Crop Establishment Techniques Research Articles

Short‐Term Benefits of Tillage and Agronomic Biofortification for Soybean–Wheat Cropping in Central India

ABSTRACTIn a changing climate, conservation tillage and agronomic biofortification are essential for enhancing crop yield, nutritional security, carbon stocks, and soil quality. Consequently, a field study was conducted in central India to assess the short‐term (4 years) effects of crop establishment techniques (CETs) and agronomic biofortification methods (ABMs) on soil health indicators, grain yield, and quality in the soybean–wheat cropping system. The experiment followed a split‐plot design with two CETs in the main plots (permanent broad bed furrow, PBBF, and conventional tillage, CT) and eight ABMs, each with three replications. The results indicated that PBBF and ABMs (seed inoculation with the microbial strains MDSR 14 + MDSR 34, and soil and foliar application of Zn+Fe) improved soil carbon stock (by 49.6% and 52.4%), available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, available Zn (by 30.0%), and Fe (by 21.9%) after the fourth year of the study. Similarly, PBBF and microbial inoculation increased soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and β‐glucosidase), substrate‐induced respiration, and microbial biomass carbon content. As a result, a higher soybean equivalent yield (5.59% higher in PBBF and 14.2% higher with foliar spray of Zn+Fe) and seed quality attributes (crude protein yield, grain Zn, and Fe) were observed in PBBF and the foliar spray of Zn and Fe treatments compared to CT and control, respectively. Overall, adopting the short‐term PBBF system, microbial inoculation, and soil and foliar application of Zn and Fe improved rhizosphere biochemical properties, yield, and seed quality in the soybean–wheat system.

Wheat Growth and Yield in the Rice -Wheat Cropping System: Impact of Crop Establishment Techniques, Sowing Schedule and Nitrogen Management

Wheat Growth and Yield in the Rice -Wheat Cropping System: Impact of Crop Establishment Techniques, Sowing Schedule and Nitrogen Management

Suitability of Sprinkler and Drip Irrigation in Transplanted and Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Haryana, India

On-farm trials on rice crop were conducted at farmer field over a span of three years (2018, 2019 and 2020) to assess the effectiveness of micro-irrigation methods (specifically drip and sprinkler irrigation) on water usage and crop yield in rice cultivation. The aim was to compare these methods with the conventional surface irrigation (flooding) method both in transplanted (manually or mechanically) and direct seeded rice so as to determine the feasibility of micro-irrigation in rice to tackle the problem of groundwater depletion in Haryana. In transplanted rice (TPR), grain yield obtained with drip and sprinkler irrigation was statistically similar to that obtained with conventional method. But the yield of direct seeded rice (DSR) increased significantly (15.1- 21.1% increase) when it was irrigated by drip or sprinkler methods than by conventional method. The yield of DSR was significantly lower than that of TPR when it was irrigated by conventional surface flooding method but the DSR yielded at par with TPR when irrigated by drip or sprinkler method. The grain yield of the crop obtained with drip and sprinkler irrigation was at par, irrespective of the crop establishment techniques. Over the conventional irrigation, the drip and sprinkler irrigation saved 54.4-57.2% and 47.4-49.0% of irrigation water, respectively in TPR whereas the saving of irrigation water over the conventional method in DSR was 52.5-53.9% and 38.3-39.3%, respectively. Irrespective of establishment techniques, the highest water use efficiency was achieved with drip irrigation (6.73-9.46 kg/ha/mm), followed by sprinkler irrigation (5.66-7.85 kg/ha/mm) whereas it was the lowest with the conventional irrigation (3.28-3.55 kg/ha/mm). It is evident from the findings that it is feasible to adopt sprinkler irrigation in rice (both in TPR and DSR) as it saved substantial quantity of irrigation water without any penalty in yield and net profit in TPR and even increased the yield and net profit in DSR over the conventional irrigation method. Therefore, sprinkler irrigation can be an effective strategy to manage the depletion of groundwater in Haryana. On the other hand, the drip irrigation, despite saving more water and being comparable to the sprinkler irrigation in respect of its effect on yield, may not be economically viable due to its higher initial cost.

