Effect of Conservation Agriculture on Maize Yield in the Transilvanian Plain, Romania

Authors: M.A.Grigoras, A.Popescu, D.Pamfil, I.Has, L.C.Cota

Abstract:

An experimental study is presented on the effect of Conservation Agriculture (CA) compared to Conventional Agriculture (ConvA) upon Maize Yield based on split-plot model. Two factors have been considered: A Factor-Fertilization with two variants: A1- N40P40 kg/ha and A2- N90P70 kg/ha; B Factor- Crop protection with 4 variants : B1- 4 treatments, B2-3 treatments, B3- 2 treatments and B4- 1 treatment. In comparison with conventional agriculture, CA determined lower maize yields. Fertilization is the key factor determining a yield gain of 973.58 kg/ha in ConvA and 1,123.33 kg/ha in CA. A reduced number of treatments determined a yield decline. The A-B interaction had a positive effect on maize yield when a larger amount of fertilizer and 4 or 3 treatments were applied in ConvA and a benefic in CA for highest fertilization level and 2 treatments. The B2A2 ConvA variant was the most efficient leading to 302.67 kg/ha gain while B3A2 CA variant brought 181.33 kg production gain.

Keywords: conservation agriculture, conventional agriculture, maize, yield

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1079314

References:

[1] P. C. Wall, J. M. Ekboir, and P. R. Hobbs, "Institutional aspects of Conservation Agriculture". International Workshop on CA for Sustainable Wheat Production with Cotton in Limited Water Resource Areas. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct.13-18, 2002, G. O. Young, "Synthetic structure of industrial plastics (Book style with paper title and editor)," in Plastics, 2nd ed. vol. 3, J. Peters, Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1964, pp. 15-64.
[2] M. Paraschivu, G. Paunescu, and A.M, Paraschivu, "Conservation Agriculture, an alternative for a sustainable agriculture, From the Mexican Agriculture Experience", Annals of INCDA Fundulea, Vol.LXXVII, 2009
[3] A. Limon-Ortega, K. D. Sayer, R. A. Drijber, and C.A. Francis, "Soil attributes in a furrow- irrigated bed planting system in northwest Mexico", in Soil Tillage Res., 2002, 63, pp.123-132
[4] B. Govaerts, K. Sayre, N. Verhulst, L. Dendooven, A. Limon-Ortega, and L. Patino-Zuniga, "The effects of conservation agriculture on crop performance, soil quality and potential emission reduction and C segregation in contrasting environments in Mexico", www.fao.org
[5] A. Hemmat, and I. Eskandari, "Conservation tillage practices for Winter Wheat-fallow farming in the temperate continental climate in North Western Iran", in Field Crops Research, 2004, Vol.89, Issue 1, pp.123-133
[6] M. Tursunov I. Bobojonov, J. P. A. Lamers,and A. Pulatov, "The Comparative Advantage of Conservation Agriculture in Wheat and Cotton Rotation in the Khorezm Region, Aral Sea Basin","Prosperity and Poverty in a Globalized World: Challenges for Agriculture Research", Tropentag, 2006, Bonn Germany
[7] K. Giller, E. Witter, M. Corbeels, and P. Tittonell, "Conservation Agriculture and smallholder farming in Africa: The heretics view", in Field Crops Research, 2009, Vol.114, Issue 1, pp.23-34
[8] C. Thierfeler, and P.C.Wall, "Investigating conservation agriculture systems in Zambia and Zimbabwe to mitigate future effects of climate change", in African Crop Science Conference Proceedings, 2009, Vol.9, pp.303-307
[9] L. Rusinamhodzi, M. C. Rufino, M. van Wjik, J. Nyamangara, M. Corbeels, and K.E. Giller, "Long-term effects of Conservation Agriculture practices on maize yields under rain-fed conditions". Proceedings of Agro 2010:The XI th ESA Congress, Aug.29-Sept.3, 2010, Montpellier, France, Agropolis International, pp.227-228
[10] R. Sommer, P. C. Wall, and B. Govaerts, "Model-based assessment of maize cropping under conventional and conservation agriculture in highland Mexico", in Soil and Tillage Research, 2007, Vol.94, Issue 1, pp.83-100
[11] M. K. Devkota, C. Martius, K. D. Sayre, O. Egomberdiev, K. P. Devkota, R. K. Gupta, A. M. Manschadi, and J. P. A. Lamers, "Performance of maize under CA on salt-affected irrigated croplands in Uzbekistan, Central Asia", Tropentag, 2010, Conference on International Research on Food Security, National Resource Management and Rural Development
[12] K. Sayre, K.,and P. Hobbs, "The raised-bed system of cultivation for irrigated production conditions", in: "Sustainable agriculture and the Rice-Wheat System". Lal, R.P., Hobbs, N., Uphoff and D. O. Hansen (eds). Ohio State University, Columbia, Ohio, USA, p.337-355. In: Performance of maize under CA on salt-affected irrigated croplands in Uzbekistan, Central Asia, Devkota, M.K., C. Martius, K.D. Sayre, O. Egomberdiev, K.P.Devkota, R.K.Gupta, A.M. Manschadi, J.P.A. Lamers (eds), Tropentag, 2010, Conference on International Research on Food Security, National Resource Management and Rural Development
