Writing multi-authored

books by the Departments of UAF

Guidelines to Authors

Manuscript Submission

• Save each chapter or contribution, including the accompanying references, figure legends, and tables, in
a separate file in .doc or .docx format.
• Give each individual file your own name (or an abbreviation), the chapter number, and the format
suffix, e.g., Ahmad3.doc or Ahmad 3.docx.
• Save the figures separately.
• Keep personal copies of the files.
• Submit the files to the editorial office electronically via e-mail, and CD-ROM, DVD.

Writing Your Text

• You can use all the functions in Word, particularly displayed lists, type styles such as bold or italics,
the indexing function, and the footnote function.
• Use the return key only at the end of a paragraph or after headings, displayed lists, and the like. Do not
insert manual hyphenation, and do not use formats such as framing, centering, or shading.

Type
• Use a single main font for the entire text. We recommend Times Roman.
• For special characters, please use Symbol or Arial Unicode.

Book Structure and Headings

A well-structured text and meaningful headings make it easier for the reader to get a general idea of the content.
In addition, seamless transformation to various formats, such as eBook, requires a certain structure of the book.

Basic Rules
• A book consists of chapters, front matter, and back matter (optional).
• The front matter contains the title page, the table of contents, the preface, and for contributed volumes,
the list of contributors. Optional items in the front matter include a foreword and list of abbreviations.
• Chapters contain the actual content of the book, i.e., text, figures, and tables. Each chapter should
include a reference list; this is vital so that readers of single chapters of the eBook can make full use of
the citations.
• Chapters may be organized in parts. If a book is divided into parts, all chapters should be within a part,
except for an introductory chapter at the beginning of the book. Each part must contain at least one
chapter.
• The back matter may contain an appendix or appendices, a glossary, and/or an index. Avoid including
a reference list in the back matter, because these references will not be linked to the citations in the
chapters.
• Number the chapters continuously throughout the book (do not restart with each part).
• Parts should be numbered with Roman numerals (Part I, Part II, Part III, etc.).
• Please list only the top three levels of headings in the table of contents.
• In cross-references, please give the chapter or section number (e.g., see Sect. 3.5.1).

1
Abstract

Each chapter should be preceded by an abstract (10–15 lines long) that summarizes the content.

Key Words

Each chapter should include a list of 5–10 key words to enhance the chapter’s searchability.

Technical Terms, Abbreviations

• Ensure that the spelling of names, terms, and abbreviations is consistent, including in tables and figure
legends.
• Abbreviations, except for very common ones, must be defined the first time they are used and a list
supplied with the manuscript.
• Please always use internationally accepted signs and symbols for units, so-called SI units.
• Chemical compounds should be named according to the systematic rules of the IUPAC or Chemical
Abstracts.
Please also note the following:
• Species and genus names, mathematical/physical variables, and prefixes in chemical compounds should
be set in italic type (e.g., cis/trans, d/l, E/Z, o/m/p, R/S, t-Bu, tert-butyl).
• L and D indicating optical activity should be set in SMALL CAPS (e.g., D- and L-dopa).

Headings
All subject heads used in your text should appear in outline form in the table of contents in the following style:

1.1. First Level Heading

1.1.1. Second level heading
1.1.1.1. Third level heading
i. Fourth level heading
Be sure to make sure the levels are clearly indicated using different fonts, type sizes, and/or typefaces for each
level heading.

Tables

• Number the tables consecutively using the chapter number (e.g., Table 1.1) and ensure that all the tables
are cited in the text in the correct order.
• Give each table a heading.
• To format the table columns, use the table function.
• Do not use the space bar to separate columns, and do not use Excel to create tables.
• If a table cell is to be left empty, please type a hyphen ( - ) in it.
• Please do not treat simple, one-column lists as tables, but instead set them as part of the running text.
Use the displayed list function instead.
• Save the tables in the same file as the text, references, and figure legends; put each table on a separate
page.

2
References

Reference Citations

Cite references in the text by name and year in parentheses. Some examples:
• one author: (Ahmad 2013)
• two authors: (Ahmad and Farooq 2014)
• three or more authors: (Ahmad et al. 2014)

Reference List
Each chapter should contain a reference list of its own. Entries in the list must be listed alphabetically, except
for those following the numbered system of sequential citation. The rules for alphabetization are as follows:

• first, all works by the author alone, ordered chronologically by year of publication
• next, all works by the author with a coauthor, ordered alphabetically by coauthor
• finally, all works by the author with several coauthors, ordered chronologically by year of publication.

Personal communications and unpublished works should only be mentioned in the text. Do not use footnotes as
a substitute for a reference list.

Reference list entries should be alphabetized by the last names of the first author of each work.

