IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v14y2025i3p563-d1607543.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Potato Cultivation Under Zero Tillage and Straw Mulching: Option for Land and Cropping System Intensification for Indian Sundarbans

Author

Listed:
  • Saikat Dey

    (Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Narendrapur, Kolkata 700103, West Bengal, India
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sukamal Sarkar

    (Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Narendrapur, Kolkata 700103, West Bengal, India
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Anannya Dhar

    (Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Narendrapur, Kolkata 700103, West Bengal, India)

  • Koushik Brahmachari

    (Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia 741252, West Bengal, India
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Argha Ghosh

    (Department of Agricultural Meteorology, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar 751003, Odisha, India)

  • Rupak Goswami

    (Division of Agriculture and Rural Development, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Narendrapur, Kolkata 700103, West Bengal, India)

  • Mohammed Mainuddin

    (CSIRO Environment, Canberra 2601, Australia)

Abstract

Agriculture in the Indian Sundarbans deltaic region primarily depends on a rice-based monocropping system during the rainy season, with the subsequent season often remaining fallow. To mitigate this issue, a series of experiments using zero tillage and straw mulching (ZTSM) potato cultivation were conducted over eight consecutive years (2017–2024) across various islands in the Sundarbans Delta, West Bengal, aimed to intensify the cropping system and ensure the betterment of the land use pattern using climate-smart agricultural practices. In the initial two years, the experiments concentrated on assessing different potato cultivars and nutrient dosages under zero tillage and paddy straw mulching conditions. During the subsequent years, the focus shifted to field demonstrations under diverse climatic conditions. The research included the application of different macronutrients and growth regulators, in combination with different depths of straw mulching. In the final years of the study, the intervention was dedicated solely to the horizontal expansion of cultivated land. These initiatives aimed to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainable land use in the polders, promoting climate-resilient farming practices. From the sets of experiments, we standardized the sustainable nutrient management strategies and selection of appropriate potato cultivars vis-à-vis depth of straw mulching and, finally, the overall best agronomic practices for the region. The adoption of the ZTSM potato cultivation system demonstrated considerable success, as evidenced by the remarkable increase in the number of farmers employing this sustainable agricultural practice. The number of farmers practicing zero tillage potato cultivation surged from 23 in the initial year to over 1100, covering an area of more than 15 ha, highlighting the effectiveness of the technology. The analysis of the estimated adoption also showed that more than 90% adoption is likely to be achieved within a decade. This potential expansion underscores the benefits of the ZTSM potato cultivation system in improving soil health, conserving water, and reducing labour and costs. As more farmers recognize the advantages of zero tillage potato mulching, this approach is poised to play a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture, enhancing productivity while promoting environmental stewardship.

