Vijay Laxmi

Bio: Vijay Laxmi is an academic researcher from Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research. The author has contributed to research in topics: Groundwater & Nitrate. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 10 publications receiving 590 citations.

Zero tillage impacts in India's rice–wheat systems: A review

Abstract: To date, the most widely adopted resource conserving technology in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of South Asia has been zero-tillage (ZT) wheat after rice, particularly in India. The paper reviews and synthesizes the experience with ZT in the Indian IGP. ZT wheat is particularly appropriate for rice–wheat systems in the IGP by alleviating system constraints by allowing earlier wheat planting, helping control the weed Phalaris minor , reducing production costs and saving water. ZT wheat after rice generates substantial benefits at the farm level (US$97 ha −1 ) through the combination of a ‘yield effect’ (a 5–7% yield increase, particularly due to more timely planting of wheat) and a ‘cost savings effect’ (US$52 ha −1 , particularly tillage savings). These benefits explain the widespread interest of farmers and the rapidity of the diffusion across the Indian IGP, further aided by the wide applicability of this mechanical innovation.

Impact of zero tillage in India's rice-wheat systems

Abstract: To date, the most widely adopted resource conserving technology (RCT) in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP)has been zero-tillage (ZT) for wheat after rice, particularly in India. This report reviews and synthesizes the experience with zero tillage in the Indian IGP. Zero tillage of wheat after rice generates significant benefits at the farm level, both in terms of significant yield gains (6–10%, particularly due to timelier planting of wheat) and cost savings (5–10%, particularly tillage savings). These benefits explain the widespread interest of farmers and the rapidity of the diffusion across the Indian IGP, further aided by the wide applicability of this mechanical innovation. The study subsequently reports on the findings of village-level focus-group discussions in Punjab, Haryana and Eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP). These typically corroborate the findings reported in the reviewed literature. They also highlight the significant extent and speed of ZT adoption in each village as well as the attendant substantial cost savings and yield increases. A conservative ex-ante assessment of supply-shift gains alone (excluding other social and environmental gains), shows that the investment in zero tillage/reduced tillage (ZT/RT) research and development by the Rice-Wheat Consortium of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (RWC) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico (CIMMYT) was highly beneficial with a benefit-cost ratio of 39, a net present value (NPV) of US$ 94 million and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 57%. The study highlights the potential gains from successful technology transfer and adaptation in natural resources management (NRM).

CIMMYT. Assessing the impact of natural resource management research: the case of zero tillage in India's rice-wheat systems.

Abstract: world’s population, making these systems critically important for global food security (Timisina and Connor, 2001; Ladha et al., 2003b). In South Asia rice–wheat systems produce more than 30% of the rice and 42% of the wheat consumed (RWC-CIMMYT, 2003: 24) and cover about 14 million ha of cultivated land – with most of the area located in India and the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) (Timisina and Connor, 2001). Recent studies indicate a slowdown in productivity growth in the rice–wheat systems of India (Kumar et al., 2002). Evidence from longterm experiments shows that crop yields are stagnating and sometimes declining (Duxbury et al., 2000; Ladha et al., 2003a). Current crop cultivation practices in rice–wheat systems degrade soil and water resources and thereby threaten the sustainability of the system (Byerlee and Siddiq, 1994; Fujisaka et al., 1994; Hobbs and Morris, 1996; Ali and Byerlee, 2000; Duxbury et al., 1994; Kumar and Yadav, 2001; Gupta et al., 2003; Ladha et al., 2003a). The prevailing policy environment has encouraged inappropriate land and input use (Pingali and Shah, 1999) and crop system constraints have encouraged unsuitable responses. If the supply of food is to keep pace with rapidly growing demand, rice–wheat farmers will have to produce more food from fewer resources while sustaining environmental quality. This will require rapid technological change towards technologies that are both more productive and less resource-degrading. The Rice–Wheat Consortium of the IndoGangetic Plains (RWC; www.rwc.cgiar.org) is a consortium involving international agricultural research centres and national agricultural

Direct Seeding of Rice: Recent Developments and Future Research Needs

Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a staple food for more than half of the world population, is commonly grown by transplanting seedlings into puddled soil (wet tillage) in Asia. This production system is labor-, water-, and energy-intensive and is becoming less profitable as these resources are becoming increasingly scarce. It also deteriorates the physical properties of soil, adversely affects the performance of succeeding upland crops, and contributes to methane emissions. These factors demand a major shift from puddled transplanting to direct seeding of rice (DSR) in irrigated rice ecosystems. Direct seeding (especially wet seeding) is widely adopted in some and is spreading to other Asian countries. However, combining dry seeding (Dry-DSR) with zero/reduced tillage (e.g., conservation agriculture (CA)) is gaining momentum as a pathway to address rising water and labor scarcity, and to enhance system sustainability. Published studies show various benefits from direct seeding compared with puddled transplanting, which typically include (1) similar yields; (2) savings in irrigation water, labor, and production costs; (3) higher net economic returns; and (4) a reduction in methane emissions. Despite these benefits, the yields have been variable in some regions, especially with dry seeding combined with reduced/zero tillage due to (1) uneven and poor crop stand, (2) poor weed control, (3) higher spikelet sterility, (4) crop lodging, and (5) poor knowledge of water and nutrient management. In addition, rice varieties currently used for DSR are primarily selected and bred for puddled transplanted rice. Risks associated with a shift from puddled transplanting to DSR include (1) a shift toward hard-to-control weed flora, (2) development of herbicide resistance in weeds, (3) evolution of weedy rice, (4) increases in soil-borne pathogens such as nematodes, (5) higher emissions of nitrous oxide—a potent greenhouse gas , and (6) nutrient disorders, especially N and micronutrients. The objectives of this chapter are to review (1) drivers of the shift from puddled transplanting to DSR; (2) overall crop performance, including resource-use efficiencies of DSR; and (3) lessons from countries where DSR has already been widely adopted. Based on the existing evidence, we present an integrated package of technologies for Dry-DSR, including the identification of rice traits associated with the attainment of optimum grain yield with Dry-DSR.

Climate change, water and food security.

Abstract: The impacts of climate change on the global hydrological cycle are expected to vary the patterns of demand and supply of water for agriculture - the dominant use of freshwater. This report summarizes knowledge of the anticipated impacts of climate change on water availability for agriculture and examines the implications for local and national food security. It analyses expected impact of climate change on a set of major agricultural systems at risk and makes the case for immediate implementation of "no-regrets" strategies which have both positive development outcomes and make agricultural systems resilient. It is hoped that policy makers and planners can use this report to frame their adaptation responses when considering both the water variable in agriculture and the competing demands from other users.

A review of the effects of tillage systems on some soil physical properties, water content, nitrate availability and crops yield in the Argentine Pampas

Abstract: Fil: Alvarez, Roberto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Parque Centenario; Argentina