Journal article

Farooq, M., K. Flower, K. Jabran, A. Wahid and K.H.M. Siddique (2011). Crop yield and weed management in
rainfed conservation agriculture. Soil Till. Res. 117: 172–183.

Farooq, M., N. Kobayashi, O. Ito, A. Wahid and R. Serraj (2010). Broader leaves result in better performance of
indica rice under drought stress. J. Plant Physiol. 167: 1066–1075

Book

Cheema, Z.A., M. Farooq and A. Wahid (2012). Allelopathy: Current Trends and Future Applications.
Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg 69121, Germany.

Book chapter
Farooq, M., A. Wahid, S.M.A. Basra and K.H.M. Siddique (2010). Improving crop resistance to abiotic stresses
through seed invigoration. In: Pessarakli, M. (ed). Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress, 3rd Edition, Taylor and
Francis Group, LLC 6000 Broken Sound Parkway, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487. pp. 1031–1050.

Online document
Leubner, G. (2014). Seed dormancy. http://www.seedbiology.de/dormancy.asp.
Accessed on 03 March 2014

Dissertation
Ahmad, N. (2012). Syetem productivity of conventional and conservation rice-wheat production systems. M.Sc.
(Hons) Dissertation, Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

3
Sources

If you copy text passages, figures, or tables from other works, you must obtain permission from the copyright
holder (usually the original publisher) for both print and online formats. Please enclose the signed permission
with the manuscript. Please be aware that some publishers do not grant electronic rights for free and that we will
not be able to refund any costs that may have been incurred in receiving these permissions. As an alternative,
material from other sources should be used.
The source must be acknowledged in the legend or table heading. If the source is in a foreign language,
please provide a translation.

Figures and Illustration Data

Digital Illustrations

For the best quality final product, it is highly recommended that you submit all your artwork—photographs, line
drawings, etc.—in an electronic format. The published work will directly reflect the quality of the artwork
provided.

Electronic Figure Submission

• Name your figure files with your name, “Fig,” and the figure number, e.g., Ahmad-Fig1.eps.
• Indicate what graphics program was used to create the artwork.

Line Art Black and white graphic with no shading.

• Check that all lines and lettering within the figures are legible at final size. All lines should be at least
0.1 mm (0.3 pt) wide.
• Line drawings should have a minimum resolution of 1200 dpi at a width of 3 inches.
• Vector graphics containing fonts must have the fonts embedded in the files.

Halftone Art Photographs, drawings, or paintings with fine shading, etc.

• Halftones must be submitted in JPEG or TIFF format. Power Point slides are not acceptable.
• If any magnification is used in the photographs, indicate this by using scale bars within the figures
themselves.
• Halftones should have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi at a width of 3 inches. An exception may be
the case of a radiographic image that cannot be reproduced in high-resolution format because the
settings of the radiographic equipment did not produce a high-quality image originally.

Combination Art A combination of halftone and line art, e.g., halftones containing line drawing, extensive
lettering, color diagrams, etc.
• Combination artwork should have a minimum resolution of 600 dpi at a width of 3 inches.

Figure Lettering
• To add lettering, it is best to use Helvetica or Arial (sans serif fonts) and avoid effects such as shading,
outline letters, etc.
• Keep lettering consistently sized throughout your final-sized artwork, usually about 2–3 mm (8–12 pt).
• Variance of type size within an illustration should be minimal, e.g., do not use 8 pt type on an axis and
20 pt type for the axis label.
• Do not include titles or captions in your illustrations.

4
Figure Captions and Numbering
• Number the figures consecutively using the chapter number (e.g., Fig. 1.1). Figure parts should be
denoted by lowercase letters (a, b, c, etc.).
• Each figure should have a concise caption describing accurately what the figure depicts. Include the
captions in the text file of the manuscript, not in the figure file.
• In the figure caption, identify and explain all elements in the figure (e.g., boxes, circles, arrows).
• Identify previously published material by giving the original source in the form of a reference citation at
the end of the figure caption.

Figure Size
• When preparing your figures, size figures to fit in the page width.
• For most books, the figures should be 78 mm (3 inches) or 117 mm (4.6 inches) wide and no higher
than 198 mm (7.8 inches).

