Surface Seeding of Wheat: A Sustainable Way towards Climate Resilience Agriculture

Conventional tillage (CT)-based agriculture is known to be ecologically indiscreet, economically and environmentally unsustainable, and leads to the degradation of soil and the environment in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The surface seeding (SS) method was introduced to manage agro-ecosystems for sustaining productivity and increasing farmers' profits, while sustaining the natural resources. Here, we conducted a systematic literature review on SS of wheat reported in the IGP, with the aim to cover the concept of SS, its impact on wheat yield, soil properties, and the environment, with the potential benefits and constraints. The major findings are: (i) an SS-based rice-wheat system improves productivity (similar to 10%) and profitability (20-30%),while employing a lesser amount of irrigation water (15-30%) and energy input (20-25%) compared to a conventional system; (ii) an SS-based system is more adaptive to extreme climatic conditions, reduces the carbon footprint, and increases crop production; (iii) an SS approach enhances soil health by virtue of increased soil organic carbon and improved soil aggregation, as well as soil, water, and energy conservation; (iv) SS consisting of no-tillage with substantial crop residue retention offers an alternative to crop residue burning. Strong policies/legislation are required to encourage SS of wheat, in order to limit residue burning, and provide farmers with carbon credits in exchange for carbon sequestration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Automated summary

Conventional tillage-based agriculture in the Indo-Gangetic Plain is ecologically unsustainable and leads to soil and environmental degradation. Surface seeding method, on the other hand, improves productivity and profitability, reduces resource use, and enhances soil health. It offers an alternative to crop residue burning and is more adaptive to extreme climatic conditions.