C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

The CGIAR – CIMMYT ICARDA experience The CGIAR – CIMMYT ICARDA experience conservation agriculture in wheat systemsconservation agriculture in wheat systems

Presented the Regional conference on Integrated nutrient pollution management in the Danube-Presented the Regional conference on Integrated nutrient pollution management in the Danube-Black sea BasinBlack sea BasinAnkara Turkey 23rd October 2007Ankara Turkey 23rd October 2007

Dr Ken Sayre, Dr Bram Govaerts – CIMMYT Agronomists MexicoDr Ken Sayre, Dr Bram Govaerts – CIMMYT Agronomists MexicoDr Julie Nicol,Dr Julie Nicol, CIMMYT Pathologist on behalf of CIMMYT ICARDA Turkey Office CIMMYT Pathologist on behalf of CIMMYT ICARDA Turkey OfficeTurkish NARs partners TAGEM – Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs – Turkish NARs partners TAGEM – Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs – Mr Irfan Gultekin, Mr Muzzafer Avci and Mr Yuksel KabaciMr Irfan Gultekin, Mr Muzzafer Avci and Mr Yuksel Kabaci

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Man, despite his artistic Man, despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments, and his many accomplishments, owes his existence to a 15 cm owes his existence to a 15 cm layer of topsoil and the fact that layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains it rains (Anon). (Anon).

Man, despite his artistic Man, despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments, and his many accomplishments, owes his existence to a 15 cm owes his existence to a 15 cm layer of topsoil and the fact that layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains it rains (Anon). (Anon).

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Conservation Agriculture includes the Conservation Agriculture includes the following practices:following practices:Conservation Agriculture includes the Conservation Agriculture includes the following practices:following practices: Reduce tillageReduce tillage

Goal – Zero-till or controlled-till seeding systemsGoal – Zero-till or controlled-till seeding systems  

Retain adequate amount of crop residues on the soil Retain adequate amount of crop residues on the soil surfacesurface Ultimate Goal – Keep enough residue on the soil Ultimate Goal – Keep enough residue on the soil

surface to protect the soil from erosion and to save surface to protect the soil from erosion and to save water water

   Use of proper and profitable crop rotationsUse of proper and profitable crop rotations - - Ultimate Goal – Employ economically viable, Ultimate Goal – Employ economically viable,

diversified diversified crop rotationscrop rotations

Provide farmers with better economic benefits than Provide farmers with better economic benefits than current practicescurrent practices

Reduce tillageReduce tillage Goal – Zero-till or controlled-till seeding systemsGoal – Zero-till or controlled-till seeding systems  

Retain adequate amount of crop residues on the soil Retain adequate amount of crop residues on the soil surfacesurface Ultimate Goal – Keep enough residue on the soil Ultimate Goal – Keep enough residue on the soil

surface to protect the soil from erosion and to save surface to protect the soil from erosion and to save water water

   Use of proper and profitable crop rotationsUse of proper and profitable crop rotations - - Ultimate Goal – Employ economically viable, Ultimate Goal – Employ economically viable,

diversified diversified crop rotationscrop rotations

Provide farmers with better economic benefits than Provide farmers with better economic benefits than current practicescurrent practices

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Conservation AgricultureConservation AgricultureConservation AgricultureConservation Agriculture

Comprises three basic componentsComprises three basic components Surface crop residue retentionSurface crop residue retention Minimal soil movementMinimal soil movement Crop rotationCrop rotation

Comprises three basic componentsComprises three basic components Surface crop residue retentionSurface crop residue retention Minimal soil movementMinimal soil movement Crop rotationCrop rotation

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Conservation Agriculture Means Conservation Agriculture Means Reducing Tillage Reducing Tillage

Conventional TillageConventional Tillage Seeding with Zero TillageSeeding with Zero Tillage

Conservation Agriculture Means Conservation Agriculture Means Reducing Tillage Reducing Tillage

Conventional TillageConventional Tillage Seeding with Zero TillageSeeding with Zero Tillage

