Reduced and zero-tillage options for establishment of wheat after rice in South Asia

Abstract

One of the major constraints to higher production of wheat on the 12 million hectares of rice-wheat grown in the Indo-Gangetic flood plains of South Asia is late planting and resultant poor plant stands. Late planting results in a linear decline in yield potential equivalent to 1-1.5% loss ha-1 d-I when planting occurs after November. Late harvest of the previous rice crop or long turnaround time from rice harvest to wheat planting are two major causes of late wheat planting. Reduced or zero-tillage options are proving effective in overcoming late planting and poor plant stands in the rice-wheat systems of Asia. This paper presents data on zero-tillage systems, ranging from surface seeding to planting with four-wheel tractor seed drills, resulting in higher yields at lower costs and savings in fuel use and tractor wear and tear. Reduced tillage systems include 'data-using' drills that combine land preparation and seeding in one operation. Both two and four-wheel tractors have been used to achieve good results. This paper concludes that conventional tillage systems can be replaced by more economic reduced tillage options. However, it is important with reduced tillage that soil moisture at seeding is maintained at a high enough level to keep soil strength low, as occurs in tilled soils. Some longer term research is needed to determine medium term positive or negative effects of reduced tillage on sustaining wheat yields.

Tailoring Conservation Agriculture to the Needs of Small Farmers in Developing Countries

“…Research had shown that wheat yield was reduced by 1-1.5% for each day that seeding was delayed after November 30 (Hobbs et al, 1997). After the harvest of the rice crop, tillage required several days, delaying the date of seeding of the wheat.…”

Reduction in kernel weight as a potential indirect selection criterion for wheat grain yield under terminal heat stress

“…2005, Sharma et al. 2007a), a frequent circumstance as late‐maturing rice cultivars used in rice‐wheat cropping systems push back the sowing of wheat (Hobbs and Giri 1997). Yields of late‐seeded wheat are reduced by as much as 40% (de Lespinay 2004, Sharma and Duveiller 2004, Duveiller et al.…”

Evaluation of Direct Seeded Rice Planter under Minimum Tillage Practices

“…Rickman et al (1999) reported that crop lodging is a significant problem in dry seeded rice in Cambodia, particularly with traditional varieties with full conventional tillage systems but machine drilling of seeds could reduce lodging to less than 10%. Chinese scientists have developed a two-wheel tractor operated seeder that provides tillage, seeding and leveling in one operation (Hobbs et al, 1997). The main components were shallow rotovator, six-row seeding system and soil compaction roller.…”