Effect of Zero Tillage and Different Weed Management Practices in Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Indo Gangetic Plains: A Review

Millions of rural and urban residents depend on the rice-wheat cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) for their food security and means of subsistence. About 18 million hectares (m ha) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are rotated across Asia, of which 13.5 m ha are in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India. This agricultural system’s viability is currently in jeopardy due to static yields of both wheat and rice and a decline in total factor productivity. The North West IGP's high input crop culture has allowed weeds to dominate the weed flora, including P. minor in wheat and Echinochloa crus-galli L. in rice. Farmers in North West India have largely used zero tillage for growing wheat, and recently, farmers in the eastern IGP have done the same. Perennial weeds in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain, such Cynodon dactylon L. and Cyperus rotundus L. can occasionally be a nuisance under zero tillage. As an alternative to puddled transplanted rice, the focus is currently on dry direct-seeded rice and machine transplanting of non-puddled rice. As a result of changes in tillage, crop establishment techniques, water use, and weed control brought on by the switch from transplanted rice to direct seeded rice, weed composition and diversity frequently vary. In nations where DSR is frequently used, weedy rice has become a significant concern. Using the Zero Tillage DSR system, certified seed, cultivars that are weed-competitive, stale seedbed procedures, living mulches, and chemical and biological weed control might change weed-crop competition in the crop's favour. However, more research on emergence characteristics and mulching effects of different crop residues on key weeds under zero tillage, cover cropping, and breeding crops for weed suppression will strengthen nonchemical weed management programs. In this review, we examine the extent of weed infestation, weed flora shift and the non-chemical alternative weed management in DSR.

Impact of Mechanized Crop Establishment Techniques on Growth, Yield, and Microbial Dynamics under Rice-Wheat Cropping System: A Review

The rice-wheat cropping system, predominant across the Indo-Gangetic plains, generates a substantial volume of crop residue, with an annual yield of 7-9 tonnes per hectare of rice residue. Effective management of this residue, whether in-situ or ex-situ, has become an urgent necessity. However, the economic feasibility of transporting residue beyond 20 km from the field is limited. Consequently, in-field residue management through the adoption of specialized machinery has emerged as an imperative solution. The narrow window between paddy harvesting and wheat sowing, compounded by labor scarcity during peak periods, underscores the need for mechanized crop establishment techniques. Machines such as happy seeders, super seeders, turbo seeders, spatial drills, and seed-cum-fertilizer drills are crucial tools in this regard. This paper examines the benefits of mechanized crop establishment techniques on wheat growth, productivity, and soil biological health within the rice-wheat cropping system. These techniques have revolutionized agricultural practices by significantly influencing growth dynamics, yield parameters, and microbial ecology. The adoption of precision seed drills and mechanized tillage equipment has transformed traditional farming methods, facilitating efficient seed placement, soil preparation, residue incorporation, and weed management. This has resulted in improved crop growth parameters, enhanced yield dynamics, better root development, increased nutrient uptake, and overall plant vigor. Furthermore, reduced soil disturbance and decreased weed pressure associated with mechanized operations have created a conducive environment for beneficial microbial communities to thrive. The integration of mechanized crop establishment techniques has a positive impact on both crop productivity and sustainability, highlighting their importance in modern agricultural practices within the rice-wheat cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Impact of conservation tillage and agronomic biofortification strategies on soil health and grain quality aspects under soybean–wheat cropping system

