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Potential of Modified Reduced Tillage with Cover/Green Manure Crop for Climate Change Mitigation in a Smallholder Rainfed Farming System

Author

Listed:
  • Nabeeha Javed

    (Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, PMAS Arid Agricultural University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan)

  • Shahzada Sohail Ijaz

    (Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, PMAS Arid Agricultural University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan)

  • Qaiser Hussain

    (Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, PMAS Arid Agricultural University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Ansar

    (Department of Agronomy, PMAS Arid Agricultural University, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan)

  • Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei

    (Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Bader O. Almutairi

    (Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Wajid Zaman

    (Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea)

  • Munazza Yousra

    (Land Resources Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad 45500, Pakistan)

Abstract

Soil can function as a reservoir and a source of greenhouse gases (GHGs), contingent on its management. This study assesses the potential of a modified reduced tillage (MRT) approach involving the use of cover or green manure crops as a substitute for crop residues to mitigate GHG emissions from soil within smallholder rainfed farming systems. A two-year field experiment with different tillage techniques (moldboard plow, tine cultivator, and modified reduced tillage) and crop rotations (summer fallow–wheat and cover/green manure–wheat) was conducted at Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The results showed that MRT reduced carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions by 8% and 15.3%, respectively, from soil while maintaining consistently higher soil moisture than conventional tillage techniques. The modified reduced tillage reduced the global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) by 15.8% and 20.7%, respectively. The net ecosystem exchange (NEE) was unaffected by the tillage systems. Therefore, adopting the MRT technique and incorporating green manure is a viable strategy for curtailing GHG emissions from soil, particularly in the context of smallholder rainfed farming systems. Extended, multi-year studies under various climate scenarios and agronomic practices are needed to understand the long-term impacts of MRT and crop rotations on GHG emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nabeeha Javed & Shahzada Sohail Ijaz & Qaiser Hussain & Muhammad Ansar & Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei & Bader O. Almutairi & Wajid Zaman & Munazza Yousra, 2024. "Potential of Modified Reduced Tillage with Cover/Green Manure Crop for Climate Change Mitigation in a Smallholder Rainfed Farming System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:11:p:4781-:d:1408492
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pushpam Kumar & Uwe A. Schneider, 2008. "Greenhouse gas emission mitigation through agriculture," Working Papers FNU-155, Research unit Sustainability and Global Change, Hamburg University, revised Feb 2008.
    2. Eric A. Davidson & Ivan A. Janssens, 2006. "Temperature sensitivity of soil carbon decomposition and feedbacks to climate change," Nature, Nature, vol. 440(7081), pages 165-173, March.
    3. Schneider, Uwe A. & Kumar, Pushpam, 2008. "Greenhouse Gas Mitigation through Agriculture," Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 23(1), pages 1-5.
    4. Uwe A. Schneider & Pete Smith, 2008. "Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation and Emission Intensities in Agriculture," Working Papers FNU-164, Research unit Sustainability and Global Change, Hamburg University, revised Jul 2008.
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