5
Checklist

Title page Title

Name(s) of author(s)

Mailing address(es)

E-mail address of corresponding author

Abstract Abstract for each chapter included

Key words 5–10 key words for each chapter included

Text Text in Times, special characters in Symbol or Unicode

References Reference list included at the end of each chapter

Citations in text agree with the reference list

All entries in the reference list mentioned in the text

References follow the guidelines

Journals abbreviated according to ISSN

Abbreviations List of abbreviations included

Figures All figures mentioned in text enclosed, complete and as separate files

Consecutively numbered within a chapter

Consecutively cited in text

Legends included in the text file

Credit line included in the legend for a previously published figure

Tables Prepared with the table function

Consecutively numbered within a chapter

Consecutively cited in text

Credit line included in the footnote for a previously published table

Electronic manuscript Title of the book and author’s name noted on label

Text files saved in original format

Each chapter saved as a separate file

Graphics saved as separate files in original format and in JPEG or TIFF

format
Permissions Proof that any necessary permissions have been granted for the use of

previously published material

6
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPs)

1. The information for submission of proposals for books will be circulated to the
constituent departments.
2. Both books and practical manuals will be published under the project.
3. An editorial office of the project will be developed in the Department of Agronomy,
UAF.
4. The editor(s) / authors will submit their proposals to the editorial office.
5. One editor should be a UAF faculty member; other editor(s) may be from national and
overseas organizations.
6. Number of editors, of a book, should not exceed three.
7. Editor(s) will invite the scientists / experts from UAF and other local and overseas, public
and private organizations.
8. Chapter authorship should not be restricted within UAF campus.
9. Global authorship is mandatory.
10. These initial proposals will be reviewed by the PI / Co-PI, and if necessary by a review
committee constituted by the PI / Co-PI.
11. The PI and the Co-PI will be managing editor and co-managing editor, respectively of
each published book under the project.
12. Best book proposals will be submitted to international publishers of good repute for
potential publication.
13. The editor(s) will be communicated the decision and if the proposal is acceptable, the
editor(s) will be formally asked for writing the book(s).
14. The editor(s) will make the final editing of the book, strictly following the instructions,
and submit the book material to the editorial office.
15. The number of pages for each book will not be less 200 and will not exceed 350 printed
pages.
16. The editorial office will make necessary arrangements for the preparation of galley proof
and will send them back to the editor(s) for thorough editing / checking.
17. The final version of each book will be posted at the University web in pdf format.
18. The final version will be printed at the University press.
19. Published books will be distributed / marketed by the Endowment Fund Secretariat.
20. A committee constituted by the PI will propose the honorarium for the editor(s), and the
price of each published book.
21. Editor(s) of each book will receive three complimentary copies of the respective book;
whereas corresponding author of each book chapter will receive one complimentary copy
of the respective book;
22. Income from the sale of books will be shared by UAF and EFS as 20:80, respectively.
 Sample Book Proposal

CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

Editors

MUHAMMAD FAROOQ
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan

KADAMBOT H.M. SIDDIQUE

The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009, Australia

1
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Conventional agriculture has largely been characterized by tillage, which leaves soil vulnerable
to erosion. Continuous use of conventional farming practices with conventional tillage and
burning crop residues has degraded the soil resource base and intensified soil degradation by
about 67%, with concomitant decreases in crop production capacity. Soil loss is expected to be a
critical issue for global agricultural production under conventional farming practices. For
instance, global erosion rates from conventionally ploughed agricultural fields averaged one to
two orders of magnitude greater than erosion under native vegetation, long-term geological
erosion and rates of soil production. Likewise, conventional tillage has also made agriculture the
major contributor to global warming due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Soil and
vegetation on the earth’s land surface store three times as much carbon as is present in the earth’s
atmosphere. Land clearing and degradation turn this valuable carbon sink into a major source of
greenhouse gas emissions.
Conservation agriculture is widely recognized as a viable concept of creating a
sustainable agriculture. It is a resource-saving agricultural production system that aims to
achieve production intensification and high yields while enhancing the natural resource base
through compliance with four interrelated principles viz. minimal soil disturbance, permanent
residue cover, planned crop rotations and integrated weed management, along with other good
production practices of plant nutrition and pest management.
Conservation agriculture is environmentally friendly and requires less fuel resulting in
lower carbon dioxide emissions, one of the gases responsible for global warming. In addition,
conservation agriculture is very effective in reducing soil erosion. A wide range of other
environmental benefits in conservation agriculture including reduced run-off, improved nutrient
cycling, reduced soil degradation, reduced soil and water pollution, and enhanced activities of
soil biota.
Conservation agriculture systems with location-specific adjustments works in all kind of
environments/ecologies; from the Equator, e.g. Kenya, Uganda to 50ºS, e.g. Argentina, to 65ºN,
e.g. Finland, sea level to 3000 m, e.g. Bolivia, soils from 90% sand, e.g. Australia, Brazil, to
85% clay, e.g. Brazil (Oxisols, Alfisols) and from 250 mm of rain, e.g. Western Australia to
2
2000 mm, e.g. Brazil, or 3000 mm, e.g. Chile. But, it is spreading widely on large mechanized
farms and rainfed systems. It represents a shift in production paradigm and scientists working on
it struggled till pre-seeding herbicides were made available but there after there is no looking
back.
Although, there have been several recent publications on conservation agriculture
focusing on different aspects of it; however, no single book is available covering basic concepts,
elements, potential benefits, experiences and challenges of conservation agriculture. The
proposed volume will serve as a text book on conservation agriculture focusing on elements of
conservation agriculture, its regional experiences, role of conservation agriculture in sustainable
agriculture, and biological and environmental conservation, its adoption. Crop breeding and
application of biotechnology and microbiology in conservation agriculture will also be covered
in the proposed book.
The proposed book will attract a wide readership from students and researchers in the
field of agronomy, ecology, plant physiology, crop breeding, soil science etc., The proposed
volume will be a ready reference on conservation agriculture and will reinforce the
understanding for its utilization to develop eco-friendly agricultural systems ensuring a peaceful
living on earth to all of us and future generations.

