| Abstract |
This book is the result of the hard work of six CIMMYT trainees who work on sustainable practices in Argentina, India, Iran, Mexico and Nepal, and participated in the 2012 visiting scientist program “Conservation agriculture: Laying the groundwork for sustainable and productive cropping systems”. Over 5 weeks the scientists received an intense training program that combined mentoring and problem solving approaches. They actively participated in the ongoing cropping systems management activities of the CIMMYT Mexico-based Conservation Agriculture Program, at the experimental stations located near Mexico City at El Batán and Toluca, and in nearby farmers’ fields. Emphasis was given to conservation agriculture-based technologies, including conventional and reduced till permanent bed planting for both irrigated and rainfed conditions, and using alternative crop residue management strategies. Crops studied included wheat, maize, barley and dry beans. Strong focus was given to interdisciplinary approaches. Breeders provided a better understanding of the nature of crop management by genotype interactions. Similarly, plant pathologists were involved in order to better understand disease interactions with the new tillage and crop residue management practices and an economist shed light on the complex system interactions and market chain developments related to conservation agriculture. These are just some of the numerous contributions we received from several CIMMYT scientists. Upon completion of the program, the participants presented their plans to initiate activities in their home countries. This included carrying out further research on what was learnt and the extension of the new technologies to farmers. They developed the necessary skills for trial management and plant and soil monitoring as influenced by management practices. The main objectives of the program were: To enhance understanding of the use and application of conservation agriculture-based planting technologies and relevant agricultural implements (with emphasis on planters/planter modifications) for irrigated and rainfed wheat and maize production systems. Foreword This book is the result of a training course and has to be considered as a product of the course rather than a reference book. The views expressed in the chapters are those of the corresponding author and do not necesarily reflect the views of CIMMYT. To encourage and develop participants’ ability to synthesize and use the information and knowledge related to conservation agriculturebased technologies (e.g., seeding methodologies in the different planting systems, irrigation water management, crop nutrient management, weed control strategies, and the importance of crop residue management). To increase participants’ knowledge of (long-term) trial planning and management. To develop skills for monitoring soil and plant parameters as they relate to cropping management systems, as well as their influence on physical, chemical, and biological soil quality, their effect on climate change adaptation and mitigation, and their impact on water and nutrient use efficiency. To foster positive attitudinal changes such as improved confidence, increased motivation, and heightened appreciation of the benefits of team work and interdisciplinary research. To create a minimum level of proficiency in order to generate scientifically-sound hypotheses, determine data collection strategies, interpret data, and summarize them into scientificallysound conclusions and recommendations. To achieve the last objective, each participant chose a defined deliverable to work on during the 5 week course. Some scientists analyzed and summarized data they brought from their home country, others reviewed a specific theme of interest related to conservation agriculture. In this book, we present the deliverables of each participant. |
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