A field experiment was initiated in 2018 at ICAR-IISR Indore (MP), to study the effect of crop establishment techniques and agronomic biofortification methods on grain yield, crop and soil quality aspects under long-term conservation agriculture (CA) based soybean-wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with two crop establishment techniques and eight agronomic biofortification methods. The results revealed that significantly higher grain yield, lowest soil pH, highest available nutrients (DTPA-Zn and DTPA-Fe), increased soil enzyme (Dehydrogenase) of soybean and wheat under conservation tillage. Among different agronomic biofortification methods soil application of Zn+Fe (DTPA-Zn and DTPA-Fe) reported significantly higher grain yield, compared to control. However, seed inoculation of microbial strains MDSR 14 + MDSR 34reported significantly lowest soil pH, highest soil enzyme. Soybean and wheat grain phytic acid/Zn (<15) and phytic acid/Fe (<10) molar ratio was found significantly lower under conservation tillage and foliar application of Zn+Fe. Thus, in long term, adaptation of conservation tillage along with soil or foliar application of Zn+Fe and seed inoculation of MDSR 14 + MDSR 34 could be prominent options to improve yield, soil and crop quality parameters under CA based soybean-wheat cropping system.

Influence of crop establishment method and residue management practices on productivity and economics of soybean-based cropping systems

The field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2021 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore (MP). This experiment was initiated in kharif season of 2017, to study the effect of different cropping systems, crop establishment method and residue management practices on productivity and soil health of soybeanbased cropping systems. Significantly higher yield of soybean was registered under soybean-chickpea. Among the crop establishment techniques, permanent broad bed and furrow (PBBF) + residue retention (R) followed by PBBF + without residue retention (WR) found superior as compared to conventional tillage as per farmer practices. The increase in seed yield was 13.0 to 19.0% under PBBF technology as compared to conventional tillage as per farmers’ practices (CTFP).

Impact of different crop establishment techniques on growth and yield of drought tolerant rice varieties

Impact of different crop establishment techniques on growth and yield of drought tolerant rice varieties

Alternate tillage and crop-establishment techniques in rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system for increased system productivity and profitability in eastern sub-Himalayan plains of India

This study was undertaken from the rainy season 2015 to winter season 2016–17 at the Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal. The aim of the study was to arrive at optimal tillage requirement in rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system to economize on energy, labour and time, and to work out the production economics of rice–wheat system as a whole under various crop-establishment techniques. Unpuddled rice (UPTR) followed by zero tillage (ZT) wheat recorded superior yield performances to conventional tillage-based systems over the years. Fuel and labour requirement was reduced by 86.93 and 51.85%, 66.28 and 45.67% and 77.84 and 48.97% under rice (direct seeding)–wheat (surface seeding), rice (UPTR)–wheat (ZT) and rice (bed planting)–wheat (bed planting), respectively. Rice (UPTR)–wheat (ZT) also recorded the maximum energy efficiency (12.15) and energy productivity (0.94 kg/MJ) with lowest specific energy (31.67) which was reflective of the better system output. Despite lesser cost of cultivation under rice (direct seeding)–wheat (surface seeding) system, the monetary returns as well as benefit: cost ratio were much lesser under this system due to poor crop stand owing to high pre-monsoon and monsoon shower. The maximum net returns (`33,888 and `42,835/ha during 2015–16 and 2016–17 respectively) and benefit: cost ratio (1.68 and 1.85 during 2015–16 and 2016–17 respectively) under rice (UPTR)–wheat (ZT) system reflected its superiority to the other establishment techniques.

Impact of crop establishment techniques and weed management practices on Oryza sativa L. growth and yield

AbstractDue to increased demand, labor costs, and water scarcity, farmers look for an alternative way of rice cultivation under prevailing conventional transplanting. Direct‐seeded Oryza sativa and system of rice intensification (SRI) have been developed as superior substitutes to transplanting. However, if weeds are not controlled properly, the direct seeding method faces serious weed infestation and yield losses. In this context, a field study was undertaken during kharif growing seasons to evaluate the growth and yield of O. sativa under various crop establishment methods and weed management practices. The results revealed that system of rice intensification (SRI) method of crop establishment significantly produced taller plants, higher dry matter accumulation, a greater number of tillers per meter square, highest leaf area index, yield attributes, namely, panicle density, panicle length, and grains per panicle, and higher grain and straw yield over direct seeded rice (DSR) and transplanted O. sativa. Among the various weed management practices, penoxsulam produced significantly higher grain and straw yield. The results demonstrated that average grain yield increase with SRI was reported to be 24.11% and 23.62% over DSR and 10.47% and 12.23% over transplanted O. sativa. Among various establishment techniques, lower weed density and dry weed biomass were achieved by transplanting O. sativa. Penoxsulam herbicides significantly reduced the weed density and dry weed biomass but penoxsulam herbicide demonstrated significantly the maximum reduction in number of weeds per meter square and dry weed biomass and proved superior against complex weed flora.

