This document discusses conservation agriculture practices in wheat systems presented at a regional conference in Turkey. It describes the three main components of conservation agriculture: surface crop residue retention, minimal soil movement, and crop rotation. It highlights challenges small farmers face in adopting conservation agriculture and presents results from long-term trials in Mexico and Turkey that show higher yields and economic returns from conservation agriculture practices like zero-tillage and crop residue retention compared to conventional tillage that removes residues. The document concludes discussing challenges to adopting conservation agriculture at scale and lists contacts for more information.

1. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
The CGIAR – CIMMYT ICARDA experienceThe CGIAR – CIMMYT ICARDA experience
conservation agriculture in wheat systemsconservation agriculture in wheat systems
Presented the Regional conference on Integrated nutrient pollution management in the Danube-Presented the Regional conference on Integrated nutrient pollution management in the Danube-
Black sea BasinBlack sea Basin
Ankara Turkey 23rd October 2007Ankara Turkey 23rd October 2007
Dr Ken Sayre, Dr Bram Govaerts – CIMMYT Agronomists MexicoDr Ken Sayre, Dr Bram Govaerts – CIMMYT Agronomists Mexico
Dr Julie Nicol,Dr Julie Nicol, CIMMYT Pathologist on behalf of CIMMYT ICARDA Turkey OfficeCIMMYT Pathologist on behalf of CIMMYT ICARDA Turkey Office
Turkish NARs partners TAGEM – Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs –Turkish NARs partners TAGEM – Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs –
Mr Irfan Gultekin, Mr Muzzafer Avci and Mr Yuksel KabaciMr Irfan Gultekin, Mr Muzzafer Avci and Mr Yuksel Kabaci

2. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Man, despite his artisticMan, despite his artistic
pretensions, hispretensions, his
sophistication, and his manysophistication, and his many
accomplishments, owes hisaccomplishments, owes his
existence to a 15 cm layer ofexistence to a 15 cm layer of
topsoil and the fact that ittopsoil and the fact that it
rainsrains (Anon).(Anon).

3. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Conservation Agriculture includes the followingConservation Agriculture includes the following
practices:practices:
 Reduce tillageReduce tillage
 Goal – Zero-till or controlled-till seeding systemsGoal – Zero-till or controlled-till seeding systems
 Retain adequate amount of crop residues on the soil surfaceRetain adequate amount of crop residues on the soil surface
 Ultimate Goal – Keep enough residue on the soil surface toUltimate Goal – Keep enough residue on the soil surface to
protect the soil from erosion and to save waterprotect the soil from erosion and to save water
 Use of proper and profitable crop rotationsUse of proper and profitable crop rotations
-- Ultimate Goal – Employ economically viable, diversifiedUltimate Goal – Employ economically viable, diversified
crop rotationscrop rotations
 Provide farmers with better economic benefits than currentProvide farmers with better economic benefits than current
practicespractices

4. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Conservation AgricultureConservation Agriculture
 Comprises three basic componentsComprises three basic components
 Surface crop residue retentionSurface crop residue retention
 Minimal soil movementMinimal soil movement
 Crop rotationCrop rotation

5. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Conservation Agriculture Means ReducingConservation Agriculture Means Reducing
TillageTillage
Conventional TillageConventional Tillage SeedingwithZero TillageSeedingwithZero Tillage

6. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Conservation Agriculture meansConservation Agriculture means
keeping some residues on the soilkeeping some residues on the soil
surfacesurface
Wind erosion from too much tillageWind erosion from too much tillage
and no residueand no residue Zero till with residue on the soilZero till with residue on the soil

7. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Conservation Agriculture can Increase SoilConservation Agriculture can Increase Soil
Organic Matter which is the KeyOrganic Matter which is the Key
to Sustainable Soil Managementto Sustainable Soil Management
PhysicalPhysical
Soil QualitySoil Quality
ChemicalChemical
Soil QualitySoil Quality
BiologicalBiological
Soil QualitySoil Quality
SoilSoil
OrganicOrganic
MatterMatter

8. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Estimated Area Under CA Zero-till (ha) 2004/2005Estimated Area Under CA Zero-till (ha) 2004/2005
CountryCountry haha
USAUSA 25,30425,304
BrazilBrazil 23,60023,600
ArgentinaArgentina 18,26918,269
CanadaCanada 12,52212,522
AustraliaAustralia 9,0009,000
Rest of the SouthRest of the South
AmericaAmerica
3,0353,035
Indo-Gangetic-PlainsIndo-Gangetic-Plains 2,8002,800
EuropeEurope 450450
AfricaAfrica 400400
ChinaChina 700700
OthersOthers
(rough estimate)(rough estimate)
1,0001,000
TotalTotal 98,68098,680

9. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Characteristics of Farmers WhoCharacteristics of Farmers Who
Have Adopted ConservationHave Adopted Conservation
AgricultureAgriculture
 Over 90% of area under CA is located in five countries andOver 90% of area under CA is located in five countries and
mainly involves large commercial farms using heavy tractorsmainly involves large commercial farms using heavy tractors
and large-scale machinery (especially seeders)and large-scale machinery (especially seeders)
 More than 96% of the area involves non-irrigated, rainedMore than 96% of the area involves non-irrigated, rained
farming - there has been minimal CA adoption has occurredfarming - there has been minimal CA adoption has occurred
for irrigated crop production systemsfor irrigated crop production systems
 Except for a very few exceptions, negligible adoption inExcept for a very few exceptions, negligible adoption in
developing countries particularly by small and medium-scaledeveloping countries particularly by small and medium-scale
farmersfarmers

10. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Three Main Problems have Constrained theThree Main Problems have Constrained the
Development of Conservation AgricultureDevelopment of Conservation Agriculture
Technologies for Small Farmers in DevelopingTechnologies for Small Farmers in Developing
Countries:Countries:
 The lack of available CA seeders for small and medium-scaleThe lack of available CA seeders for small and medium-scale
farmers.farmers.
 The lack of suitable farmer-tested, CA technologies for smallThe lack of suitable farmer-tested, CA technologies for small
and medium-scale farmersand medium-scale farmers
 The widespread integration of crop/livestock by most small andThe widespread integration of crop/livestock by most small and
medium scale farmers in developing countries with themedium scale farmers in developing countries with the
consequent use of crop residues for livestock feed.consequent use of crop residues for livestock feed.

11. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Many Farmers (Especially Rainfed Farmers)Many Farmers (Especially Rainfed Farmers)
Continue to Practice Complete Removal ofContinue to Practice Complete Removal of
Crop ResiduesCrop Residues
For Feed/fuelFor Feed/fuel and/orand/or By BurningBy Burning

12. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Govaerts et al., 2005
Same variety different
management,
Upper Conservation
agriculture
15 year long-
term
Maize/Wheat
rotation
Trial in CIMMYT
Mexico

13. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Wrong agronomic
Same variety, same climate, same inputs (fertilizer …),
Different long-term agronomics => different environment
=> different yield potential
Right CA based agronomic
15 year long-term Maize/Wheat
rotation
Trial in CIMMYT Mexico
Knowledge of correct rotation, management and machinery

14. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
WheatWheat
0.3
0.5
0.7
0.9
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Weightingyields
Conservation agriculture Wrong agronomics Farmer practice

15. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
MaizeMaize
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Weightingyields
Wrongagronomics (zero tillage no residue) Conservation agriculture Farmer practice

16. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Comparison of average rainfed wheat yields for the most
common farmer practice versus the best improved practice
(1995 to 2004)
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
6500
GrainYield(kg/ha)
Farmer
Practice-
Continuous
Wheat,
Conventional
Till, Residues
Removed
Improved
Practice;
Maize-Wheat;
Zero Till;
Residues
Retained

17. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Comparison of average economic returns above
variable costs per ha for rainfed wheat from 1996
to 2004 for the most common farmer practice
versus the best improved practice (Mexican
Pesos)
(500)
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
ReturnsAboveVariableCosts
Farmer
Practice-
Continuous
Wheat,
Conventional
Till, Residues
Removed
Improved
Practice;
Maize-Wheat;
Zero Till;
Residues
Retained

18. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Central Antolian Plateau ofCentral Antolian Plateau of
Turkey – Konya –Turkey – Konya – MARA Turkey - IfranMARA Turkey - Ifran
Gultekin and colleagues – Bahri Dagdas International Ag.Gultekin and colleagues – Bahri Dagdas International Ag.
Research InstituteResearch Institute
 Modified machine over last 5 years for minmumModified machine over last 5 years for minmum
tillage in rainfed wheat systemstillage in rainfed wheat systems
 Identified appropriate rotations and weed controlIdentified appropriate rotations and weed control

19. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
(F(Faalllloow-Wheat-Fw-Wheat-Faalllloow-Wheat) Yield-w-Wheat) Yield-
kg/hakg/ha
Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas InternationalIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International
Ag. Research InstituteAg. Research Institute
20042004
FF
20052005
WW
20062006
FF
20072007
WW
ConventionalConventional
-- 10731073 -- 949949
Reduce tillageReduce tillage
-- 936936 -- 13871387
Direct SeedingDirect Seeding -- 10641064 -- 17201720
Biannual cropping and higher yield with CA

20. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
(Wheat-C.Pea-F(Wheat-C.Pea-Faalllloow-Wheat) Yield-w-Wheat) Yield-
kg/hakg/ha
Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas InternationalIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas International
Ag. Research InstituteAg. Research Institute
20042004
WW
20052005
CPCP
20062006
FF
20072007
WW
ConventionalConventional 15121512 782782 -- 909909
Reduce tillageReduce tillage 14751475 844844 -- 13491349
Direct SeedingDirect Seeding 14481448 665665 -- 13791379

21. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
20042004
CPCP
20052005
WW
20062006
CPCP
20072007
WW
ConventionalConventional 542542 678678 00 964964
Reduce tillageReduce tillage 491491 894894 00 12281228
Direct SeedingDirect Seeding 298298 797797 00 12131213
(C(Chickpeahickpea Pea-Wheat-CPea-Wheat-Chickephickepea-ea-
Wheat) Yield-kg/haWheat) Yield-kg/ha
Ifran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri DagdasIfran Gultekin and colleagues – MARA Turkey - Bahri Dagdas
International Ag. Research InstituteInternational Ag. Research Institute
Annual cropping and higher yield with CA

22. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Machinery modification essentialMachinery modification essential
for Conservation Agriculturefor Conservation Agriculture
Dr Muzzafer Avci & co. – MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of TheDr Muzzafer Avci & co. – MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The
Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).

23. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Minimum tillage – Bala andMinimum tillage – Bala and
Yozgat ‘on farm’ trials –Yozgat ‘on farm’ trials – Dr Muzzafer AvciDr Muzzafer Avci
& co. – MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The& co. – MARA – Field Crops Research Institute Ankara (funded by The Embassy of The
Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).Netherlands in collaboration with CIMMYT).
Bala – 2007
0-till
wheat fallow
Yozgat İlci Farm – 2007
0-till
sunflower/safflower - wheat
Due to the severe drought, conventional
planted field was not harvested, while the other
field yielded 700 kg/ha even it was planted
after wheat which had less residual moisture
than fallow
2.5 t/ha wheat yield is obtained from 0 till
planting. Spring plantings (lentil, sunflower,
safflower ) were outstanding.

24. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Environmental benefitsEnvironmental benefits
 Reduced fuel consumptionReduced fuel consumption as CA systems requireas CA systems require
less passes with machineryless passes with machinery
 Improved soil structure and soil sustainabilityImproved soil structure and soil sustainability – less– less
pollution (leaching of chemicals)pollution (leaching of chemicals)
 Improved soil fertilityImproved soil fertility – less reliance on synthetic– less reliance on synthetic
fertilizersfertilizers
 Improved water efficiencyImproved water efficiency
 Better control of erosionBetter control of erosion – on flat and sloped land.– on flat and sloped land.
 Option to biannual crop in some systemsOption to biannual crop in some systems – 2 crops– 2 crops
vs 1vs 1
 Yield maintained or increasedYield maintained or increased (along with decreased(along with decreased
input costs of fuel and fertilizer)input costs of fuel and fertilizer)

25. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Challenges for ConservationChallenges for Conservation
AgricultureAgriculture
 Getting the machinery rightGetting the machinery right
 Scaling up manufacture of machinery for CA.Scaling up manufacture of machinery for CA.
 Managing livestock/cropping systems toManaging livestock/cropping systems to
ensure minimum retention of residuesensure minimum retention of residues
 Identification of the correct system – rotationIdentification of the correct system – rotation
and inputs (especially herbicide)and inputs (especially herbicide)
However, the long-term benefit for bothHowever, the long-term benefit for both
environmental sustainability and profitabilityenvironmental sustainability and profitability
is clearis clear

26. CIMMYTMR
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
More informationMore information
CIMMYT Agronomists Mexico headquartersCIMMYT Agronomists Mexico headquarters
Dr Ken SayreDr Ken Sayre k.sayre@cgiar.org
Dr Bram GovaertsDr Bram Govaerts b.govaerts@cgiar.org
TAGEM Agronomists TURKEY
Dr Muzzafer Avci – CFCRI muzafavci@yahoo.com
Mr Yuksel Kabaci – CRI ykabakci63@hotmail.com
Mr Ifran Gultekin – BDARI irfangultekin@yahoo.com
ICARDA-CIMMYT Wheat Improvement ProgramICARDA-CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Program
Turkey OfficeTurkey Office
Dr Mesut KeserDr Mesut Keser m.keser@cgiar.org
Dr Julie NicolDr Julie Nicol j.nicol@cgiar.org
Dr Alex Morgounov a.morgounov@cgiar.org