Suggested Citation

  • Saikat Dey & Sukamal Sarkar & Anannya Dhar & Koushik Brahmachari & Argha Ghosh & Rupak Goswami & Mohammed Mainuddin, 2025. "Potato Cultivation Under Zero Tillage and Straw Mulching: Option for Land and Cropping System Intensification for Indian Sundarbans," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-29, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:563-:d:1607543
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/563/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/563/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rupak Goswami & Riya Roy & Dipjyoti Gangopadhyay & Poulami Sen & Kalyan Roy & Sukamal Sarkar & Sanchayeeta Misra & Krishnendu Ray & Marta Monjardino & Mohammed Mainuddin, 2024. "Understanding Resource Recycling and Land Management to Upscale Zero-Tillage Potato Cultivation in the Coastal Indian Sundarbans," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Fuglie, Keith O., 1999. "Conservation Tillage And Pesticide Use In The Cornbelt," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 31(01), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Varshney, Deepak & Joshi, P. K. & Kumar, A. & Mishra, A. K. & Dubey, S. K., 2022. "Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 160:106067..
    4. Christoph Bader & Jörn Stumpenhausen & Heinz Bernhardt, 2024. "Prediction of the Spatial and Temporal Adoption of an Energy Management System in Automated Dairy Cattle Barns in Bavaria—“CowEnergySystem”," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-13, January.
    5. Paul, Priya Lal Chandra & Bell, Richard W & Barrett-Lennard, Edward G. & Kabir, Enamul, 2020. "Straw mulch and irrigation affect solute potential and sunflower yield in a heavy textured soil in the Ganges Delta," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    6. Bhattacharyya, Kallol & Das, Tanmay & Ray, Krishnendu & Dutta, Sudarshan & Majumdar, Kaushik & Pari, Arnab & Banerjee, Hirak, 2018. "Yield of and nutrient-water use by maize exposed to moisture stress and K fertilizers in an inceptisol of West Bengal, India," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 31-41.
    7. Abd El-Mageed, Taia A. & Semida, Wael M. & Abd El-Wahed, Mohamed H., 2016. "Effect of mulching on plant water status, soil salinity and yield of squash under summer-fall deficit irrigation in salt affected soil," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 1-12.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kaveney, Brooke & Barrett-Lennard, Edward & Chau Minh, Khoi & Dang Duy, Minh & Nguyen Thi, Kim Phuong & Kristiansen, Paul & Orgill, Susan & Stewart-Koster, Ben & Condon, Jason, 2023. "Inland dry season saline intrusion in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta is driving the identification and implementation of alternative crops to rice," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    2. Wade, Tara & Kurkalova, Lyubov & Secchi, Silvia, 2016. "Modeling Field-Level Conservation Tillage Adoption with Aggregate Choice Data," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 41(2), May.
    3. Qu, Zhaoming & Chen, Qi & Feng, Haojie & Hao, Miao & Niu, Guoliang & Liu, Yanli & Li, Chengliang, 2022. "Interactive effect of irrigation and blend ratio of controlled release potassium chloride and potassium chloride on greenhouse tomato production in the Yellow River Basin of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    4. Mitchell, Paul D., 2011. "Economic Assessment of the Benefits of Chloro-s-triazine Herbicides to U.S. Corn, Sorghum, and Sugarcane Producers," Staff Paper Series 564, University of Wisconsin, Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    5. Teklewold, Hailemariam & Kassie, Menale & Shiferaw, Bekele & Köhlin, Gunnar, 2013. "Cropping system diversification, conservation tillage and modern seed adoption in Ethiopia: Impacts on household income, agrochemical use and demand for labor," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 85-93.
    6. L. Toma & A. P. Barnes & L.-A. Sutherland & S. Thomson & F. Burnett & K. Mathews, 2018. "Impact of information transfer on farmers’ uptake of innovative crop technologies: a structural equation model applied to survey data," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 864-881, August.
    7. Guo, Shuhao & Li, Xianyue & Šimůnek, Jirí & Wang, Jun & Zhang, Yuehong & Wang, Ya'nan & Zhen, Zhixin & He, Rui, 2024. "Experimental and numerical evaluation of soil water and salt dynamics in a corn field with shallow saline groundwater and crop-season drip and autumn post-harvest irrigations," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    8. Nasser Al-Suhaibani & Mostafa Selim & Ali Alderfasi & Salah El-Hendawy, 2021. "Integrated Application of Composted Agricultural Wastes, Chemical Fertilizers and Biofertilizers as an Avenue to Promote Growth, Yield and Quality of Maize in an Arid Agro-Ecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-26, July.
    9. Rezitis, Anthony & Mishra, Ashok & Kumar, Shalander, . "Indians Demanding More Plant-Based Protein but Farmers' Profits Drop: Empirical Evidence to Understand the Dilemma," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 49(01).
    10. Qu, Zhaoming & Qi, Xingchao & Liu, Yanli & Liu, Kexin & Li, Chengliang, 2020. "Interactive effect of irrigation and polymer-coated potassium chloride on tomato production in a greenhouse," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    11. Kate Vaiknoras & Catherine Larochelle, 2023. "Training and seed production spillovers and technology adoption: The case of seed producer groups in Nepal," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 54(6), pages 921-942, November.
    12. Yan, Sihui & Zhang, Tibin & Zhang, Binbin & Feng, Hao & Siddique, Kadambot H.M., 2024. "Adverse effects of Ca2+ on soil structure in specific cation environments impacting macropore-crack transformation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    13. Edward D. Perry & GianCarlo Moschini & David A. Hennessy, 2016. "Testing for Complementarity: Glyphosate Tolerant Soybeans and Conservation Tillage," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 98(3), pages 765-784.
    14. Knowler, Duncan & Bradshaw, Ben, 2007. "Farmers' adoption of conservation agriculture: A review and synthesis of recent research," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 25-48, February.
    15. Sparling, Beth & Brethour, Cher, 2007. "An Economic Evaluation of Beneficial Management Practices for Crop Nutrients in Canadian Agriculture," Annual Meeting, 2007, July 29-August 1, Portland, Oregon 10249, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society.
    16. Lankoski, Jussi E. & Ollikainen, Markku & Uusitalo, Pekka, 2005. "To Till or Not to Till? Social Profitability of No-Till Technology," 2005 International Congress, August 23-27, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark 24755, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    17. Abd El-Mageed, Taia A. & El- Samnoudi, Ibrahim M. & Ibrahim, Abd El-Aty M. & Abd El Tawwab, Ahmed R., 2018. "Compost and mulching modulates morphological, physiological responses and water use efficiency in sorghum (bicolor L. Moench) under low moisture regime," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 431-439.
    18. Abdul Nafeo Abdulai & Awal Abdul-Rahaman & Gazali Issahaku, 2021. "Adoption and diffusion of conservation agriculture technology in Zambia: the role of social and institutional networks," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 23(4), pages 761-780, October.
    19. Mitchell, Paul D., 2011. "Estimating Soil Erosion and Fuel Use Changes and Their Monetary Values with AGSIM: A Case Study for Triazine Herbicides," Staff Paper Series 563, University of Wisconsin, Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    20. Xiaotong Xin & Zhanxiang Sun & Jibing Xiao & Wei Bai & Zhe Zhang & Han Yan, 2023. "Efficient Utilization Mechanism of Soil Moisture and Nutrients with Ridge Film Furrow Seeding Technology of Sloping Farmlands in Semi-Arid and Rain-Fed Areas," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-13, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:563-:d:1607543. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.