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Technologies
Inactive

No-till [Poland]

No-till

technologies_2851 - Poland

Completeness: 82%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

land user:

Lipiec Jerzy

j.lipiec@ipan.lublin.pl

Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences

Doswiadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin

Poland

Usowicz Boguslaw

b.usowicz@ipan.lublin.pl

Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences

Doswiadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin

Poland

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Interactive Soil Quality assessment in Europe and China for Agricultural productivity and Environmental Resilience (EU-iSQAPER)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IA PAS) - Poland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

21/07/2016

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

No-till is a system where crops are planted into the soil without primary tillage.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology is used in Rogów (N 50.80018 E 23.44883), in Zamosc Region in Poland under cereals or oil crops. The technology is used on about 700 ha area. The case study is embedded in a typical agricultural region on rather fertile soils formed from loess. The altitude at the study site is 238 m.a.s.l., average temperature 17.6°C and precipitation 563 mm. The farmer uses direct sowing technique and the following machines: stubble cultivator, seed drill with disc coulters and combine harvesters. The crop rotation includes the following crops: wheat/maize/wheat/rape. No-till, as well as minimum and reduced tillage, provides the opportunity to reduce energy requirements, increase soil organic matter content and protects the soil against erosion, runoff and compaction. No-till may often increase crop yields. The costs reduction for fuel making this technology more attractive commercially. No-till reduces CO2 emission from fuel during machinery usage. The presence of crop residues on the surface of soil layer can cause plant diseases. It is necessary to use some low amount of herbicides and fungicides in no-till.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Poland

Further specification of location:

Rogów

Comments:

Rogów, Poland, no-till, Coordinates: N 50.79988, E 23.4884

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:
  • during experiments/ research
Comments (type of project, etc.):

The farmer visited farms in the USA where the no-till technology is widely used. Then, he introduced the technology on his own farm in collaboration with local agricultural research units, including Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation in Pulawy and Life Sciences University in Lublin.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • preserve/ improve biodiversity
  • reduce risk of disasters
  • create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1

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:
  • 0.1-1 km2

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
  • A3: Soil surface treatment

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Magdalena Frąc

Date:

21/07/2016

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Fig. 1. Crop residues on no-till field under rape
Fig. 2. Seed drill with disc coulters (seeds are introduced into the soil pneumatically)

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

1 ha

other/ national currency (specify):

PLN

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

0.28

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

50-100 PLN

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Rill opening of soil Agronomic Spring or autumn depending on the crop type
2. Direct sowing and fertilizing applied at once through direct sowing machine Agronomic Spring or autumn depending on the crop type

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

If possible, break down the costs of maintenance according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

360.0

Comments:

The costs refer to 1 hectare managed and include fertilizers, equipment and labour.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Cost of machinery appropriate to no-till and costs to meet bill of machinery contractor

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high
Habitat diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • commercial/ market
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • men
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged

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

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • large-scale

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

  • family
Land use rights:
  • individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The farmer observed increase of crop productivity in Mg per ha for the following plants: wheat, rape and maize. Grain yield of wheat under no-till vary from 8.8 to 11 t/ha. The yields are greater than those from average yield under conventional plough system.

crop quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology increases crop quality by improving soil water retention.

risk of production failure

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology decreases the risk of production failure due to greater yield stability.

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology simplified land management by less intense machinery traffic on the field.

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

The expenses on agricultural inputs in no-till technology are reduced due to lower fuel costs.

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

The workload in no-till technology decreases by lower number of agricultural practices.

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology improves the food security by increased yield stability.

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Land degradation knowledge is improved by the promotion of the no-till technology.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The water quantity increases in no-till technology due to less evaporation caused by crop residues on the surface of the soil.

water quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The water quality increases in no-till technology due to protection of soil against erosion and runoff.

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

The water collection in no-till technology is improved due to better infiltration of rainfall water through earthworms macropores open at the soil surface.

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

The surface runoff in no-till technology decreased due to presence of crop residues on the field surface and open earthworms macropores increasing infiltration of rainfall water.

evaporation

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology decreases evaporation due to crop residues on the soil surface.

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology increases soil moisture by reduced evaporation due to crop residues on the soil surface and increasing soil organic matter content.

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology increases soil cover due to crop residues on the soil surface.

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology decreases soil loss due to reduced soil erosion and runoff.

soil accumulation

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology increases soil accumulation due to increase of soil organic matter content.

soil crusting/ sealing

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology reduces soil crusting and sealing by the presence of crop residuses and greater soil aggregates stability.

soil compaction

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology reduces soil compaction due to greater bearing capacity of soil and due to less traffic on the soil.

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology increases nutrient cycling / recharge due to reduced surface runoff and associated nutrient losses and greated biodiversity.

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology increases soil soil organic matter content due to crop residues on the soil and less mineralization of organic matter.

acidity

increased
reduced
Quantity before SLM:

5.8

Quantity after SLM:

6.9

Comments/ specify:

We observed increase of pH value (6.9) in no-till coil compared to conventionally tilled soil (5.8) that can be related with greater soil organic matter content in no-till soil.

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The farmer observed increase of crop productivity.

beneficial species

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

We observed greater quantity of earthworms under no-till compared to the conventional tilled soil.

pest/ disease control

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Pest/disease control increased in no-till technology due to proper application of pesticides.

Climate and disaster risk reduction

landslides/ debris flows

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology decreases landslides/ debris flows by protection of soil against erosion and greater water storage. However, no landslides were not observed in the area.

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

The no-till technology desreases emission of carbon and greenhouse gases due to reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gases realising by mechanical soil loosening.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

The farmer covered about 700 ha by no-till 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:

The farmer saw this technology in the USA and wanted to try it in Poland.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The increase of crop yield and production.
Prevention and reduction of erosion is widely observed under no-till.
Soil organic matter content increase is observed.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Soil structure improvement.
Decrease of environmental damage associated with soil inversion by ploughing.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
Weed expansion Herbicides application
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Plant diseases Fungicides application

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

4

  • interviews with land users

1

  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation

6

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