3
 Part 1: Introduction

1. Conservation Agriculture: Concepts, Brief History and Impacts on Agricultural Systems

*
Muhammad Farooq1, 2, Kadambot H.M. Siddique2 and Rattan Lal3
1
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2
The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
3
School of Environment & Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

1.1. Introduction
1.2. History and Adaption of Conservation Agriculture
1.3. Elements of Conservation Agriculture
1.3.1. Permanent or semi-permanent organic soil cover
1.3.2. Minimal soil disturbance
1.3.3. Planned rotations
1.3.4. Weed control in conservation agriculture
1.4. Impacts of Conservation Agriculture on the Productivity of Agricultural Systems
1.5. The Role of Policy and Institutional Support
1.6. Conclusions

Part 2: Elements of Conservation Agriculture

2. Crop Rotations and Residue Management in Conservation Agriculture

*Leonard Rusinamhodzi1 and Justice Nyamangara2
1
CIMMYT, Harare, Zimbabwe.
2
Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

2.1. Introduction
2.2. Crop Rotations in Conservation Agriculture
2.2.1. Meta analysis of yield data from different crop rotations
2.2.2. Constraints to systematic crop rotations
2.3. Crop Residues Management in Conservation Agriculture
2.3.1. Meta analysis of yield data from different crop residues management practices
2.3.2. Constraints to crop residues management
2.4. Future outlook
2.5. Conclusions

3. Weed Management in Conservation Agriculture Systems

*A.R. Sharma, V.P. Singh, K.K. Barman and Raghwendra Singh
Directorate of Weed Science Research, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India 482 004
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

3.1. Introduction
3.3. Weed problems in conservation agricultural systems
3.4. Weed management
3.4.1. Preventive measures
3.4.2. Cultural practices
3.4.3. Mechanical measures
3.4.4. Chemical weed management
3.4.5. Integrated weed management
3.5. Herbicide tolerant crops
3.6. Pay-offs and trade-offs in adopting conservation agricultural systems
3.7. Future outlook
3.8. Conclusions

4
4. Nutrient Management Perspectives in Conservation Agriculture
Christos Dordas
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Department of Agriculture, Laboratory of Agronomy,
University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
E-mail: [email protected]

4.1. Introduction
4.2. Nutrient Management Perspectives
4.2.1. Nutrient use efficiency
4.2.2. Management of N, P and K in sustainable agriculture
4.3. Crop management and its Effect on Nutrient Management
4.3.1. Crop rotations and residue management
4.3.2. Tillage and nutrient management
4.3.3. Impact of conservation agriculture on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria
4.4. Breeding for Better Nutrient Use Efficiency in conservation agriculture
4.4.1. Developing new genotypes for conservation agricultural systems
4.4.2. Use of biotechnology in conservation agriculture
4.5. Nutrient Management and Weed Dynamics in Conservation Agriculture
4.6. Nutrient Management and Insect-pests and Disease Infestation in Conservation Agriculture
4.7. Challenges and Future outlook
4.8. Conclusions

5. Farm Machinery for Conservation Agriculture

*Saidi Mkomwa and Patrick Makungu
African Conservation Tillage Network, KARI NARL Compound, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, Kenya
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

5.1. Introduction
5.2. Mechanised Soil Corrective Operations
5.2.1. Treating compacted soils and hardpans
5.2.2. Removing ridges and furrows
5.2.3. Terraces, bunds or other erosion-control structures on steep-sloped land
5.3. Mechanised Field Preparation Options in Conservation Agriculture
5.3.1. Hand tools for planting basins, pot holes, and ripping
5.3.2. Two wheel and four wheel tractor based ripping systems
5.4. Implements for Mechanical Management of Cover Crops and Weed Control
5.5. Direct Seeding
5.5.1. Manually operated tools and practices
5.5.2. Tractor operated direct seeding equipment
5.6. Resources for Mechanized Conservation Agriculture
5.7. Future Outlook
5.8. Conclusion

