CONSERVATION TILLAGE SYSTEMS & FARMER'S PRACTICE IN CORN PRODUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES

摘要

The potential of conservation tillage systems to improve corn yields while reducing production costs and conserving soil and water resources was tested through on-farm trials in 3 municipalities in 3 provinces; namely San Jose in Mindoro Occidental; Calabanga in Camarines Sur; and Mahaplag in Leyte. A total of 11 farmer-partners cooperated in the conduct of the study. Treatments included conventional tillage; minimum tillage; zero tillage and farmer's tillage; which were tested either as single factor or in factorial with corn variety and with fertilizer. Results in Mindoro and Leyte revealed that variations in grain yield were mainly due to tillage practices. Moreover; conservation tillage practices; ie; zero tillage for Mindoro and minimum tillagefor Leyte; resulted in the highest grain yield of about 5.29 tons /ha for both Mindoro and Leyte. In the case of Camarines Sur; yield was not significantly affected by any of the treatment combinations applied (tillage x variety). Zero tillage obtainedthe highest grain yield (2.88 tons/ha); followed closely by minimum tillage with 2.79 tons/ha. From these trials; there are indications that conservation tillage management generally results in higher grain yield than farmer's tillage. Conservation tillage is thus a viable option for corn production. Benefits obtained in adopting conservation tillage is further realized in terms of economic returns; where the highest net benefit is obtained due to the lowest production costs. In addition; when the soilsurface is left undisturbed; soil moisture is conserved at a time when and in places where long dry periods are a problem.