FAQ: Residue management

66. How to manage the loose straw?
In manually harvested fields, there is no residue management problem. Loose straw problems arise from combining when machine throws a swath of straws in a row. These loose straws need to be removed or spread evenly in field to avoid raking problems in front of the tines. Loose straw do not much problem when coulter type disc planters or the punch planters are used. In order to reduced loose residue problem, mechanical spreaders can be fitted with commercially available models of the combine harvesters for even distribution of the straws in the fields.

67. What are the harmful effects of residue burning?
Burning of crop residues cause air pollution and waste precious nutrients for the plants. Burning of residues also adversely affect the beneficial soil micro- flora and fauna.

68. Do anchored and loose residues left by combine interfere with ZT operation?
Only loose residue, interfere with ZT operation. In drills tines with "Inverted T" or chisel type openers are adjusted on the 3-bars frame in such a way that anchored and loose straws could flow through easily between the two tine-rows. Alternatively, one can use coulter type disc openers , the punch wheel type seeding machines.

69. What is the optimum height of the stubbles for zero-till sowing of wheat?
Normally straight anchored straws of cereal crops normally do not pose problem in operation of the zero till drills. It is difficult to avoid raking problem in the event of crop lodging. When crop residues in 25-30 cm height are left on the surface, an estimated 3- 4 tons of organics are returned to soil.

70. How to control the sprouting of anchored rice stubble?
There is no need to control the sprouting of anchored rice stubble. It is seen that the sprouts begin to dry up soon after temperature begins to fall in winter season by middle of December.

71. Would anchored stubbles interfere with manual harvesting of wheat?
No, by the harvest of wheat the rice stubbles get decomposed.

72. Does retention of anchored straw in ZT improves the soil health?
Yes, residues increasing the organic matter, serve as source of energy for the fauna which facilitate ‘biological tillage’ in no-till systems. Stubbles increase the earthworm population, predator diversity and their density in the field Thus, crop residues increase organic carbon, enrich plant nutrients and also improve soil health .

73. Will creating mulch by chopping of anchored stubbles with shrub master be helpful in early growth and vigor of plants?
Yes, creating mulch help in conserving soil moisture, controlling weeds and moderating the soil temperature. In controlled traffic conditions it is easy to create mulch by chopping of anchored straws.

74. Does any specific crop residues increase the incidence of some specific plant disease?
Rapid change over to no-till/ reduced till is exemplified by increasing coverage in several cereals. The significance of relationship between some pathogen and abundance of residues should be kept in mind while opting for incorporation/ retention strategy. It is difficult to say that incorporation of crop residues as in conventional tillage will always reduce the incidence of the diseases. Traditionally residues are incorporated. In no-till system residues are retained on the soil surface. Farmers have both the options in reduced till system. Some plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria could be carried over on residues of diseased plants of previous season crop or the crop residues are colonized by pathogen after the crop is harvested. It is suggested to consult an expert if previous crop has significant disease infestation or disease infestation is increasing.

75. Do crop residues increase termite problems in areas having deep ground water table situations?
Termites are generally a problem in hot arid and semiarid conditions. Termite move deeper into soil layers during winter season but begin to move upwards in monsoon season when water table begin to rise. Presence of crop residues on soil surface, and upward moving termites likely will provide good food substrate.