6. Managing Insect Pests and Parasitic Weeds in Cereal-Based Cropping Systems through a Conservation
Agriculture Approach

*Zeyaur Khan, Charles Midega, Toby Bruce and John Pickett

International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

6.1. Introduction
6.2. Insect-Pests in Cereal-Based Cropping Systems
6.3. Parasitic Weeds in Cereal-Based Cropping Systems
6.4. Conservation Agriculture for Managing Insect Pests and Parasitic Weeds
6.4.1. Adaptation to climate change
6.4.2. Implementation of conservation agriculture approach
6.5. Challenges and Future Outlook
6.6. Conclusions

5
Part 3 Modeling and Crop Improvement for Conservation Agriculture

7. Breeding for Conservation Agriculture

*T.M. Chattha and R. Trethowan
Plant Breeding Institute, The University of Sydney, Cobbitty, NSW 2570, Australia.
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

7.1. Introduction
7.2. Crop Genetics Operating under Conservation Agriculture and Varietal Improvement
7.3. Success Stories of Breeding for Conservation Agriculture
7.3. Is Current Breeding Methodology Adequate?
7.4. Breeding Targets for Conservation Agriculture
7.5. Future Outlook
7.6. Conclusions

8. Modeling Conservation Agriculture

*Bruno Basso1 and Luigi Sartori2
1
Department of Geological Sciences and W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, USA
2
Department of Agro-Forestry Systems, University of Padova, Italy
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

8.1. Introduction
8.2. A System approach to Conservation Tillage
8.3. Modeling Tillage systems and Residues management
8.3.1. Effects on soil physical, biological and chemical properties
8.3.2. Water dynamics
8.3.3. Carbon turnover
8.3.4. Nutrient dynamics
8.3.5. Effects on crop yield
8.4. Climate Change and Long-Term Impact of Conservation Tillage
8.5. Case Studies
8.6. Future Outlook
8.7. Conclusions

Part 4 Status of Conservation Agriculture: some case studies

9. Conservation Agriculture in the Middle East

*S. Loss1, D. Feindel1, A. Haddad1, Y. Khalil1, A. Alrijabo2 and C. Piggin3
1
International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, Aleppo, Syria
2
University of Mosul, Ninevah, Iraq
3
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra, Australia
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

9.1. Introduction
9.2. Conservation Agriculture in the Fertile Crescent
9.3. Australia’s Gift to the Middle East
9.4. Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Iraq and Syria
9.5. Strategies for Success of Conservation Agriculture
9.5.1. Adaptive Research
9.5.2. Zero-tillage Seeders
9.5.3. Participatory Extension
9.6. Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Other Countries (Iran, Jordan, Lebanon)
9.7. Challenges for of Conservation Agriculture in the Middle East
9.8. Conclusions

6
10. Impact of Conservation Agriculture on Productive Efficiency, Income, Poverty and Food Security in Syrian
*Y. Yigezu1, A. Mugera2 and T. El-Shater1
1
International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, Aleppo, Syria
2
The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

10.1. Introduction
10.2. Measurement of Impact Indicators
10.3. Modelling Impacts
10.4. Impacts of Conservation Agriculture on Productive Efficiency
10.5. Impacts of Conservation Agriculture on Income and Poverty
10.6. Impacts of Conservation Agriculture Technology on Food Security
10.7. Conclusions

11. Conservation Agriculture in South Asia

H. Rehman1, A. Nawaz2 and *M. Farooq2, 3
1
Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan
2
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan
3
The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

11.1. Introduction
11.2. History of Conservation Agriculture in South Asia
11.3. Present state of Conservation Agriculture in South Asia
11.4. Experiences with Conservation Agriculture in South Asia
11.4.1. Crop performance
11.4.2. Soil quality
11.4.3. Weeds, diseases and insect-pests
11.4.4. Environmental impacts of Conservation Agriculture
11.4.4. Economic aspects of Conservation Agriculture
11.5. Challenges for Conservation Agriculture in South Asia
11.5.1. Cultural and economic entrenchment of tillage agriculture
11.5.2. Crop residues and management
11.5.3. Yield levels
11.5.4. Weed, insect-pest and disease challenges
11.5.5. Availability of suitable seeding and planting equipment and inputs
11.5.6. Problem oriented research and training
11.6. Prospects for up-scaling Conservation Agriculture in South Asia
11.6.1. Effects of climate change
11.6.2. Soil and crop management related policies
11.6.3. Evolution of production costs and commodity prices
11.6.4. Regional differences affecting uptake
11.7. Conclusions

12. Conservation Agriculture in South East Asia

*Jean-Claude Legoupil1, Pascal Lienhard1 and Anonh Khamhoung
1
Conservation Agriculture and Systems Engineering, CIRAD, France
2
Department Land Management and Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientina, Laos
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

