 30-40cm). Initial and final moisture content was
recorded. Data were collected from November 2013 until March 2014.

Emergence rate index:

It was calculated during the early time of emergence. In each treatment of 1m² three readings
were taken and continue to take reading until the ERI became constant. It was calculated as
follows

ERI= Plants emerged in a day/plants emerged by days after planting

Harvest procedures and analysis:

Crop was harvested at physiological maturity. Cobs and above biomass were collected at random
from each treatment. Samples were weight in the field and some taken to determine grain
moisture content and grain yield was calculated on a per acre basis. Treatments were compared
in scatter plots to evaluate the relative benefits against the conventional practice.

Statistical analysis:

Statistical analyses were carried out using RCBD. Design PROG GLM (General linear mode)
(S&T,1984). ERI, moisture content and crop yield data were tested for normality and subjected
to analyses of variance (ANOVA). Where the F-test was significant, a least significant difference
(LSD) test was used at p< equal to 0.05.

Results

Crop Yield:
The statistically analyzed results showed that the wheat yield was significantly different for all
treatments (fig.1). Wheat yield was significantly greater for ZDT as compared to HS and C+R.
this is certainly due to the greater plant height and population density in ZDT respect to HS and
C+R. The maximum wheat yield was measure for treatment ZDT. Yield with the CA was 9%
higher than conventional tillage. Therefore it can be concluded that conservation treatment could
be used to get higher wheat yield.

50
45
40
35
30
production 25 production h
20 production c
15 production z
10
5
0
50 100 150
emergence rate

Fig1. Effect of emergence rate on crop yield

Emergence rate index:

The ERI for ZDT, HS and C+R was measured from the first day of emergence of plant in the
field and on comparison it was cleared due to minimum disturbance and proper sowing ERI was
highest in CA treatment. CA treatment had 2.31% more ERI than conventional. ZDT has
significant effect on ERI as compared to HS and C+R (FIG.2).
 300

250

200

Emergence rate 150

Emergence rate
100
ERH
50 ERZ
0

1/1/2011
3/1/2011
5/1/2011
7/1/2011
18-12-10
20-12-10
22-12-10
24-12-10
26-12-10
28-12-10
30-12-10
Date

Fig.2 emergence rate with respect to date

Moisture content:

Soil moisture was higher in all four of the depth layers in the direct seeded CA plots through out
the season. The highest moisture content was recorded with ZDT treatment as compared to HS
and C+R. It is also clear from the (fig3,4,5) that the layer at 0-10cm was particularly interesting,
had maximum soil moisture. When all four layers were combined into one moisture profile of the
0-40cm, observed that both CA treatments had more moisture than the conventional. This is
surely due to the proper preparation of soil in CA respect to CT. Therefore it can be
accomplished that conservation treatment could be used to hold the higher moisture content in
soil.
 25

20

15
Mositure
content % initial Mositure content
10
Final Mositure content

0
10 20 30 40
Depth of soil cm

Fig. 3 effect of depth of soil on moisture content in C+R

20
18
16
14
12
Mositure
10
content %age initial Mositure content
8
Final Mositure content
6
4
2
0
10 20 30 40
Depth of soil cm

Fig.4 effect of depth on moisture content in HS

 25

20

15
moisture
content % initial Mositure content
10
Final Mositure content

0
10 20 30 40
Depth of soil cm

Fig.5 effect on depth on moisture content in ZDT

Crop residues:

The effect of crop residue on yield for all the treatments was significant. Therefore it can be
surely for in ZDT at crop residue 39% the crop yield is higher as compared to HS and C+R. Crop
yield also higher at 31% crop residue than below 30%. It is completed that to get the higher yield
crop residue should be greater than 30% as it is considered as conservation treatment.

50
45
40
35
30
production 25 production happy
20 production zone
15 production cultivator
10
5
0
23 26 28
crop residue

Fig.6 effect of crop residue on production

Discussion:

Analyses of performance of different CA systems showed that soil moisture and ERI was higher
in CA plots compared to conventionally ploughed plots. It was due to combined effects of no-
tillage and residue retention which lead to high organic matter in the soil and moisture holding
capacity, because residue also impedes the evaporation of water from soil surface by protecting it
from solar radiation and air flow, which leads to an overall higher water content due to residue.
Crop residue retention as well as weed control were major challenges. Once residues are grazed
or burned, practicing no-tillage will not contribute greatly to soil fertility improvement and crop
productivity (albrech et al., 1995). The results at site point to a gradual yield increase in CA
treatments compared to the conventional tillage. There are various reasons for such
improvement(a) adjustment of the agriculture system to the new management practice.(b) residue
retention could lead to increase yield.(c) accumulation of nutrients through carryover of
residues.(D) for better understanding and improved management(e) the use of the precise
machines. Farmers at our study site mostly appreciated the saving of labor time, especially when
direct seeding equipment were used. However the direct seeder is only being an option for
wealthier farmers. Nevertheless the less wealthy farmers will be able to use for cheaper
machinery to practice CA with little penalty in yield, farmer can use the extra time save for
additional income generation e:g for adding value to their own products, for off-farm labor,
producing additional higher value crops in vegetable gardens or increasing the cropped area, the
extra time gained will therefore be beneficial for the whole farm. In the long term the application
of CA will lead to higher yields, as shown by the results from site.

Conclusion:

Conservation agriculture system as practice in Pakistan generally lead to higher soil moisture,a
graduate increase of ERI and improvement in crop yield in comparison with conventional system
over time. The effect of the CA are expected to be significant where moisture and production
capacity of the soil are limiting factors. Results point not only to the importance of residues in
CA field but also to the contribution of direct seeding machines for the successful performance
of the CA system. Economically sustainable agricultural systems also need to have developed
markets for produce to ensure CA system can become profitable. The result showed that
increases in crop yields will take between three to five seasons before they become significant.
Labor savings will therefore be an entry point for farmers in the short term if direct seeding
technologies are used. The biggest challenge for farmers in the study site, other than the control
of the weeds, is the retention of the sufficient crop residues. Many strategies are still to be
explored in overcoming this challenge in order to adapt CA at the field, farm and community
level. We conclude that the benefits of CA can accrue on different soil types and across different
systems, but that scaling up and out requires time and the whole community to be targeted, rather
than individual farmer. Site specific research is needed to address, understand and overcome
these bio-physical and socioeconomic constraints at all levels.
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