Conservation agriculture: A new paradigm for improving input use efficiency and crop productivity

Abstract

Conservation agriculture (CA) refers to a set of agricultural practices encompassing minimum mechanical soil disturbance, diversified crop rotation and permanent soil cover with crop residues to mitigate soil erosion and improve soil fertility besides soil functions. The CA aims to conserve, improve and make more efficient use of resources through CA-based technologies. It has many tangible and intangible benefits in terms of reduced cost of production, saving of time, increased yield through timely planting, improved water productivity, adaptation to climate variability, reduced disease and pest incidence through stimulation of biological diversity, reduced environmental footprints and ultimately improvements in soil health. However, weeds are a major biotic interference in CA, posing big defy towards its success unless all the principles are completely followed. Development of post-emergence herbicide and growing herbicide-tolerant crops and also the retention of crop residues as a mulch help in managing weed problems and also improve soil moisture retention. Furthermore, this practice of agriculture improves soil organic carbon content which ultimately leads to an increase in input use efficiency.