12.1. Introduction
12.2. History and Current Status of Conservation Agriculture in South East Asia
12.3. Conservation Agriculture and Ecological Intensification: an Alternative to Conventional Farming Systems
12.3.1. Economic returns of conservation agriculture systems at field and farm level
12.3.2. Impact of conservation agriculture on soil fertility and on environment
12.3.3. Carbon sequestration and climate change impact
12.4. Regional challenges
12.4.1. Restoration of soil fertility in degraded areas
12.4.2. Provision of alternatives to slash and burn
12.4.3. Human resources development
12.5. Problems Encountered in Scaling-up the Conservation Agriculture
12.5.1. Local unavailability of suitable implements
12.5.2. Communal grazing and cover crop protection

7
 12.5.3. Un-adapted credit system
12.5.4. Weed management and herbicide use in conservation agriculture systems
12.5.5. High specialization of agriculture at local level
12.5.6. Limited public resources
12.6. Conservation Agriculture Network for South East Asia
12.7. Conclusion

13. Conservation Agriculture in China

*
Lingling Li1, Bill Bellotti2, Renzhi Zhang1 and Hongwen Li3
1
Faculty of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, P.R. China
2
University of Western Sydney, Australia
3
China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

13.1. Introduction
13.2. History of Conservation Agriculture in China
13.3. Present state of Conservation Agriculture in China
13.4. Experiences with Conservation Agriculture in China
13.4.1. Crop performance
13.4.2. Soil quality
13.4.3. Weeds, diseases and insect-pests
13.4.4. Environmental impacts of conservation agriculture
13.4.5. Economic aspects of conservation agriculture
13.5. Challenges for Conservation Agriculture in China
13.5.1. Cultural and economic entrenchment of tillage agriculture
13.5.2. Crop residues and management
13.5.3. Yield levels
13.5.4. Weed, insect-pests and diseases
13.5.5. Availability of suitable seeding and planting equipment and inputs
13.5.6. Unspecific economic support to agriculture
13.5.7. Problem oriented research and training in Conservation Agriculture
13.6. Common and National Policies affecting Conservation Agriculture
13.6.1. Incentives through 2nd pillar agri-environmental measures
13.6.2. Research support
13.6.3. Soil thematic strategy initiative
13.7. Prospects for up-scaling Conservation Agriculture in China
13.7.1. Effects of climate change
13.7.2. Soil and crop management related policies
13.7.3. Evolution of production costs and commodity prices
13.7.4. Regional differences affecting uptake
13.8. Conclusion

14. Conservation Agriculture in Australia and New Zealand

*P. Ward1 and K.H.M. Siddique2
1
Centre of Environment and Life Sciences, CSIRO Plant Industry, Perth, lAustralia
2
The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

I4.1 Introduction
14.2. Experiences of Conservation Agriculture
14.2.1. Zero-tillage
14.2.2. Residue management
14.2.3. Diverse rotations
14.3. Climatic Conditions and Conservation Agriculture
14.3.1. Mediterranean
14.3.2. Temperate
14.3.3. Sub-tropical
14.4. Erosion and Water Balance
14.4.1. Infiltration and soil water storage
14.4.2. Runoff
14.4.3. Evaporation
14.4.4. Deep drainage
14.5. Weed Control
14.6. Future Outlook

8
14.7. Conclusions

15. Conservation Agriculture in Europe

*G. Basch1, T. Friedrich2, A. Kassam3 and E. Gonzalez-Sanchez4
1
Crop Science Department, University of Évora, P-7002-554 ÉVORA, Purtugal
2
Plant Production and Protection Division, Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy
3
School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR, UK.
4
Rural Engineering Department, University of Córdoba, Spain.
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

15.1. Introduction
15.2. History of Conservation Agriculture in Europe
15.3. Present state of Conservation Agriculture in Europe
15.4. Experiences with Conservation Agriculture in Europe
15.4.1. Crop performance
15.4.2. Soil quality
15.4.3. Weeds, diseases and insect-pests
15.4.4. Environmental impacts of conservation agriculture
15.4.5. Economic aspects of conservation agriculture
15.5. Challenges for Conservation Agriculture in Europe
15.5.1. Cultural and economic entrenchment of tillage agriculture
15.5.2. Crop residues and management
15.5.3. Yield levels
15.5.4. Weed, insect-pests and diseases
15.5.5. Availability of suitable seeding and planting equipment and inputs
15.5.6. Unspecific economic support to agriculture
15.5.7. Problem oriented research and training in conservation agriculture
15.6. Policies affecting Conservation Agriculture
15.6.1. Research support
15.6.2. Soil thematic strategy initiative
15.7. Prospects for up-scaling Conservation Agriculture in Europe
15.7.1. Effects of climate change
15.7.2. Soil and crop management related policies
15.7.3. Evolution of production costs and commodity prices
15.7.4. Regional differences affecting uptake
15.8. Conclusion

