Title
Potato Zero-Tillage and Mulching Is Promising in Achieving Agronomic Gain in Asia
Date Issued
01 July 2022
Access level
open access
Resource Type
review
Publisher(s)
MDPI
Abstract
Rice-based systems have recently been recognized as the most critical plant source of C emissions worldwide. Globally, rice production is highest in Asia. Actions to introduce sustainable intensification practices into existing rice lands or diversifying with lower C-emitting crops such as potatoes will be crucial to mitigate climate change. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of potato cultivation under zero/minimum-tillage and/or organic mulching (with emphasis on rice-straw) (PZTM) on key performance indicators that are crucial to achieving agronomic gains in Asia. Forty-nine studies were selected and systematically reviewed to address the study objective. Studies reveal a consensus of increase in yield, profitability, nutrient-use efficiency, and water productivity, promoted by the significant soil moisture conservation in PZTM. There is inconsistent evidence that zero-tillage benefits weed control, but its effectiveness is enhanced by mulching. Even if soil organic matter is increased (+13–33%) and zero-tillage is the main factor driving the reduction in C footprint, no values of kg CO2 eqha−1 have been reported in PZTM to date. Only a small fraction (∼2%) of the rice-cultivated areas (RCA) is intensified with potato cultivation. That way, scaling-up PZTM among rice farmers has large potential (∼24% RCA) to increase the sustainable intensification of rice-based systems in Asia.
Volume
12
Issue
7
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Agricultura
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85133155017
Source
Agronomy
Resource of which it is part
Agronomy
Source funding
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Sponsor(s)
Funding: This research was undertaken as a part of, and funded by The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the fund for the promotion of innovation in agriculture (i4Ag): “Potato production through zero-tillage with straw mulch: an innovative technology for sustainable intensification and diversification of rice-based systems to improve livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Asia” (Agreement N°: 81275993), and the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas: RTB_PO2.5.5.1 and is supported by CGIAR Trust Fund contributors https://www.cgiar.org/funders/, accessed on 1 May 2022.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus