Resource utilization and sustainability of conservation-based rice-wheat cropping systems in Central Asia [Elektronische Ressource] / Krishna Prasad Devkota

Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung _______________________________________________________________ Resource utilization and sustainability of conservation-based rice-wheat cropping systems in Central Asia Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades Doktor der Agrarwissenschaften (Dr. agr.) der Hohen Landwirtschaftlichen Fakultät der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Bonn vorgelegt am im Mai 2011 von KRISHNA PRASAD DEVKOTA aus GORKHA,NEPAL 1. Referent: Prof. Dr. P.L.G. Vlek 2. Referent: Prof. Dr. Frank A. Ewert Tag der Promotion: 12.07. 2011 Erscheinungsjahr: 2011 Diese Dissertation ist auf dem Hochschulschriftenserver der ULB Bonn http://hss.ulb.uni-bonn.de/diss_online elektronisch publiziert ABSTRACT Excessive and inefficient water use, intensive soil tillage and decreasing soil fertility have caused land degradation and desertification, which are threatening the sustainability of rice-wheat systems in the irrigated lowlands of Central Asia. Water-saving and conservation agriculture (CA) practices such as alternate wet and dry irrigation (WAD), direct seeding on raised beds, zero tillage flat lands, and residue retention can help counterbalancing these threats.