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Conservation Agriculture means Conservation Agriculture means keeping some residues on the soil keeping some residues on the soil surfacesurface

Conservation Agriculture means Conservation Agriculture means keeping some residues on the soil keeping some residues on the soil surfacesurface Wind erosion from too much tillage Wind erosion from too much tillage

and no residueand no residue Wind erosion from too much tillage Wind erosion from too much tillage

and no residueand no residue Zero till with residue on the soilZero till with residue on the soilZero till with residue on the soilZero till with residue on the soil

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Conservation Agriculture can Increase Soil Conservation Agriculture can Increase Soil Organic Matter which is the Key Organic Matter which is the Key to Sustainable Soil Managementto Sustainable Soil Management

Conservation Agriculture can Increase Soil Conservation Agriculture can Increase Soil Organic Matter which is the Key Organic Matter which is the Key to Sustainable Soil Managementto Sustainable Soil Management

Physical Physical Soil QualitySoil Quality

ChemicalChemicalSoil QualitySoil Quality

BiologicalBiologicalSoil QualitySoil Quality

Soil Soil Organic Organic MatterMatter

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Estimated Area Under CA Zero-till (ha) 2004/2005Estimated Area Under CA Zero-till (ha) 2004/2005Estimated Area Under CA Zero-till (ha) 2004/2005Estimated Area Under CA Zero-till (ha) 2004/2005

CountryCountry ha ha

USAUSA 25,30425,304

BrazilBrazil 23,60023,600

ArgentinaArgentina 18,26918,269

CanadaCanada 12,52212,522

AustraliaAustralia 9,0009,000

Rest of the South Rest of the South AmericaAmerica

3,0353,035

Indo-Gangetic-PlainsIndo-Gangetic-Plains 2,8002,800

EuropeEurope 450450

Africa Africa 400400

China China 700700

Others Others (rough estimate)(rough estimate)

1,0001,000

Total Total 98,68098,680

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Characteristics of Farmers Who Have Characteristics of Farmers Who Have Adopted Conservation AgricultureAdopted Conservation AgricultureCharacteristics of Farmers Who Have Characteristics of Farmers Who Have Adopted Conservation AgricultureAdopted Conservation Agriculture

Over 90% of area under CA is located in five countries and Over 90% of area under CA is located in five countries and mainly involves large commercial farms using heavy tractors mainly involves large commercial farms using heavy tractors and large-scale machinery (especially seeders)and large-scale machinery (especially seeders)

More than 96% of the area involves non-irrigated, rained More than 96% of the area involves non-irrigated, rained farming - there has been minimal CA adoption has occurred farming - there has been minimal CA adoption has occurred for irrigated crop production systemsfor irrigated crop production systems

Except for a very few exceptions, negligible adoption in Except for a very few exceptions, negligible adoption in developing countries particularly by small and medium-scale developing countries particularly by small and medium-scale farmersfarmers

Over 90% of area under CA is located in five countries and Over 90% of area under CA is located in five countries and mainly involves large commercial farms using heavy tractors mainly involves large commercial farms using heavy tractors and large-scale machinery (especially seeders)and large-scale machinery (especially seeders)

More than 96% of the area involves non-irrigated, rained More than 96% of the area involves non-irrigated, rained farming - there has been minimal CA adoption has occurred farming - there has been minimal CA adoption has occurred for irrigated crop production systemsfor irrigated crop production systems

Except for a very few exceptions, negligible adoption in Except for a very few exceptions, negligible adoption in developing countries particularly by small and medium-scale developing countries particularly by small and medium-scale farmersfarmers

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Three Main Problems have Constrained the Three Main Problems have Constrained the Development of Conservation Agriculture Development of Conservation Agriculture Technologies for Small Farmers in Developing Technologies for Small Farmers in Developing Countries:Countries:

Three Main Problems have Constrained the Three Main Problems have Constrained the Development of Conservation Agriculture Development of Conservation Agriculture Technologies for Small Farmers in Developing Technologies for Small Farmers in Developing Countries:Countries:

The lack of available CA seeders for small and medium-scale The lack of available CA seeders for small and medium-scale farmers.farmers.