Nutrient Uptake and Post-Harvest Soil Nutrient Status of Extra Long StapleCottonas Influenced by Establishment Methods, Intercropping and Nutrient Management

A field experiment was conducted at Eastern Block Farm, Department of Agronomy, TNAU, Coimbatore, during the summer of 2019 with the objective of finding outthe nutrient uptakeandthe postharvest soil nutrient statusof Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton under methods of crop establishment, intercropping and nutrient management. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted,viz.T1: Transplanting + Green gram + 75% RDF, T2 : Transplanting + Black gram + 75% RDF, T3 : Transplanting + Onion + 75% RDF, T4 : Transplanting + Green gram + 100% RDF, T5 : Transplanting + Intercrop with Black gram + 100% RDF, T6 : Transplanting + Onion + 100% RDF, T7 : Transplanting + Green gram + 125% RDF, T8 : Transplanting + Black gram + 125% RDF, T9 : Transplanting + Onion + 125% RDF, T10 : Transplanting + 100% RDF, T11 : Direct seeding + Recommended package of practices. Nutrient uptake was higher in transplanted cotton intercropped with black gram followed by thegreen gram with the application of 125% RDF followed by 100% RDF which was significantly influenced by crop establishment techniques, intercropping and different doses of fertilizer level.Available soil nutrients were higher in direct-seeded cotton compared to transplanted cotton

Conservation tillage and residue management improve soil health and crop productivity—Evidence from a rice-maize cropping system in Bangladesh

The rice-maize (R-M) system is rapidly expanding in Bangladesh due to its greater suitability for diverse soil types and environments. The present conventional method of cultivating puddled transplanted rice and maize is input-intensive, decreases soil health through intense ploughing, and ultimately reduces farm profitability. There is a need to investigate alternatives. Accordingly, we conducted a replicated 2-year (2020–2021) field study to investigate the effects of conservation agriculture (CA) based tillage and crop establishment (TCE) techniques and residue management practices on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil along with crop productivity and the profitability of rice-maize systems in the sandy loam soil of Northwest Bangladesh. Two TCE techniques Puddled transplanted rice (PTR) followed by Conventional tillage maize (CTM) and strip tillage direct-seeded rice (STDSR) followed by strip-tilled maize (STM) were assigned to the main plots and different percentages of crop residue retention (0, 25, and 50% by height) were allocated to the subplots. Results showed that a reduction in bulk density (BD), soil penetration resistance (SPR), and increased soil porosity were associated with STDSR/STM-based scenarios (strip tillage coupled with 25 and 50% residue retention). The soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions, such as dissolved organic C (DOC), light and heavy particulate organic matter C (POM-C), MAOM, and microbial biomass C (MBC) levels in the 0–10 cm layer under ST based treatments were 95, 8, 6, 2 and 45% greater, respectively, compared to CT with no residue treatment. When compared to the CT treatment, the DOC, light POM-C, heavy POM-C, and MAOM in the 10–20 cm layer with ST treatment were 8, 34, 25, 4 and 37% higher, respectively. Residue retention in ST increased average rice, maize, and system yields by 9.2, 14.0, and 14.12%, respectively, when compared to CT. The system gross margin and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) were $1,515 ha−1 and 1.90 under conventional tillage to $1,696 ha−1 and 2.15 under strip-tillage practices. Thus, our study suggests that CA could be an appropriate practice for sustaining soil fertility and crop yield under R-M systems in light-textured soils or other similar soils in Bangladesh.

