CROP PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL FERTILITY IN A TROPICAL DRYLAND AGRO-ECOSYSTEM: IMPACT OF RESIDUE AND TILLAGE MANAGEMENT

2005 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. KUSHWAHA ◽  
K. P. SINGH

To understand the impact of residue and tillage management on crop productivity of rice and barley (including grain yield) and soil fertility in a tropical dryland agro-ecosystem, the following six treatments were established: (a) conventional tillage and residue removed (CT−R); (b) conventional tillage and residue retained (CT+R); (c) minimum tillage and residue removed (MT−R); (d) minimum tillage and residue retained (MT+R); (e) zero tillage and residue removed (ZT−R); and (f) zero tillage and residue retained (ZT+R). Minimum total net productivity (TNP) in both barley (the winter season crop) and rice (the rainy season crop) was recorded in the ZT−R treatment and the maximum in the MT+R treatment. In these crops, 83–88% of TNP was represented by above-ground net productivity (ANP). A reduction in tillage, from conventional to zero, especially when combined with residue retention, reduced the crop TNP/weed TNP ratio, reflecting the abundance of weeds with zero tillage. In both crops, minimum tillage increased grain yields, compared with conventional, but zero tillage resulted in reduced yields. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) and N-mineralization rates were higher in rice than in barley, and were maximum in the MT+R treatment. Crop productivity and grain yield in different treatments were positively correlated with MBC, MBN, N-mineralization rate and available-N. Strong negative correlations between crop productivity and grain yield with weed TNP and N-uptake were recorded. This study suggests that retention of a small fraction (one-third) of above-ground biomass from the previous crop and its incorporation in the soil through minimum tillage enhances the crop productivity and grain yield of succeeding crops and promotes soil fertility in a cereal based tropical dryland agro-ecosystem.

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-63
Author(s):  
K Pariyar ◽  
A Chaudhary ◽  
P Sapkota ◽  
S Sharma ◽  
CB Rana ◽  
...  

The effects of two tillage methods (zero tillage and conventional tillage), two residue managements (residue kept and residue removed) and two levels of cropping system (maize + soybean and sole maize) were studied over 3 years (2015-2017) at Dailekh district of Nepal. Arun-2 and Puja were the varieties of maize and soybean used respectively, followed by winter wheat. The results revealed that the maize + soybean system had significantly higher plant population and ear population (34.83 thousands ha-1 and 34.35 thousands ha-1, respectively), grains per row (37.1), ear length (16.6 cm) and 20.5% higher grain yield as compared to sole maize. The highest maize equivalent yield (7.92 t ha-1) was recorded in maize + soybean as compared to the lower grain yield equivalent (7.06 t ha-1) in sole maize. Zero tillage accounted relatively higher benefits (high net income and B:C ratio) as compared to conventional tillage. The residue kept plot resulted significantly higher B:C ratio (2.41) than the residue removed (2.11) and the maize + soybean recorded 82.5% greater B:C ratio compared to sole maize. Net annual income was significantly higher in zero tillage, residue kept and maize + soybean system (NRs. 223072.00, 222958.00 and 269016.00 ha-1 respectively). Such combinations are recommended for Dailekh district of Nepal to have profitable crop productivity. SAARC J. Agri., 17(1): 49-63 (2019)


