ABSTRACT
Similarly, other inputs, in particular rainfall, are not being efficiently utilized. In irrigated conditions, yield differences were smaller or absent. Yield differences between management practices only became clear after 5 years (10 crop cycles), with a reduction in the yield of permanent raised beds where all residues had been routinely burned. The degradation of the soil can be masked by the application of irrigation water, until yields drop quite suddenly. Similarly, Sain et al. (1994) found that it took three years after setting up the mucuna rotation in Honduras, for the maize yield of the abonera system to be higher compared to the traditional maize-fallow system without abonera. With regard to the effects of CA on the net GWP of the system, the reduction in soil disturbance combined with residue retention reduced the emissions of CO2 compared with conventional tillage without residues retention and maize monoculture.