The lack of suitable farmer-tested, CA technologies for small The lack of suitable farmer-tested, CA technologies for small and medium-scale farmersand medium-scale farmers

The widespread integration of crop/livestock by most small and The widespread integration of crop/livestock by most small and medium scale farmers in developing countries with the medium scale farmers in developing countries with the consequent use of crop residues for livestock feed.consequent use of crop residues for livestock feed.

The lack of available CA seeders for small and medium-scale The lack of available CA seeders for small and medium-scale farmers.farmers.

The lack of suitable farmer-tested, CA technologies for small The lack of suitable farmer-tested, CA technologies for small and medium-scale farmersand medium-scale farmers

The widespread integration of crop/livestock by most small and The widespread integration of crop/livestock by most small and medium scale farmers in developing countries with the medium scale farmers in developing countries with the consequent use of crop residues for livestock feed.consequent use of crop residues for livestock feed.

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Many Farmers (Especially Rainfed Farmers) Many Farmers (Especially Rainfed Farmers) Continue to Practice Complete Removal of Crop Continue to Practice Complete Removal of Crop ResiduesResiduesFor Feed/fuelFor Feed/fuel and/or and/or By BurningBy Burning

Many Farmers (Especially Rainfed Farmers) Many Farmers (Especially Rainfed Farmers) Continue to Practice Complete Removal of Crop Continue to Practice Complete Removal of Crop ResiduesResiduesFor Feed/fuelFor Feed/fuel and/or and/or By BurningBy Burning

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Govaerts et al., 2005

Same variety different

management,

Upper Conservation agriculture

Lower wrong

agronomy

15 year long-term Maize/Wheat rotationTrial in CIMMYT Mexico

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Wrong agronomic

Same variety, same climate, same inputs (fertilizer …), Different long-term agronomics => different environment => different yield potential

Right CA based agronomic

15 year long-term Maize/Wheat rotationTrial in CIMMYT Mexico

Knowledge of correct rotation, management and machinery

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Wheat Wheat Wheat Wheat

0.3

0.5

0.7

0.9

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Wei

ghtin

g yi

elds

Conservation agriculture Wrong agronomics Farmer practice

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

MaizeMaizeMaizeMaize

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Weig

htin

g yi

elds

Wrong agronomics (zero tillage no residue) Conservation agriculture Farmer practice

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Weig

htin

g yi

elds

Wrong agronomics (zero tillage no residue) Conservation agriculture Farmer practice

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Comparison of average rainfed wheat yields for the most common farmer practice versus the best improved practice

(1995 to 2004)

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

5500

6000

6500

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg/

ha)

FarmerPractice-ContinuousWheat,ConventionalTill, ResiduesRemoved

ImprovedPractice;Maize-Wheat;Zero Till;ResiduesRetained

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Comparison of average economic returns above variable costs per ha for rainfed wheat from 1996

to 2004 for the most common farmer practice versus the best improved practice (Mexican

Pesos)

(500)

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

Retu

rns A

bo

ve V

ari

ab

le C

osts Farmer

Practice-ContinuousWheat,ConventionalTill, ResiduesRemoved

ImprovedPractice;Maize-Wheat;Zero Till;ResiduesRetained

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Central Antolian Plateau of Central Antolian Plateau of Turkey – Konya – Turkey – Konya – MARA Turkey - Ifran Gultekin MARA Turkey - Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research and colleagues – Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research InstituteInstitute

Central Antolian Plateau of Central Antolian Plateau of Turkey – Konya – Turkey – Konya – MARA Turkey - Ifran Gultekin MARA Turkey - Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research and colleagues – Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research InstituteInstitute

Modified machine over last 5 years for minmum Modified machine over last 5 years for minmum tillage in rainfed wheat systemstillage in rainfed wheat systems

Identified appropriate rotations and weed controlIdentified appropriate rotations and weed control

Modified machine over last 5 years for minmum Modified machine over last 5 years for minmum tillage in rainfed wheat systemstillage in rainfed wheat systems