16. Conservation Agriculture in Latin America

A. Calegari1, C.F. Araujo Jr.1, R.A. Peiretti2, M.B. Giraudo3, P. Wall4, *M.-S. Turmel4, B. Govaerts4 and A. Speratti5
1
Instituto Agronômico do Paraná – IAPAR, Brazil
2
Consultor y Productor Agropecuario en Siembra Directa, Brazil
3
Vicepresidente, AAPRESID, Brazil
4
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Apdo. Postal 6-641, 06600 Mexico, D.F., Mexico
5
Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

16.1. Origins and History of Conservation Agriculture in Latin America

16.2. Impacts of Conservation Agriculture in Latin America
16.2.1. Environmental impacts
16.2.2. Economic impacts
16.2.3. Social impacts
16.3. Factors Limiting Adoption in Latin America
16.3.1. Regions with low adoption
16.3.2. Environmental factors
16.3.3. Socioeconomic factors
16.4. Innovations in Conservation Agriculture to Overcome Limiting Factors and Promote Adoption - Case Studies
16.4.1. Regions with high adoption of conservation agriculture
16.4.2. Elements promoting adoption
16.4.3. Innovations in elements of conservation agriculture
16.5. Future Outlook
16.6. Conclusion

9
17. Conservation Agriculture in North America
*N. Hansen1, S. Tubbs2, F. Fernandez3, S. Green4, N. Hansen5 and W.B. Stevens6,
1
Brigham Young University, 1 N University Hill, Provo, UT 84602, USA
2
University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
3
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
4
Arkansas State University, 2105 Aggie Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
5
Ohio State University, 281 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
6
USDA-ARS, Sidney Montana, MT 59270, USA
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

17.1. Introduction
17.2. History and Present Status of Conservation Agriculture in North America
17.3. Regional Experiences with Conservation Agriculture
17.3.1. Dryland cropping systems in the semi-arid great plains
17.3.2. Irrigated cropping systems in the semi-arid great plains
17.3.3. Rainfed cropping systems in the upper Midwest
17.3.4. Rainfed cropping systems in the great lakes region
17.3.5. Rainfed cropping systems in the humid Southeast
17.3.6. Bioenergy cropping systems in the humid South
17.4. Challenges for Increased Uptake of Conservation Agriculture in North America
17.5. National policies affecting Conservation Agriculture in North America
17.6. Future Direction and Trends

18. Conservation Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa

*M. Corbeels1, C. Thierfelder2, L. Rusinamhodzi2
1
Centre for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development, Avenue Agropolis, 34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
2
CIMMYT, Harare, Zimbabwe
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

18.1. Introduction
18.2. History and Present Status of Conservation Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa
18.3. Experiences with Conservation Agriculture: Some Case studies
18.4. Challenges for increased adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa
18.4.1. Non-enabling conditions for intensification
18.4.2. Variable benefits from conservation agriculture
18.4.3. Competition for crop residues
18.4.4. Poor market conditions
18.5. National Policies affecting Conservation Agriculture
18.6. Future Outlook
18.7. Conclusions

Part 5 Conservation Agriculture in Agricultural Systems

19. Conservation Agriculture and Soil Carbon Sequestration

*
C.S. Rao1, R. Lal2 and A. Wakeel3
1
Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santoshnagar, Saidabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
2
School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
3
Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
*
Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

19.1. Introduction
19.2. Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling
19.3. Importance of Soil Organic Matter
19.3.1. System productivity
19.3.2. Nutrient cycling
19.3.3. Greenhouse gas mitigation
19.4. Management Approaches for Positive Carbon Balance
19.4.1. Maximizing carbon input
19.4.1.1. Plant selection
19.4.1.2. Tillage
19.4.1.3. Fertilization
19.4.1.4. Integrated management
10
 19.4.2. Minimizing carbon loss from soil
19.4.2.1. Reducing soil disturbance
19.4.2.2. Utilizing available soil water
19.4.2.3. Maintaining surface residue cover
19.5. Managing Soil Carbon: Conventional Versus Conservation Agriculture
19.5.1. Microbial carbon decomposition and immobilization
19.5.2. Stratification of soil organic carbon with depth
19.5.3. Sampling Issues for soil organic carbon determination
19.5.4. Soil aggregation: boundaries for decomposition
19.5.5. The Influence on soil organic carbon stocks
19.6. Carbon Sequestration Opportunities with Conservation Agriculture: Experiences from Long-term Experiments
19.6.1. Biomass Input into soils and competing uses of crop residues
19.6.2. Profile soil organic carbon stock and carbon sequestration
19.7. Carbon Enhancing Management Options
19.7.1. Cropping systems inputs
19.7.2. Cover cropping
19.7.3. Crop residue harvest
19.7.4. Fertilizer application and manuring
19.8. Farmers Managing Soil Carbon
19.8.1. The economic potential of conservation agriculture for carbon sequestration
19.8.2. Farmers managing soil carbon: beyond direct incentives
19.8.3. Constraints and pathways for adoption
19.8.4. The Consequences of Rotating Tillage Practices for Carbon Sequestration
19.9. Future Outlook
19.10. Conclusions

