The improper management of agricultural soils in all countries across the globe has led to soil degradation, which has led to negative environmental and economic impacts, particularly with the practice of continuously planting crops. This is especially true in countries where agriculture is practised. Farmers in Brazil have been at the forefront of efforts to improve and preserve their country’s soil. The most significant distinction between the method utilised by farmers in Brazil and that utilised by farmers in other countries is that the Brazilian farmers have realised that the preservation of soil is not a one-time process but rather an ongoing method.
Mr. Reeves said Growing a grass or cereal cover crop as part of this eco-friendly method results in the production of a substantial amount of biomass—typically between 4 and 8 metric tons of dry matter per hectare—which can be utilised in the system. Pearl millet is the most widely used cover crop in the Cerrado, which is the primary cotton-growing region in Brazil. Other cover crops are also used.
Pearl millet has a growing season that overlaps with cotton, which is convenient. A few weeks before planting cotton, the cover crop is eradicated with a herbicide or mechanically using large rollers or chain drags. This is done in preparation for planting cotton. This results in the stems of the cover crop being laid flat on the surface of the soil, creating a dense mat of residue or straw that completely covers the soil.
The cotton is then seeded directly into the soil beneath the mulch using planting equipment that was specifically designed to avoid the need for tillage. The soil is left undisturbed with the exception of a thin strip that is between 2 and 5 centimetres wide where the seeds are planted. Mr. Reeves added There are numerous advantages to this. The soil is not turned with a plough, and the cover crop mulch completely covers it. This protects the soil from wind and soil erosion, improves root growth by shading and cooling the soil, reduces the need for herbicides, prevents weed growth, and saves a significant amount of water. When Mr. Reeves was asked about the increase in yields, he responded by asserting that yields are almost always increased in comparison to the older system of using the plough. The mulching effect that the cover crop provides, in conjunction with the removal of tillage, helps increase the amount of rain that is absorbed by the soil, which in turn reduces the amount of water lost to runoff and erosion. Cotton is less likely to be damaged by drought as a result of this, leading to increased yields.
The elimination of competition from weeds is another factor that contributes to increased crop yields. Last but not least, an increase in soil productivity over time results from the addition of carbon to the soil and its subsequent conservation in organic matter. When soil productivity is increased, root growth is improved, which in turn leads to an increase in biodiversity, a reduction in disease incidence, and a more efficient use of plant nutrients.
Over the course of a longer period of time, this system will remove carbon from the air during photosynthesis and store it in the crop residue and the soil. This process lowers the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, which contributes to the reduction of global warming.
As a result of the carbon being stored in the organic matter of the soil, both the quality of the soil and its productivity are enhanced, which ultimately leads to increased crop yields. Cotton that is grown using this system has the same quality as cotton that is grown using traditional methods, but less environmentally friendly means, according to Mr. Donald, who responded to a question about whether the system leads to a better quality product. In this system, there is less stress caused by drought on the cotton plants, which may allow for an improvement in the quality of the fibers produced.
Mr. Reeves also mentioned The farmers who grow cotton in Brazil benefit economically from this system because it makes cotton production more sustainable. While keeping yields steady, it brings down the costs of the inputs. It makes it possible to use less time, machinery, labor, and chemicals than would otherwise be required. Because of this, Brazilian cotton production is able to better compete on the international market. I have also noticed that as a consequence of utilizing this system, farmers have more time to spend with their families. This is something that has been brought to my attention.
Throughout the 1990s, Brazil was a significant importer of raw cotton, bringing in between 1.5 and 2 million bales of the material on an annual basis. On the other hand, it has recently turned into a net exporter. Farmers in drought-prone countries would enjoy greater economic success if they adopted the Brazilian method of cotton cultivation, which, in turn, would encourage more countries to adopt this method.
Reference:
Wayne Reeves, D. “Cotton Cultivation, Brazilian Cotton Production, Fibre2fashion.Com.” Fibre2fashion.Com, Fibre2Fashion, 7 Apr. 2008, https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/3214/brazilian-cotton-production.
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