Author(s):  
Nguyễn Trung Hải ◽  
Trần Thanh Đức ◽  
Vi Thị Linh

Nghiên cứu này nhằm đánh giá tác động của các biện pháp làm đất và mật độ trồng khác nhau đến quá trình sinh trưởng, phát triển, năng suất và hiệu quả kinh tế của giống ngô lai HQ2000 trên đất cát nội đồng trong vụ Đông Xuân năm 2018-2019 tại Thừa Thiên Huế. Thí nghiệm thứ nhất gồm 3 công thức gồm làm đất truyền thống, làm đất tối thiểu và không làm đất trong đó thí nghiệm thứ hai gồm 4 công thức với mật độ gieo trồng lần lượt là 47.058, 53.333, 61.538 và 66.666 cây/ha. Kết quả thí nghiệm cho thấy: Thời gian hoàn thành các giai đoạn sinh trưởng và phát triển ở các biện pháp làm đất tối thiểu có xu hướng ngắn hơn các công thức làm đất truyền thống; chiều cao cây cuối cùng dao động từ 154 đến 175cm, số lá dao động từ 16 đến 18 lá, diện tích lá đóng bắp có xu hướng giảm ở các công thức làm đất tối thiểu trong khi các yếu tố khác như chiều cao đóng bắp, chiều dài bắp, đường kính bắp và đường kính lóng gốc ở các công thức thí nghiệm dao động tương đối ít. Năng suất lý thuyết dao động từ 61 đến 72 tạ/ha, năng suất thực thu đạt cao nhất là 59,8 tạ/ha ở công thức không làm đất. Đối với biện pháp canh tác truyền thống, năng suất đạt cao nhất ở mật độ 18,5 kg hạt giống/ha (63,4 tạ/ha). Ở các công thức thí nghiệm, lợi nhuận đạt cao nhất ở công thức không làm đất và ở mật độ trồng là 18,5 kg hạt giống/ha, tương đương 61.538 cây/ha.  ABSTRACT This study aims to evaluate the impact of different tillage methods and planting densities on the growth, development, grain yield and economic efficiency of hybrid maize HQ2000 on sandy soil in the 2018-2019 Winter-Spring season in Thua Thien Hue province. The first trial consisted of three treatments including conventional tillage, limited tillage and no tillage; the second trial consisted of four treatments with planting density of 47.058, 53.333, 61.538 và 66.666 plants/ha, respectively. Experimental results showed that: The completed time of the growth and development stages at the minimum tillage methods was shorter than conventional tillage treatments; final plant height varied from 154 to 175cm, the number of leaves ranged from 16 to 18 leaves, the leaf area at ​​corn position decreased in minimum tillage treatments while other factors such as ear height, ear length, ear diameter and stalk diameter at prop root position fluctuated slightly. Potential grain yield varied from 6.1 to 7.2 tons/ha, the highest actual grain yield was 5.98 tons/ha in the no-tillage treatment. For conventional tillage, the highest grain yield was at 18.5 kg seed/ha treatment (6.34 tons/ha). In the experimental treatments, the highest profit was achieved in the no-tillage treatment and in planting density of 18.5 kg seed/ha, equivalent 61,538 plants/ha.      


Author(s):  
Nilesh Patidar ◽  
A. K. Dwivedi ◽  
B. S. Dwivedi ◽  
R. K. Thakur ◽  
Jalendra Bairwa ◽  
...  

The field experiments was conducted is an ongoing All India Co-ordinate Research Project on “Long term Fertilizer Experiment” during 2018-2019 with soybean-wheat cropping sequence at the Research Farm Department of Soil Science, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (M.P.), India. The objective of the study was the Impact of long term application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manure on soil fertility and crop productivity under soybean-wheat cropping system in a Vertisol. The experiment consists of ten treatments i.e. T1 50% NPK, T2 100% NPK, T3 150% NPK, T4 100% NPK + Hand Weeding, T5 100% NPK + Zn, T6 100% NP, T7 100% N, T8 100% NPK+ Farm Yard Manure, T9 100% NPK–S and T10 unfertilized plot (control) with four replications in a randomized block design. The findings of the present study indicated that the soil pH and EC were remaining unaltered even after continuous application of variable amounts of fertilizers either alone or in combination. A significant positive change in soil organic carbon, available N P K and S content was observed with continuous additions of balanced fertilizers and manures over the imbalanced or unfertilized treatments. The findings showed that the application of recommended dose of N, P and K (20:80:20 kg ha-1 for soybean and 120:80:40 kg ha-1 for wheat) with organic manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha-1 resulted in 185.8% and 325.9% increase over control in soybean and wheat yields, respectively. Thus, the continuous use of balanced fertilization, either alone or in combination with organic manure is necessary for sustaining soil fertility and productivity of crops.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Probir Kumar Ghosh ◽  
Kali Krishna Hazra ◽  
Madasur Subbabhat Venkatesh ◽  
Chandra Sekhar Praharaj ◽  
Narendra Kumar ◽  
...  