20. Application of Microbiology in Conservation Agriculture

*J. Habig1, A.I. Hassen2 and A. Swart3
1
Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, Soil Microbiology Unit, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
2
Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, Biological Nitrogen Fixation Unit, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
3
Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, Nematology Unit, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

20.1 Soil Microbiology

20.1.1. Soil environment
20.1.2. Biological component
20.2 Microbe-plant-interaction
20.2.1 Rhizosphere
20.2.2 Symbiotic interactions (mutualism, parasitism, predation, competition)
20.2.3 Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria
20.2.4 Biological nitrogen fixation
20.2.5 Terrestrial nematodes
20.3 Influence of Key Conservation Agriculture Principles on Soil Microbes
20.3.1 Influence of different crops
20.3.2 Soil disturbance
20.3.3 Soil cover
20.4 Indicators of Ecosystem Status
20.5 Conclusions

21. Conservation Agriculture in Organic Farming: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities

*J. Peigné, V. Lefevre and J.F. Vian
1
ISARA Lyon, 23 rue Jean Baldassini 69364 Lyon cedex 07, France
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

21.1. Introduction
21.2. Experiences and Case Studies
21.2.1. Challenges
21.2.2. Surveys and long term experiments
21.2.3. Soil organic matter biological activities
21.2.4. Soil compaction and soil aggregate stability
21.2.5. Weeds control and impacts on crop yields
21.3. Opportunities
21.3.1. New equipment
21.3.2. Research on cover crops, intercrops
21.4. Conclusions and Future Directions
11
22. Farmer Adoption of Conservation Agriculture
D. Knowler
School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC CANADA V5A 1S6
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

22.1. Introduction
22.2. Farmer Adoption of Conservation Agriculture
22.2.1. Financial considerations in adopting conservation agriculture
22.2.2. Meta-regression analysis of financial analyses of conservation agriculture: how attractive is it?
22.2.3. Other considerations in adopting conservation agriculture: a review of empirical adoption studies
22.2.3.1. Farmer awareness or perception of soil problems
22.2.3.2. Biophysical characteristics of the farm
22.2.3.3. Land tenure, farm income/profitability and labour supply
22.2.3.4. Knowledge and access to information about conservation agriculture practices
22.2.3.5. Role of ‘stewardship’, collective benefits, networks and social capital
22.3. Problems and New Approaches in Studying Adoption of Conservation Agriculture
22.4. Future Outlook
22.5. Conclusions

23. Conservation Agriculture and Climate Change

*
M. Pisante1, F. Stagnari1, M. Acutis2 and M. Bindi3
1
University of Teramo, Agronomy ad crop sciences research and education center – Via C.R.Lerici, 1 - 64023 Mosciano S.Angelo, Italy
2
University of Milano, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Production, Landscape, Agroenergy - Via G. Celoria, 2 - 20133 Milano,
Italy
3
University of Firenze, Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science
Section of Agronomic Sciences and Land Management -piazzale delle Cascine, 18 - 50144 Firenze, Italy
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]

23.1. Introduction
23.2. Conservation Agriculture and Climate Change
23.2.1. Variation
23.2.2. Adaptation
23.2.3. Mitigation
23.3. Conservation Agriculture for Carbon Storage in Cropland
23.3.1. SOC accumulation
23.3.2. Soil biodiversity
23.3.3. Soil moisture
23.3.4. Soil nutrients
23.4. Climate Change and Gaseous Emission Dynamics
23.4.1. Methane
23.4.2. Nitrous oxide
23.4.3. Ammonia
23.5. Conservation Agriculture and Water Quality
23.5.1. Runoff and erosion, nutrient losses in surface water
23.5.2. Nitrate leaching
23.6. Research and Technology System Transfer
23.7. Conclusion

12
TIMELINE / DEADLINES

S. No. Activity Deadline

1 Circulation of the SOPs and relevant information November 01, 2013
2 Receipt of book proposals November 30, 2013
3 Review and revision of book proposals January 31, 2014
4 Invitation for writing / editing the books February 06, 2014
5 Receipt of complete book draft August 30, 2014
6 Receipt of corrected proof December 31, 2014
7 Posting of books, in pdf format, on the university web January 30, 2015
8 Printing and distribution April 30, 2015