Improving the sustainability of wheat production in irrigated areas of Punjab, Pakistan through conservation tillage technology

Wheat and rice are the major food staples around the globe including Pakistan. The challenge of increasing food production in the next 20 years to match population growth is daunting and warrants improvement in the quality of natural resources for growing more food from marginal and degraded lands....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of agriculture and biology 2008-05, Vol.10 (3)
Main Authors: Mann, R.A. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan)), Ramzan, M. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan)), Munir, A. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan))
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE
CROP YIELD
IRRIGATED LAND
PAKISTAN
PEST INSECTS
PREDATORS
PRODUCTION COSTS
SOIL CHEMICOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOIL MICROORGANISMS
SUSTAINABILITY
TRITICUM AESTIVUM
WEED CONTROL
ZERO TILLAGE
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Summary:Wheat and rice are the major food staples around the globe including Pakistan. The challenge of increasing food production in the next 20 years to match population growth is daunting and warrants improvement in the quality of natural resources for growing more food from marginal and degraded lands. Cost of cultivation must be reduced and at the same time, efficiency of resources like irrigation water, fuel, fertilizers must be improved to make the crop production system more viable and eco-friendly. Resource Conserving Technology (RCT) must figure highly in this equation since it plays a crucial role in achieving the above goals. The RCTs include laser land leveling, zero-tillage, bed furrow irrigation method and crop residue management. These technologies were evaluated in irrigated areas of Punjab province where rice follows wheat. Water use efficiency was increased by 20% in laser leveled fields. Zero-tillage technology resulted in a significant saving of irrigation water (22%), fuel (78%), cultivation (88%) and herbicide use (33%) compared to conventional, thus increasing yields and farmer's profits. Soil properties and microbial population including bacteria, fungi and actinomyces improved in the zero-till fields. Planting of wheat on raised beds is making headway in low-lying and poorly drained areas. Thus, resource conservation tillage technology provides a tool for making progress towards improving and sustaining wheat production, helping with food security and poverty alleviation in Pakistan in the next few decades.
ISSN:1560-8530
1814-9596