Minimal tillage in cassava cultivation on peat

S. L. Tan

Abstract

Tillage in cassava cultivation on peat may be reduced from two rounds of rototilling in the first season of cropping to a single round prior to liming. It was found that lime could be broadcast without subsequent incorporation provided the land had been tilled beforehand. ln the second season of cropping, instead of clearing surface weeds by one round of rototilling, these were controlled chemically prior to planting. A significant yield increase of 10 t/ha over the normal tillage practice was recorded using this system over the two seasons of cropping. As a result of reduced costs and increased yield an additional net income of M$1 323.50/ha ovel the two cropping seasons was achieved with reduced tillage in cassava cultivation.

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