Potential for zero-tillage technique in rice and other field crop cultivation in rice-based cropping systems in the dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka

The high production cost and scarcity of water for crop cultivation are some of the major problems faced by farmers in many rice-based cropping systems in the country. In many crop production systems, around 15-20 % of the total cost of production accounts for tillage/land preparation, such activities also consume around 15 % of the total water requirement. Hence, it is important to adopt technologies that would save water and reduce the cost of cultivation without sacrificing the yield. This paper discusses the adoption of zero-tillage crop establishments in rice and other field crop cultivation in paddy fields in the dry and intermediate zones. Zero-tillage conditions were created by applying the total weed killer, \u2018Glyphosate\u2019 after the fields were drained and subsequently establishing crops without tillage. Results of six seasons on rice cultivation show that the rice crop could be established under zero-tillage conditions (without tillage) without significantly affecting the yield. This practice helps to cut down the total cost of cultivation by around 15 %, and save water at least for a period of 1-2 weeks, and shorten considerably, the time taken for land preparation. Similarly, many crops such as green gram, cowpea, black gram and maize could be cultivated under zero-tillage conditions. Experiences show that zero-tillage technology has many advantages over conventional tillage. Hence, more attention needs to be given to develop the appropriate machinery to suit zero-tillage conditions and at the same time, to fine-tune technologies to suit the different cropping systems as well.