Abstract
Abstract Changes in soil properties and yield response in relation to tillage and residue management treatments in an irrigated groundnut ( Arachis hypogea L.)—wheat ( Triticum aestivum , L.) rotation on a sandy soil (1972–1974) and on a sandy loam soil (1974–1976) were evaluated. Tillage treatments (T 1 and T 2 ) did not cause significant changes in soil properties. Incorporation of crop residues (5 t residue per ha per crop, T 3 ) caused a substantial increase in organic C, available N, and NaHCO 3 -extractable P contents in the top 15 cm of both soils. Residue management treatments (T 3 , T 4 and T 5 ) showed no significant effect on soil bulk density and exchangeable K. Crop yields under no-tillage (T 1 ) and conventional tillage (control, T 2 ) were comparable on sandy soil but on the sandy loam soil, no-tillage yielded significantly lower than conventional tillage. Compared with the control, incorporation of crop residues (T 3 ) caused higher yields on sandy soil for groundnut and wheat by 34.1 and 47.4%, respectively, and on sandy loam by 17.1 and 7.2%, respectively. Mulching with crop residues conserved soil moisture and reduced maximum soil temperature (1.5–5.3°C in groundnut and 1.5–2.9°C in wheat) but other measured soil properties were not significantly affected. Significant yield increase due to residue mulching (T 4 ) was observed in sandy soil but it was significantly less than when total crop residue was incorporated (T 3 ). Increased wheat root-weight density in the top 15 cm soil with residue mulching was not reflected in grain yield. Compared with the incorporation of the total amount of crop residue (T 3 ), incorporation of half the amount and application of the other half as mulch (T 5 ) caused lower yields — on sandy soil for groundnut and wheat by 31.5 and 15.7%, respectively, and on sandy loam by 4.8 and 3.6%, respectively.
Published Version
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