Journal of Agricultural Science and Engineering
Articles Information
Journal of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Vol.1, No.2, Jun. 2015, Pub. Date: May 28, 2015
Effect of Conservation Agriculture on Sorghum Yield in Rainfed Areas Southern Gedarif State, Sudan
Pages: 89-94 Views: 4314 Downloads: 2416
Authors
[01] Lotfie A. Yousif, Agricultural Engineering Research Programme, Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Gedarif, Sudan.
[02] Ebtehag H. Babiker, Agricultural Economic and Policy Research Center, Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Gedarif, Sudan.
Abstract
Rainfed agriculture in Gedarif state, Eastern Sudan is the main area for producing sorghum, the staple food crop. The conventional farming (CF) system for sorghum is achieved by the use of Wide Level Disk (WLD) for seedbed preparation and seeding plus use of low inputs. The result is low yield compared to the potential. Conservation agriculture (CA) was tested elsewhere and proves its efficiency. It could be accomplished by seeding crops directly in previous crop residues via special planter concurrently with applying fertilizers and herbicides. Sustainable improvement of sorghum yield is necessary to secure food for the growing population this could be attained through implementing a new adaptive cropping system. The objectives of this study were to assess the performance of sorghum under CF and CA in rainfed areas in addition to perform economic analyses. The CA was conducted during two seasons (2012 and 2013) in farmer's fields Southern Gedarif State and compared with the adjacent CF fields. The soil is heavy cracking clay soil. Effective rainfall occurs during July to September. Data on machines performance, soil moisture content, and sorghum yield were collected from each system. Partial budget and sensitivity analyses were executed. The results indicated that CA saved 26% and 25% of time and fuel, respectively. CA significantly out yielded CF by four folds. Economic and sensitivity analysis showed the profitability of CA over CF. Higher and economic sorghum yield could be obtained by using CA. Effects of CA on environment and soil need more experimentation.
Keywords
Dry Land Farming, Conservation Agriculture, Sustainable Sorghum Production, Gedarif, Sudan
References
[01] Anonymous (2002). Extension Guide: Technical Packages for Agricultural Crops. Ministry of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan.
[02] Cakir, E., Erdem A. and Harun Y. (2003). Tillage Parameters and Economic Analysis of Direct Seeding, Minimum and Conventional Tillage in Wheat. Paper presented at 16th International Soil and Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO) Triennial Conference "Soil Management for Sustainability", Univ. of Queensland Brisbane, Australia. P:259-264.
[03] Coutts, R. G. and Smith, K. R. (1991). Production Manual - Economic of No-Till. Manitoba-North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers Association. http://www.mandakzerotill.org
[04] Dafalla, M.Y. and Awad, S. AG. (2008). Determination of suitable tillage systems for some field crops under different field conditions. Proceeding of the 44th meeting of the National Crop Husbandry Committee. Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Wad Medani, Sudan.
[05] FAO, (2007). Conservation agriculture, Agriculture and Protection Department, Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy, available from http//:www.fao.org/ag/ca/
[06] Giller, K.E., Ernst Witter, Marc Corbeels, Pablo Tittonell. (2009). Conservation agriculture and smallholder farming in Africa: The heretics’ view, Field Crops Research 114:23–34
[07] Hobbs, P.R. (2007(. Conservation agriculture: what is it and why is it important forfuture sustainable food production? J. Agric. Sci. 145, 127–137.
[08] Ismail, A.O.M., Elmulthum, N.A.M. and Elamin, A.E. M. (2012). A comparative economic analysis of zero tillage versus traditional technologies in mechanized rainfed crop production schemes in Agadi area, Blue Nile State, Sudan. Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research, 20: 103-109.
[09] Lange, D. (2005). Economics and Evaluation of Smallholdings Conservation Agriculture in Paraguay. mid-term experiences; FAO-GTZ, Asuncion, Paraguay, P. 91.
[10] Saeed, A.B. and Hassan, Y. E., (2002). Influence of Tillage on Some Properties of Heavy Cracking Clay Soils and Sorghum Yield in the Mechanized Rainfed Agriculture. U. of K. J. Agric. Sci., 10 (2): 267–276.
[11] Shalander K., K.L.; Sharma, K.; Kareemulla, G.R.; Chary, C. A. Ramarao, Ch. Srinivasa R. and Venkateswarlu, B. (2011) Techno-economic feasibility of conservation agriculture in rainfed regions of India, current science, VOL. 101, NO. 9,
[12] Turner, N.C. (2004). Agronomic options for improving rainfall-use efficiency of crops in dryland farming systems, Journal of Experimental Botany, 55(407):2416-2425
[13] Yousif, L.A. and Taha, M.B. (2013). Effect of Seedbed Preparation, Sowing Method and Nitrogen Fertilizer Level on Sorghum Grain Yield in Rainfed Areas, Gedarif, Sudan International Journal of Agronomy and Plant Production., 4(S):3864-3870
[14] Yousif, L.A., Elwaleed M.E. and Saeed B.S. (2009). Influence of tillage methods on soil moisture content and sorghum grain yield in Vertisols of dryland farming Northern Gedarif. J.Sc. Tech, 10(2):60-68.
600 ATLANTIC AVE, BOSTON,
MA 02210, USA
+001-6179630233
AIS is an academia-oriented and non-commercial institute aiming at providing users with a way to quickly and easily get the academic and scientific information.
Copyright © 2014 - American Institute of Science except certain content provided by third parties.