Volume 8 | Issue - 9
Volume 8 | Issue - 9
Volume 8 | Issue - 9
Volume 8 | Issue - 9
Volume 8 | Issue - 9
In order to integrate climate resilience agricultural practices into wheat cultivation, the impact of innovative vs conventional sowing systems was compared by evaluating agronomic performance and economic efficiency of wheat as mono-crop and intercropped with other crops in three wheat growing districts (Sanghar, Badin, Umarkot) of Sindh province. Twelve wheat growers were selected to adopt innovative sowing systems i.e. 4 growers in Sanghar (Raised bed, Ridges, Ridges-Intercrop Brassica); 3 growers from Badin (Raised bed, Ridges, Ridges-Intercrop Brassica, Drilling-ZT), Umarkot (Raised bed, Ridges, Drilling, Ridges-Intercrop Brassica, ridges-intercrop [Fresh Sugarcane], Drilling-ZT Intercropping (Ratoon Sugarcane).At all 12 demonstration plots through a comprehensive training program, 600 growers were trained to meet the climate change challenge and integrating climate resilience agricultural practices. The results revealed that grain yield of wheat under at growers’ fields varied between 24.66 and 33.22 maunds/acre among 12 growers and ridge sowing yields were slightly lower than those from raised beds but still offer a marked improvement over conventional system. However, Brassica offered some agronomic benefits, but did not consistently maximize grain yield. The drilling technique also shows promising results in certain fields. When comparing sowing techniques, raised bed sowing emerges as the most effective for increasing wheat grain yield, with yields often exceeding 60 maunds/acre. Ridge sowing also offers substantial improvements over traditional practices, though it generally results in slightly lower yields than raised beds. Wheat-Brassica intercrop on ridges and drilling provided alternative options. Across selected growers, growers’ yields remained low, ranging between 24.66 and 33.22 maunds/acre. In contrast, the demonstration plots using techniques such as raised beds, ridges, and drilling showed significant yield increases, often exceeding 50 maunds/acre, with some plots reaching as high as 63.2 maunds/acre. Raised beds, such as, improve root aeration and reduce water logging, while ridge sowing ensures better drainage and moisture retention. However, while these techniques clearly outperformed growers' practices, their adoption may be influenced by factors such as cost, labor requirements, and farmer familiarity, which can affect their practical implementation. Results on wheat production from various planting combinations (such as zero-tillage, drilling, and sugarcane) and farmer techniques sheds important light on the ways in which these methods affect crop productivity. The yield that was predicted and the yield obtained using standard procedures differed. Drilling and zero-tillage combined with even little tillage changes can improve soil structure, improve moisture retention, and increase wheat production. These figures do a good job of illustrating the trade-offs involved with mixed cropping systems.