Effect of GreenSeeker based nitrogen management and its interaction with water on growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) under conservation agriculture

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2019 at research farm of ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, to study the effect of GreenSeeker(GS) based nitrogen management and its interaction with water on growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) var. PMH-1 under conservation agriculture. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design withtwo crop establishment techniques (CET) viz. conservation agriculture (CA) and conventional tillage (CT) in main plots three irrigation regime (IR) in sub-plotsirrigation at critical growth stages, irrigation at 25% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM) and irrigation at 50% DASM, and four levels of nitrogen (N) in sub-sub plots; no-N applied, 33% N as basal, 33% N at knee high stage and 34% N at silking stage, 50% basal + rest N as guided by Green Seeker (GS) and 75% as basal + rest N as guided by GS. The results showed that GS based N application outperformed over farmers fertilizer practices in terms of growth and productivity, and its interactionalso significantly differed with irrigation scheduling. The maximum value of grain yield (6.9 tha-1 ), plant height at tasseling (173 cm) and harvest (235 cm), leaf area index at knee high stage (2.11) and silking (4.10), crop growth rate (8.4 and 9.2 gm-2 day-1 ) at 0-30 and 30-60 days after sowing, respectively and NDVI (0.748), were recorded under75% as basal + rest N as guided by GS, over other practices and interaction effect with irrigation at 25% depletion of available soil moisture.

Effect of GreenSeeker based nitrogen management and its interaction with water on growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) under conservation agriculture

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2019 at research farm of ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, to study the effect of GreenSeeker(GS) based nitrogen management and its interaction with water on growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) var. PMH-1 under conservation agriculture. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design withtwo crop establishment techniques (CET) viz. conservation agriculture (CA) and conventional tillage (CT) in main plots three irrigation regime (IR) in sub-plotsirrigation at critical growth stages, irrigation at 25% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM) and irrigation at 50% DASM, and four levels of nitrogen (N) in sub-sub plots; no-N applied, 33% N as basal, 33% N at knee high stage and 34% N at silking stage, 50% basal + rest N as guided by Green Seeker (GS) and 75% as basal + rest N as guided by GS. The results showed that GS based N application outperformed over farmers fertilizer practices in terms of growth and productivity, and its interactionalso significantly differed with irrigation scheduling. The maximum value of grain yield (6.9 tha-1), plant height at tasseling (173 cm) and harvest (235 cm), leaf area index at knee high stage (2.11) and silking (4.10), crop growth rate (8.4 and 9.2 gm-2day-1) at 0-30 and 30-60 days after sowing, respectively and NDVI (0.748), were recorded under75% as basal + rest N as guided by GS, over other practices and interaction effect with irrigation at 25% depletion of available soil moisture.

National Innovation in Climate Resilient Agriculture – A Case Study at Bangalore Rural District of Karnataka

Lower yield in dryland conditions is often associated with drought. Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, dominated with arid and semi-arid climate is characterized with predominant drought which is conjugated with reduced rainfall intensity and intermittent dry spells measures to overcome upgraded agricultural practices such as appropriate varieties, scientific methods of crop establishment, in-situ moisture conservation techniques and ex-situ rain water harvesting and its productive utilization was demonstrated from 2011 to 2019 at farmers field of Chikkamaranahalli cluster finger millet varieties sown under different sowing windows long duration (MR-1) for July sowing, medium duration (GPU-28) for August first fortnight sowing, short duration (GPU-48) for August second fortnight sowing performed well opening of in-situ moisture conservation furrows in between paired rows of pigeonpea in finger millet + pigeonpea (8:2) and groundnut + pigeonpea (8:2) inter cropping system recorded higher yield than that of farmers practice. Among the different crop establishment techniques transplanting of finger millet and sowing using modified bullock drawn seed drill resulted in superior yield over broadcasting. Thus climate resilient practices along with timely advisory services helped in maintaining sustainability.

