Nutrient management options modulating soil physico-chemical and biological properties under direct-seeded rice-based cropping systems

Abstract

ABSTRACT To achieve higher system productivity and better soil health under rice‒based cropping systems, this study was conducted to ascertain the best agricultural and nutrient management strategies. The study involved four cropping systems (CS) comprising direct seeded basmati rice (DSBR)‒wheat (CS1), DSBR‒wheat‒greengram (CS2), DSBR‒cabbage‒greengram (CS3) and DSBR‒cabbage‒onion (CS4) under different nutrient management strategies (NMS) comprising of control (NS0), 100% recommended dose of N, P and K fertilizers (RDF-NPK) (NS1), 50% RDF + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through leaf compost (LC) + biofertilizer (NS2), 50% RDF + 25% RDN through vermicompost (VC) + biofertilizer (NS3) and was carried out for two consecutive years. At the end of study, soil carbon fractions, bulk density and water stable aggregates were significantly (p < 0.05) higher under integrated NMS as compared to control and RDF alone. Soil biological parameters such as dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and microbial biomass carbon increased significantly (p < 0.05) in all three seasons (rainy, winter and summer) under integrated NMS (NS2 and NS3) plots, as compared to NS0 and NS1. Inclusion of greengram in rice–based cropping systems and combined use of inorganic and organic nutrient sources resulted in positive influence on soil health parameters and sustaining system productivity.