1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg - Germany

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Georg August Universität Göttingen (Georg August Universität Göttingen) - Germany

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

20/07/2015

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Seed of maize and soy are planted directly into the soil with a minimum previous tillage impact.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

After harvesting stubbles of maize or soy remain on site. When the planting season started the soil is opened by rolling discs pulled by a tractor. The seeds are directly put into the open soil which is compacted afterwards with rolling wheels of the same machine.

Purpose of the Technology: With minimum tillage practices tilling and seeding operations could be implemented fast and very efficient. The high power of impact allows the cultivation of large fields in short time, especially if small windows of wet initial conditions need to be used. The purpose is to avoid deep plowing of the soils that would need much higher energy and costs and would lead to typical serious erosion problems in the tropics.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The technology was implemented in the area since approximately 15 years. High technological standard of tillage tools, tractors and service is needed. Since the whole farm system has changed, farmer need special knowledge in no-till measures especially with regard to pest management.

Natural / human environment: The region belongs to the semi-humid tropics and to the cerrado biome in the centre of the South American continent. Natural vegetation has been deforested some 20-40 year ago and was shifted to soy bean fields, pastures, corn and sugar cane fields.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): biodiversity loss, water pollution, soil erosion

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): unpredictable weather, unpredictable world market prices, climate change

Forest products and services: timber, fuelwood, nature conservation / protection

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Sometimes Pearl millet is planted as an inter-crop.

3.3 Further information about land use

Comments:

Water supply: rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 150 Longest growing period from month to month: September-January Second longest growing period in days: 100 Second longest growing period from month to month: January-July

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• minimal soil disturbance

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• > 10,000 km2

Comments:

The area in which the SLM technology is applied is much bigger and can be found also in other states of Brazil that is located in the cerrado biome.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, structural measures, management measures

Type of agronomic measures: better crop cover, mixed cropping / intercropping, cover cropping, legume inter-planting, manure / compost / residues, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, zero tillage / no-till, minimum tillage

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Main causes of degradation: soil management, deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts), droughts

Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), change of seasonal rainfall, wind storms / dust storms, floods

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation,
Third goal: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: high

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase / maintain water stored in soil

Secondary technical functions: control of raindrop splash, reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, increase of surface roughness, improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), improvement of subsoil structure (hardpan), increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater, water harvesting / increase water supply, water spreading, increase of biomass (quantity)

Better crop cover
Material/ species: stubbles

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: safrinha

Cover cropping
Material/ species: stubbles

Terrace: backward sloping
Vertical interval between structures (m): 2
Spacing between structures (m): 50

Bund/ bank: level
Vertical interval between structures (m): 0.5
Spacing between structures (m): 50

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Real Brasileiro

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

3.06

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Bulldozing	Structural	dry season

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Bulldozing	ha	1.0	3000.0	3000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					3000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	reparation	Agronomic	yearly

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Costs are determined by the enormous field size and the soil type

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 501-1000 m a.s.l. (630 m)

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility: Low
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: Very low

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly Leaders / privileged

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 3% - 4%

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• company

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	not well
local windstorm	not known

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	not well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 90-100%

Comments:

90% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The no-tillage technology reduced soil erosion by water and helps to minimize carbon release into the atmosphere. It reduces management costs in the long run.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
No tillage is a high-input technology that needs some expensive investments in the beginning.