Influence of Tillage and Relay Cropping of Berseem in Mustard–Pearl millet System on Soil Quality, Productivity of Crops and Water

Abstract

In the semi-arid tropics, pearlmillet–mustard (PM–M) is one of the major cropping systems of India. The monocropping of PM–M system has been showing signs of diminutive and decline soil quality, system productivity and profitability from more than two decades. In order to improve the PM-M system productivity and make it profitable through relaying a leguminous fodder crop berseem or Egyptian clover in various tillage and crop seeding (TCS) methods. Relaying berseem (RB) residues provided surface cover in zero-tillage (ZT) system and the needed organic carbon sponge for microbial actions for improvements in soil properties. The shifting of TCS from traditional tilled (TT) to ZT system and RB in standing mustard crop significantly improved soil organic carbon stock, infiltration rate, soil water storage, availability of macro- and micronutrients, biological properties, land use and production efficiency. Improvements in soil properties resulted significantly greater productivity of crops, system and net profit. The TCS with ZT increased the PM–M system productivity by 11% in without RB, while 12% in RB compared with TT system. Results of ZT seeding method saved production cost of PM–M ₹ 8498/ha and had increased net profit ₹ 20,988/ha, whereas those of PM–M in RB saved production cost of ₹ 13,263/ha and increased net profit ₹ 35,538/ha compared with TT, respectively. Among the treatments of TCS, ZT seeding in PM–M cropping system with RB in mustard had greater soil quality parameters, pearl millet equivalent system productivity and net benefits; thus, it is considered the best practice to maintain soil quality, food security and profitability.