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.:: Lao Knowledge Base on Conservation Agriculture ::.

Changes in soil aggregation, soil water-holding capacity and soil biological activity under no-till systems and cropping sequences in the Lao PDR Featured

Author(s)
Florent Tivet, Hoà Tran Quoc, Johnny Boyer, Chansamone Inthavong, Sompasith Senephansiri, Laty Keodouangsy, Thisadee Chounlamountry, Chanthasone Khamxaykhay, Khamkeo Panyasiri, Lucien Séguy
Media Type
Workshop
Published in
Regional Workshop on Conservation Agriculture, Phonsavanh, Xieng Khouang, Lao PDR
Publication Date
2008-10-28
To
2008-10-31
File 1
S2_4_Changes in soil aggregation.pdf
Changes in soil aggregation, soil water-holding capacity and soil biological activity under no-till systems and cropping sequences in the Lao PDR
In the four southern districts (Kenthao, Paklay, Boten and Thongmixay) of Sayaboury province, the current cropping systems are based on cash crop production. Maize is the main crop under rainfed conditions and covers more than 30,000 ha in the region. This development has been enhanced by Thai demand, with a transfer of technologies (different means of production, such as tractors, ploughs, hybrid maize seeds and pesticides) from that country. Land preparation is mainly based on ploughing (up to a slope of 45%), generating severe soil degradation and infrastructure destruction (paddy fields and roads). Herbicides are widely used for land preparation and weed management. That use is the result of both growing pressure on agricultural systems (to increase their productivity and generate marketable commodities) and farmers’ lack of access to affordable labour. Soil potentials in the Kenthao, Paklay and Botene districts are very closely related to the soil parent materials (igneous rocks, schist and sandstone). In Kenthao district, the soil organic carbon (SOC) under ‘natural’ vegetation is estimated at 86.5 Mg.ha-1 (0-20 cm). SOC measured in cultivated fields (rotational swidden system over several decades and tillage for 15 years) is half of that initial amount (43.6 Mg.ha-1). This region has experienced significant rural growth related to Thai market demand. However, even very good soils with high potential for agricultural development can be rapidly degraded. NAFRI, in partnership with CIRAD, implemented the Lao National Agro-Ecology Programme to create, adjust and optimize smallholder alternative cropping systems based on the principles of conservation agriculture and direct seeding mulch-based cropping (DMC) systems. The main objectives were to develop innovative systems that can help to preserve soil, water and nutrients in order to achieve long-term land sustainability, so as to obtain more reliable harvests and higher farm profits. Read more: presentation; poster


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