Identified appropriate rotations and weed controlIdentified appropriate rotations and weed control

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

(F(Faalllloow-Wheat-Fw-Wheat-Faalllloow-Wheat) Yield-kg/haw-Wheat) Yield-kg/haIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research InstituteResearch Institute

(F(Faalllloow-Wheat-Fw-Wheat-Faalllloow-Wheat) Yield-kg/haw-Wheat) Yield-kg/haIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research InstituteResearch Institute

20042004

FF

20052005

WW

20062006

FF

20072007

WW

ConventionalConventional-- 10731073 -- 949949

Reduce tillageReduce tillage-- 936936 -- 13871387

Direct SeedingDirect Seeding -- 10641064 -- 17201720

Biannual cropping and higher yield with CA

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

(Wheat-C.Pea-F(Wheat-C.Pea-Faalllloow-Wheat) Yield-kg/haw-Wheat) Yield-kg/haIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research InstituteResearch Institute

(Wheat-C.Pea-F(Wheat-C.Pea-Faalllloow-Wheat) Yield-kg/haw-Wheat) Yield-kg/haIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research InstituteResearch Institute

20042004

WW

20052005

CPCP

20062006

FF

20072007

WW

ConventionalConventional 15121512 782782 -- 909909

Reduce tillageReduce tillage 14751475 844844 -- 13491349

Direct SeedingDirect Seeding 14481448 665665 -- 13791379

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

20042004

CPCP

20052005

WW

2006 2006

CPCP

20072007

WW

ConventionalConventional 542542 678678 00 964964

Reduce tillageReduce tillage 491491 894894 00 12281228

Direct SeedingDirect Seeding 298298 797797 00 12131213

(C(Chickpeahickpea Pea-Wheat-C Pea-Wheat-Chickephickepea-ea-Wheat) Yield-kg/haWheat) Yield-kg/haIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research InstituteAg. Research Institute

(C(Chickpeahickpea Pea-Wheat-C Pea-Wheat-Chickephickepea-ea-Wheat) Yield-kg/haWheat) Yield-kg/haIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International Ag. Research InstituteAg. Research Institute

Annual cropping and higher yield with CA

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Machinery modification essential for Machinery modification essential for Conservation AgricultureConservation AgricultureDr Muzzafer Avci & co. – MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The Dr Muzzafer Avci & co. – MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).

Machinery modification essential for Machinery modification essential for Conservation AgricultureConservation AgricultureDr Muzzafer Avci & co. – MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The Dr Muzzafer Avci & co. – MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Minimum tillage – Bala and Minimum tillage – Bala and Yozgat ‘on farm’ trials – Yozgat ‘on farm’ trials – Dr Muzzafer Avci & co. – Dr Muzzafer Avci & co. –

MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The Netherlands in MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).collaboration with CIMMYT).

Minimum tillage – Bala and Minimum tillage – Bala and Yozgat ‘on farm’ trials – Yozgat ‘on farm’ trials – Dr Muzzafer Avci & co. – Dr Muzzafer Avci & co. –

MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The Netherlands in MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).collaboration with CIMMYT).

Bala – 20070-till

wheat fallow

Yozgat İlci Farm – 20070-till

sunflower/safflower - wheat

Due to the severe drought, conventional planted field was not harvested, while the other field yielded 700 kg/ha even it was planted after wheat which had less residual moisture than fallow

2.5 t/ha wheat yield is obtained from 0 till planting. Spring plantings (lentil, sunflower, safflower ) were outstanding.