[13] R.Lal, D.C., Reicosky, and J. D. Hanson, "Evolution of the plow over 10,000 years and the rationale for no-till farming", in Soil and Tillage Research 93(1), pp.1-12, in "Performance of maize under CA on saltaffected irrigated croplands in Uzbekistan, Central Asia", Devkota, M.K., C. Martius, K.D.Sayre, O. Egomberdiev, K.P. Devkota, R.K.Gupta, A.M. Manschadi, J.P.A. Lamers (eds), Tropentag, 2010, Conference on International Research on Food Security, National Resource Management and Rural Development
[14] H. Pang, Yu-Yi Li, Jin-Song Yang, Ye-Sen Liang, "Effect of blackish water irrigation and straw mulching on soil salinity and crop yields under monsoonal climatic conditions. African Water Management":doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2009.08.020, in "Performance of maize under CA on salt-affected irrigated croplands in Uzbekistan, Central Asia", Devkota, M.K., C. Martius, K.D. Sayre, O. Egomberdiev, K.P. Devkota, R.K. Gupta, A.M. Manschadi, J.P.A. Lamers (eds), Tropentag, 2010, Conference on International Research on Food Security, National Resource Management and Rural Development
[15] P. De Vita, E. Di, Paolo, G. Fecondo, N. Di Fonzo, and M.Isante, "No-tillage and conventional tillage effects on durum wheat yield, grain quality and soil moisture content in Southern Italy", in Soil and Tillage Research 92: pp. 69-78. In: "Performance of maize under CA on saltaffected irrigated croplands in Uzbekistan, Central Asia", Devkota, M.K., C. Martius, K. D. Sayre, O. Egomberdiev, K. P. Devkota, R. K. Gupta, A. M. Manschadi, J.P.A. Lamers (eds), Tropentag, 2010, Conference on International Research on Food Security, National Resource Management and Rural Development
[16] R. A. Fisher, F. Santiveri, and I. R. Vidal, "Crop rotation, tillage and crop residue management for wheat and maize in the sub-humid tropical highlands: II. Maize and system performance", in Field Crops Research 79(2-3), pp.123-137 in "Performance of maize under CA on salt-affected irrigated croplands in Uzbekistan, Central Asia", Devkota, M.K., C.Martius, K.D. Sayre, O. Egomberdiev, K.P. Devkota, R.K. Gupta, A.M. Manschadi, J.P.A. Lamers (eds), Tropentag, 2010, Conference on International Research on Food Security, National Resource Management and Rural Development
[17] O. Erenstein, K. Sayre, P.C. Wall, J. Dixon, and J. Hellin, "Adapting No - Tillage Agriculture to the condition of smallholder Maize and Wheat Farmers in the Tropics and Sub-Tropics", 2008, www.cultivationsudan.com :pp.253-277
[18] H. Kabama, and A. Muimba-Kankolongo, "Adoption and impact of conservation farming on crop productivity among smallholder farmers in Kapiri Mposhi District of Zambia", in Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2009, Vol.3, Issue 2, pp.205-214
[19] R. Derpsh, "No-tillage and Conservation Agriculture. A progress Report". In "No-till farming systems", Goddard T., Zoebisch, M.A., Gen, Y.T., Ellis, W., Watson, A., Soubatpenit, S., (Eds), 2008. Special publication No.3, World Association of Soil and Water Conservation, Bangkok, 60-1, pp.544.
[20] Informative Sheet No.5."Conservation Agriculture, Durable Agriculture and Soil Conservation. Agricultural Methods and Systems nondangerous for Soil" www.soco.jtc.europa.eu,.
[21] D. Malschi Dana, A. Ivas, A. Simon, and M. Ignea, "Evolution of Wheat pests and production performance under conservation technology and treatments with insecticides adequate to present climate change", in Scientific Session, INCDA Fundulea, SCDA Turda, 2011, Romania
[22] F. Chetran, "Technology Peculiarities in Winter Wheat in Conservation Agriculture", Scientific Session, INCDA Fundulea, SCDA Turda, 2011, Romania
[23] C. Nagy, M. Ignea, A. Simon, and V. Pacurar, "A few concerns related to the Implementation of Conservation Agriculture in commercial farms", Transilvanian Agriculture, No.13/2008
[24] M.A. Grigoras, and M. Ignea, "Crop and Integrated Systems Management for obtaining high Quantitative and Qualitative Productions", Romania, Research National Partnership Project 52- 179/2008-2011, Romania
[25] T. Rusu, and M. Ignea, "Monitoring the Impact of agriculture on global climate change, water and soil management and carbon by conservation systems: minimum tillage and no-tillage in the Transilvanian Plain", Research National Partnership Project 52-114/2008, Romania