Do soil profile remain dry due reduced intake of water in zero-till system ?
Farmers practice zero-till system in two ways- i) planting a crop after complete removal or burning of the residues of the preceding crop, and ii) partial burning and removal of residues partially. In the presence of anchored or loose stubbles, usually 3-4 tons/ha, crop residues act as surface mulch, reducing evaporation losses, thereby improving the profile soil moisture storage for a longer time period.