Comparative Analysis of Rice and Weeds and Their Nutrient Partitioning under Various Establishment Methods and Weed Management Practices in Temperate Environment

A research trial was conducted at Agronomy Farm (SKUAST-K, Wadura, Jammu & Kashmir), during kharif 2017 and 2018 to evaluate nutrient removal in rice under various rice establishment methods and weed control measures. The study comprised of two factors: rice establishment techniques {Transplanting (TPR); Direct seeding (DSR) and System of rice intensification (SRI)} as main plot treatments and weed control measures {Butachlor @ 1500 g a.i ha−1 (B); Penoxsulam @ 22.5 g a.i ha−1 (P); Pyrazosulfuron ethyl + Pretilachlor @ 15 and 600 g a.i ha−1 (PP); Bensulfuron methyl + Pretilachlor @ 60 and 600 g a.i ha−1 (BP); 2 Conoweeding/Hand Weeding (CW/HW); Weed free (WF) and weedy check (WC)} as sub-plot treatments meant to evaluate the best establishment method and weed management practice for rice. Over DSR and transplanted rice, the SRI technique yielded a significant increase in dry biomass accumulation (17.04 and 17.20 t ha−1) and grain (7.92 and 8.17 t ha−1) and straw (9.60 and 10.17 t ha−1) yields. Penoxsulam herbicide significantly showed higher grain and straw yield of 8.19 and 8.28 t ha−1 and 10.13 and 10.44 t ha−1, respectively, than other weed management measures by comparing the means using critical difference. TPR excelled in reducing dry weed biomass more than other established methods. All herbicides considerably reduced dry weed biomass, but Penoxsulam herbicide showed the greatest reduction in dry weed biomass and proved superior against complex weed flora. Weeds showed maximum contribution towards total Biomass under DSR, among rice establishment techniques. In contrast, among different weed control measures, it was maximum in weedy check treatment (Untreated Control) and minimum in penoxsulam treatment. SRI significantly excelled in crop (grain and straw) nutrient uptake compared to the DSR and TPR method, although different crop establishment techniques non-significantly influenced nutrient concentrations. Furthermore, penoxsulam treatment demonstrated higher crop (grain and straw) nutrient uptake among the various weed management measures. However, available soil nutrients were observed among establishment techniques, highest in DSR and lowest in SRI. Moreover, direct-seeded rice excelled SRI and transplanted rice in weed nutrient uptake, and among the different herbicidal treatments, penoxsulam recorded the lowest uptake in weeds. Nutrient budgeting demonstrated that DSR showed the maximum percentage of nutrient removal by weeds, and the minimum ratio was in TPR. In contrast, the lowest rate of nutrients removed via weeds were seen in penoxsulam application under various weed management measures.

Bioavailability of Micronutrient Cations in Rice as Influenced by Inorganic Nitrogen Dynamics in Soil under Typic Haplustepts

ABSTRACT Crop establishment methods play a vital role in the predominance of nutrient forms. Nitrogen dynamics in the soil can alter micronutrient availability and uptake. Four treatments each replicated thrice, comprising of three methods of rice establishment viz., puddled transplanted rice (PTR), unpuddled transplanted (UPTR), and direct seeded rice (DSR) in different combinations of rotation with conventionally tilled lentil (CTL) and zero till lentil (ZTL) were compared for their effect on inorganic nitrogen in the soil and its consequent effect on the micronutrient availability in soil and their uptake by rice grain. As per the results obtained from the study, the different establishment techniques with associated treatments after 7 years of continuous cultivation did not have any significant effect on general soil properties like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Treatments had a significant effect on soil nitrogen content and uptake and on soil micronutrient status and their uptake by rice as estimated after harvest of the rice crop. UPTR-ZTL crop rotation with crop residue management and biopriming with Azotobacter was found to be the most efficient management practice and performed better than the conventional crop establishment techniques like PTR and CTL systems. Nitrogen content in soil and plant N uptake showed positive correlations with micronutrient uptake by the rice grain. Significant positive correlations were obtained with the uptake of Fe, Mn, and Zn. Nitrogen dynamics (irrespective of crop establishment methods) in soil especially ammoniacal N, had a positive effect on the cationic micronutrient uptake by the crop, but results were not conclusive enough to suggest the role of N forms on uptake and translocation of micronutrient cations.