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Environmental benefitsEnvironmental benefitsEnvironmental benefitsEnvironmental benefits Reduced fuel consumptionReduced fuel consumption as CA systems require as CA systems require

less passes with machineryless passes with machinery Improved soil structure and soil sustainabilityImproved soil structure and soil sustainability – less – less

pollution (leaching of chemicals)pollution (leaching of chemicals) Improved soil fertilityImproved soil fertility – less reliance on synthetic – less reliance on synthetic

fertilizersfertilizers Improved water efficiencyImproved water efficiency Better control of erosionBetter control of erosion – on flat and sloped land. – on flat and sloped land. Option to biannual crop in some systemsOption to biannual crop in some systems – 2 crops – 2 crops

vs 1vs 1 Yield maintained or increasedYield maintained or increased (along with decreased (along with decreased

input costs of fuel and fertilizer)input costs of fuel and fertilizer)

Reduced fuel consumptionReduced fuel consumption as CA systems require as CA systems require less passes with machineryless passes with machinery

Improved soil structure and soil sustainabilityImproved soil structure and soil sustainability – less – less pollution (leaching of chemicals)pollution (leaching of chemicals)

Improved soil fertilityImproved soil fertility – less reliance on synthetic – less reliance on synthetic fertilizersfertilizers

Improved water efficiencyImproved water efficiency Better control of erosionBetter control of erosion – on flat and sloped land. – on flat and sloped land. Option to biannual crop in some systemsOption to biannual crop in some systems – 2 crops – 2 crops

vs 1vs 1 Yield maintained or increasedYield maintained or increased (along with decreased (along with decreased

input costs of fuel and fertilizer)input costs of fuel and fertilizer)

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Challenges for Conservation Challenges for Conservation AgricultureAgricultureChallenges for Conservation Challenges for Conservation AgricultureAgriculture

Getting the machinery rightGetting the machinery right Scaling up manufacture of machinery for CA.Scaling up manufacture of machinery for CA. Managing livestock/cropping systems to Managing livestock/cropping systems to

ensure minimum retention of residuesensure minimum retention of residues Identification of the correct system – rotation Identification of the correct system – rotation

and inputs (especially herbicide)and inputs (especially herbicide)

However, the long-term benefit for both However, the long-term benefit for both environmental sustainability and profitability environmental sustainability and profitability is clearis clear

Getting the machinery rightGetting the machinery right Scaling up manufacture of machinery for CA.Scaling up manufacture of machinery for CA. Managing livestock/cropping systems to Managing livestock/cropping systems to

ensure minimum retention of residuesensure minimum retention of residues Identification of the correct system – rotation Identification of the correct system – rotation

and inputs (especially herbicide)and inputs (especially herbicide)

However, the long-term benefit for both However, the long-term benefit for both environmental sustainability and profitability environmental sustainability and profitability is clearis clear

C I M M Y TMRInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

More informationMore informationMore informationMore information

CIMMYT Agronomists Mexico headquartersCIMMYT Agronomists Mexico headquartersDr Ken Sayre Dr Ken Sayre k.sayre@cgiar.orgDr Bram Govaerts Dr Bram Govaerts b.govaerts@cgiar.org

TAGEM Agronomists TURKEYDr Muzzafer Avci – CFCRI muzafavci@yahoo.comMr Yuksel Kabaci – CRI ykabakci63@hotmail.comMr Ifran Gultekin – BDARI irfangultekin@yahoo.com

ICARDA-CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Program ICARDA-CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Program Turkey OfficeTurkey Office

Dr Mesut Keser Dr Mesut Keser m.keser@cgiar.orgDr Julie Nicol Dr Julie Nicol j.nicol@cgiar.orgDr Alex Morgounov a.morgounov@cgiar.org

CIMMYT Agronomists Mexico headquartersCIMMYT Agronomists Mexico headquartersDr Ken Sayre Dr Ken Sayre k.sayre@cgiar.orgDr Bram Govaerts Dr Bram Govaerts b.govaerts@cgiar.org

TAGEM Agronomists TURKEYDr Muzzafer Avci – CFCRI muzafavci@yahoo.comMr Yuksel Kabaci – CRI ykabakci63@hotmail.comMr Ifran Gultekin – BDARI irfangultekin@yahoo.com

ICARDA-CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Program ICARDA-CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Program Turkey OfficeTurkey Office

Dr Mesut Keser Dr Mesut Keser m.keser@cgiar.orgDr Julie Nicol Dr Julie Nicol j.nicol@cgiar.orgDr Alex Morgounov a.morgounov@cgiar.org