Zero–tillage Technology

Introduction

In zero tillage (ZT) technology, soil is not ploughed, but sowing of crop is done by using a specially designed zero-till seed-cumfertilizer drill/planter, which disturbs soil to the least possible extent. At the time of seeding, fertilizers are simultaneously placed beneath the seeds. Several modern seeding machines, such as happy seeder, turbo seeder, multi-crop planter, rotodouble disc planter are necessary for sowing in residue-laden conditions.

Zero tillage proves better for direct-seeded rice, maize, soybean, cotton, pigeonpea, mungbean, clusterbean, pearlmillet during kharif season and wheat, barley, chickpea, mustard and lentil during rabi season. Wheat sowing after rice can be advanced by 10-12 days by adopting this technique compared to conventionally tilled wheat, and wheat yield reduction caused by late sowing can be avoided. ZT provides opportunity to escape wheat crop from terminal heat stress.

Benefits :

•  Zero tillage reduces cost of cultivation by nearly ` 2500-3000/ha through reduction in cost of land preparation, and reduces diesel consumption by 50-60 litres per hectare. Besides, wear and tear losses of tractor and machinery are minimized.

•  Zero tillage reduces water requirement of crop and the loss of organic carbon by oxidation. It increases the activity of microflora and fauna with crop/plant residues/stubbles or other vegetative cover retained on soil surface. This provides favorable effect on crop root development and subsequent growth and enhances the production potential of soil under zero tillage.

•  Zero tillage reduces Phalaris minor problem in wheat. Isoproturon resistance to this weed can be overcome through ZT. Initially, for controlling weeds, non-selective herbicides like paraquat, glyphosate may be applied at 1.0 kg/ha at 7-10 days before sowing of seed, followed by application of crop-selective herbicides.

•  Bulk density, penetration resistance, and soil compaction are significantly lower in zero-till with residues compared to conventional till wheat in direct seeded rice - wheat system.

•  The carbon status of soil is significantly enhanced in surface soil (0-5 cm), particularly under crop residue retention with zero tillage.

 

For further information please contact :

Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
New Delhi