Straw mulch and irrigation effect on wheat under various crop establishment techniques in Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, India

Straw mulch and irrigation effect on wheat under various crop establishment techniques in Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, India

Nutrient removal by rice\u2013wheat cropping system as influenced by crop establishment techniques and fertilization options in conjunction with microbial inoculation

Nutrient uptake by the rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) is an important indicator of soil fertility and plant nutrient status. The hypothesis of this investigation was that the rate and sources of nutrient application can differentially influence nutrient removal and soil nutrient status in different crop establishment techniques (CETs). Cropping system yield was on par in all the CETs evaluated, however, there were significant changes in soil nutrient availability and microbiological aspects. The system nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) uptake in aerobic rice system followed by zero tillage wheat (ARS-ZTW) was 15.7–17.6 kg ha−1, 0.7–0.9 kg ha−1, 7–9.8 kg ha−1 and 13.5–23.1 g ha−1 and higher than other CETs. The formulations of Anabaena sp. (CR1) + Providencia sp. (PR3) consortium (MC1) and Anabaena–Pseudomonas biofilm (MC2) recorded significantly higher values of soil chlorophyll and microbial biomass carbon and positively affected cropping system nutrient uptake and soil nutrient balance, illustrating the beneficial effect of microbial inoculation through increased supply of biologically fixed N and solubilised P. Zinc fertilization (5 kg Zn ha−1 through ZnSO4·7H2O as soil application) increased soil DTPA-extractable Zn by 4.025–4.836 g ha–1, with enhancement to the tune of 20–24% after two cropping cycles of RWCS. Our investigation recommends the need for change in the present CETs to ARS–ZTW, along with the use of microbial inoculation as a means of significantly enhancing cropping system nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status improvement.

Influence of Crop Establishment Techniques, Fertilization and Microbial Consortia on Potassium Nutrition of Wheat

A field experiment was conducted for 2 years (2013-14 and 2014-15) during winter (Rabi) season at Research Farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India with an objective to study the significance of two microbial consortia inoculations, zinc (Zn) fertilization (5 kg Zn ha-1 through ZnSO4∙7H2O soil application in each crop at sowing) and three rates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization on potassium (K) concentration, uptake and as well as ammonium acetate (NH4OAC)-extractable K content in soil at different growth stages in wheat. The microbial consortia used were Anabaena sp. (CR1) + Providencia sp. (PR3) and Anabaena-Pseudomonas biofilmed bio-fertilizer; while rate of fertilization were 0, 75% and 100% of recommended rate of nutrients (RDN) (120 kg N ha-1 and 25.8 kg P ha-1). The concentration and uptake of K was significantly higher in zero tillage wheat (ZTW) than conventional drill-sown wheat (CDW) and system of wheat intensification (SWI) at all observations except at 30 days after sowing. The application of 100% RDN and Zn fertilization have significant and positive effect on K uptake. The microbial consortia increase K concentration and uptake by 0.09-0.12 mg kg-1 and 9.9-12.7 kg ha-1 in straw and 0.08-0.11 mg kg-1 and 3.8-5.6 kg ha-1 in grain. The soil ammonium acetate (NH4OAC)-extractable K decreased by 87-108 kg ha-1 and 19-44 kg ha-1 in first and second year, respectively over initial soil K even after application of recommended rate of K (49.8 kg ha-1). Our study concludes the significant increase in K uptake due to ZTW and use of microbial consortia and there is the need for redeciding K fertilization in wheat for sustained productivity.