Agricultural mismanagement of soils in all countries acrossthe globe has resulted in soil degradation, with consequent negativeenvironmental and economic impacts especially with the practice of continuousplanting of crops.

Farmers in Brazil have taken the lead in development andconservation of soil. The biggest difference between the system adopted byBrazilian farmers and other countries is that the former have understood thatconservation of soil is a long drawn system and not a one time application.

In order to create awareness among our valued readers of theBrazilian model of cotton cultivation, Fibre2fashion spoke exclusively to Mr Donald Reeves, tounderstand the cultivation methods adopted by the Brazilians. Mr. Reeves is anAgri-Research Leader with J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resource ConservationCenter, Georgia, an autonomous body under the USDA. Mr. Reeves has doneextensive research on the Brazilian method of farming & is trying to get itadopted in America.

Mr. Reeves said This environmentally friendly systeminvolves growing a grass or cereal cover crop which makes a large amount ofbiomass, usually 4 to 8 metric tons per hectare of dry matter. Various covercrops are used, but the most popular in the main cotton growing region, the Cerrado,is pearl millet.

The growing season of Pearl millet complements that ofcotton. A few weeks prior to cotton planting, the cover crop is terminated withherbicide or mechanically using large rollers or chain drags.

This lays the stems of the cover crop flat on the soilsurface, providing a thick mat of residue or straw which completely covers thesoil.

The cotton is then seeded directly into the soil beneath themulch using specially designed no-tillage planting equipment. The soil remainsundisturbed except for a narrow (2-5 cm wide) area where the seed are placed.

Mr. Reeves added The benefits are multifold. The soil isnot touched by a plow, and the cover crop mulch completely covers the soil,protecting it from wind and soil erosion, shading and cooling the soil forbetter root growth, suppressing weeds and reducing the need for herbicides, anddramatically conserving water.

When asked about improvement in yields, Mr Reeves assertedby saying Yields are almost always increased compared to the older system ofusing the plow. The mulching effect of the cover crop combined with theelimination of tillage increases the infiltration of rain, reducing wastes fromrunoff and erosion. This reduces drought stress on the cotton, increasing yields.

Yields are also increased by the reduction of competitionfrom weeds. Finally the soil productivity is increased over time from theaddition and conservation of soil carbon in organic matter. Improved soilproductivity results in better root growth, increased biodiversity and fewerdiseases, and better use of plant nutrients.

In the longer term, this system takes carbon from theatmosphere during photosynthesis and stores it in the crop residue and soil.This process reduces carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and helps to mitigateglobal warming.

The carbon is stored in the soil organic matter and thisimproves the soil quality and productivity of the soil, leading to higheryields over time.

To a question whether the system leads to better quality,Mr. Donald said Cotton grown with this system is of the same quality as thatgrown with traditional methods, but less environmentally friendly means. Ifanything, fibre quality can be improved because there is less drought stress onthe cotton plants in this system.

Mr Reeves added This system makes cotton production more economically sustainable for the Brazilian cotton farmer. It reduces input costs and maintains yields. It allows for fewer inputs of time, machinery, labor and chemicals.

This makes Brazilian cotton production more competitive in the global market. I have also observed that as a result of using this system that farmers have more time to spend with their families.

Through the 90s Brazil was a significant importer of raw cotton with annual imports of 1.5 to 2 million bales. However, it has now become a net exporter. If the Brazilian method of cotton cultivation was to be encouraged by the drought prone countries, it would lead to more economic prosperity among its farmers.

About the Author:

The author is associated with J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resource Conservation Center, GA.

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