Managing Global Resources for a Secure Future

2017 Annual Meeting | Oct. 22-25 | Tampa, FL

383-5 Keeping Organic Matter in the Field through Improved Mechanization.

See more from this Division: ASA Section: Global Agronomy
See more from this Session: Symposium--Soil Organic Matter Management Alternatives for Smallholders

Wednesday, October 25, 2017: 11:45 AM
Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Kerry M. Clark, MO, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO and Kristin Bilyeu, USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO
Abstract:
Organic matter depletion in crop fields in Africa is a serious problem and is often caused by removal of plants or plant residue for collective threshing, use as animal fodder or burning. An advantage of mechanized harvest through a motorized combine is that residue is left in the field in the wake of the machine. Because combines are not generally affordable or accessible for smallholder farmers, a small thresher that can be moved around in a field is the only viable replacement for mechanized harvesting. Coupled with good education and demonstration, mechanization can lead to lower crop residue loss in smallholder fields. A useful design coupled with local fabrication training helps make thresher use more sustainable.

See more from this Division: ASA Section: Global Agronomy
See more from this Session: Symposium--Soil Organic Matter Management Alternatives for Smallholders