AbstractSustainability of cereal-based cropping systems remains crucial for food security in South Asia. However, productivity of cereal–cereal rotations has declined in the long run, demonstrating the need for a sustainable alternative. Base crop, that is, common crop in different crop rotations, productivity could be used as a sustainability indicator for the assessment of different long-term crop rotations. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of grain legume inclusion in lowland rice–wheat (R-W) and upland maize–wheat (M-W) rotation on system’s base crop (rice in lowland and wheat in upland crop rotations) productivity and sustainability and also in soil fertility. Mung bean (April–May) inclusion in R-W rotation increased rice grain yield by 10–14%. In upland, mung bean inclusion in M-W rotation increased wheat grain yield by 5–11%. Replacing wheat with chickpea in R-W rotation increased rice grain yield by 5–8%. Increased base crop productivity in legume inclusive rotations was attributed to significant improvement in panicle (rice) or spike (wheat) attributes. Increased soil organic carbon and available nitrogen and phosphorus in the legume inclusive rotations significantly influenced the base crop productivity in both the production systems. Among the crop rotations, R-W-Mb (in lowland) and M-W-Mb (in upland) rotations had the highest system productivity and net return. Therefore, intensification/diversification of cereal–cereal rotations with grain legume could improve soil fertility and sustain crop productivity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Akkas Ali ◽  
JK Ladha ◽  
J Rickman ◽  
JS Lales ◽  
M Murshedul Alam

Many Asian farmers are shifting from rice transplanting to direct seeding because the latter requires less labour, time, drudgery, and cultivation cost. Direct seeding is usually practiced in either wet or dry land preparation depending on water availability. The present study aimed at evaluating the potential of single and paired rows drill seeding patterns and five N management strategies on crop productivity, N use-efficiency, and apparent N balance. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with two seeding patterns as main plots and five N treatments as subplots with three replications. Drill seeding did not affect grain yield, water, and N use-efficiencies and N balance. Grain yield increased with LCC-based N management with the lower N fertilizer input. Soil available N after 2 years of rice cropping was similar to the amount at the beginning indicating most of applied fertilizer N was lost. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i4.14374 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(4): 559-571, December 2012


2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. K. SINGH ◽  
B. B. SHARMA ◽  
B. S. DWIVEDI

Field experiments were conducted at the Crop Research Centre of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during 1996/97 and 1997/98. Each experiment comprised 10 crop sequences: (a) wheat–rice, (b) chickpea–rice, (c) lentil–rice, (d) pea–rice, (e) wheat–mungbean green manure–rice, (f) wheat–Sesbania green manure–rice, (g) wheat–fodder–rice, (h) chickpea–fodder–rice, (i) lentil–fodder–rice and (j) pea–fodder–rice, in a randomized block design with four replications. The crop sequences were compared in terms of economic rice equivalent yield (REY), protein production, apparent nutrient balances and effect on soil fertility status. Amongst crop sequences involving two crops each year (200% cropping intensity), chickpea–rice gave highest REY and protein production. Of the sequences involving three crops each year (300% cropping intensity), chickpea–fodder–rice and wheat–fodder–rice were superior to others. The P balances were positive for all sequences, whereas K balances were generally negative except for sequences involving green manure legumes. Green manuring with Sesbania or mungbean helped restore soil fertility, indicating the advantage of green manure for higher productivity and sustainability of rice–wheat system. Chickpea–rice and chickpea–fodder–rice appeared promising alternatives to rice–wheat crop sequence.


2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Grant ◽  
K. R. Brown ◽  
G. J. Racz ◽  
L. D. Bailey

Effective fertilizer management is critical to maintain economic production and protect long-term environmental quality. Field studies were conducted over 4 yr at two locations in southwestern Manitoba to determine the effect of source, timing and placement of N on grain yield and N recovery of durum wheat (Triticum durum L. ‘Sceptre’) under reduced-tillage (RT) and conventional-tillage (CT) management. The effect of N management on durum grain yield and N recovery differed with soil type and tillage system. On the clay loam (CL) soil, lower yields with fall- as compared with spring-banded N were more frequent under RT than CT. Lower yields occurred more frequently with fall-applied as compared with spring-applied urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) than when urea or NH3 was the N source. On the drier fine sandy loam (FSL) soil, fall applications of N generally produced similar to higher grain yield than did spring applications. Differences among fertilizer sources and tillage systems were much less frequent with spring than fall applications of N. Where differences occurred, durum grain yields were higher with in-soil than surface applications of urea or UAN. In-soil applications of urea and UAN increased durum grain yield as compared with surface applications more frequently under RT than CT on the CL soil where yield potential was high, whereas increases on the FSL were as common under CT as under RT. On soils with a high yield potential, enhanced immobilisation and/or volatilisation of surface-applied N may reduce grain yield by reducing available N, particularly under RT. Selection of a suitable source-timing and placement combination to optimise crop yield may be more important under RT than CT. Key words: Conservation tillage, direct seeding, placement


Author(s):  
I. Zakaria ◽  
I. K. Dzomeku

Field experiment was carried out during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons at Integrated Water and Agricultural Development Limited (IWAD) in the Mamprugu Moaduri district of Northern region. The objectives of the study were to evaluate tillage system, soil amendment and weed management regime on the growth and yield of rice under lowland conditions. The experiment was laid out in split-split-plot design in three replications with tillage, soil amendment and weed management which constituted the main-plot, sub-plot and sub-sub-plot factors respectively. Tillage, soil amendment and weed management, each at three levels, were respectively made-up of zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT); 2.5 tons/ha organic manure, 2 tons/ha biochar and 250 kg NPK/ha; and hand weeding at 3 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP), pre-emergence herbicide, and post-emergence herbicide. Post-emergence herbicide application supported earliest flower initiation (80-85 days) compared to manual weeding (82-92 days) and pre-emergence herbicides (83-90 days). The combination of zero tillage and pre-emergence herbicide weed management gave the highest number of tillers of 34.3 per hill and maximized grain yield (6661 kg/ha). Longest rice root length was 34 cm in zero tillage with compost amendments and pre-emergence herbicide treatments. Soil carbon stock below 40 cm soil depth was highest in zero tillage (0.89% C) compared to minimum tillage (0.65% C) and conventional tillage (0.55 % C). Results gave good indication of best land preparation, soil amendment and weed management practice that could promote sustainable cropping in sandy-loam textured lowland soils.   


Author(s):  
Niamat Ullah Khan ◽  
Sami Ullah ◽  
Azhar Abbas Khan ◽  
Umbreen Shahzad

Zero tillage straw retained with optimum N is an important strategy to increase soil fertility and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-cotton system.  A 3 years field experiment was conducted during 2014, 2015 and 2016 to study the impact of two tillage techniques [zero tillage plus wheat straw retained- ZTsr and conventional tillage-CT straw burnt (CTsb, with disc plow, tiller, rotavator, and leveling operations)] and four nitrogen rates namely 0, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1 on cotton yield and soil fertility. Results indicated that bolls/plant–1, weight per boll, seed cotton yields, lint percentage and N recovery efficiency were highest with 150 kg N ha–1. Interaction tillage into N indicated that ZTsr had graeter bolls plant-1, bolls weight, seed cotton yields, lint percentage and N recovery efficiency compared to CTsb. ZTsr had more soil organic matter (SOM) and total soil nitrogen (TSN) compared to CTsb. ZTsr with 150 kg nitrogen per hectare enhanced cotton yield and soil fertility on sustainable basis in arid environment of Dera Ismail Khan.


Author(s):  
Kuldeep Singh ◽  
Rakesh Sharma

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2015-16 at the Students’ Research Farm, Khalsa College Amritsar, on sandy loam soil, low in organic carbon and available N, Medium in available P and high in available K. Field experiment was laid out in split plot design comprising four methods of sowing such as (Bed Planting, Zero tillage, Flat drilling, Happy seeder) and two row orientation as (North-South and East-West) replicated four times. Bed planting method produced significantly higher growth characters (i.e. plant height, leaf area index and dry matter accumulation, yield contributing characters effective tillers, grains ear-1, grain and straw yield, harvest index and B C ratio) than happy seeder and zero tillage sowing Bed planting recorded 14% and 10.48% higher grain yield over happy seeder and zero tillage sowing, respectively. Between row orientations, north-south row orientation produced higher growth and yield attributes than east-west whereas grain yield and biological yield was 3.86% and 3.77% higher than east-west sowing direction respectively.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document