Rice-wheat Cropping Sequence Research Articles

Root parameters and water productivity of rice and wheat in a rice‒wheat cropping system as influenced by enriched compost and crop establishment methods

Food security worldwide is largely dependent on the rice–wheat cropping sequence (RWCS) Hence, a field study was carried out during 2018–19 and 2019–20 at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, to determine the effect of various enriched organic sources and crop establishment methods on the root parameters, water productivity and yield of rice, its carryover effect on the succeeding wheat crop and the overall efficiency of system. A split plot design was used which involved two main plot treatments, viz., aerobic rice (AR) and conventional transplanted (CT) rice, and five subplot treatments, viz., T1: control (without fertilizer), T2: 100 % RDF (100 % fertilization by using inorganic sources), T3: 50 % phosphorus was applied by using P-enriched compost + 50 % P was applied by using DAP, T4: 50 % N was applied by using N-enriched compost + 50 % nitrogen was applied by using DAP and urea, and T5: 100 % organic fertilizer was applied (100 % fertilization by using N-enriched compost and P-enriched compost). After rice, wheat was grown in all the plots under uniform management practices. Among the nutrient sources, T4 had greater effects on root activity, system economic water productivity and system water productivity than did the other treatments. CT rice can be recommended under irrigated conditions with the integration of enriched compost and inorganic fertilizers. However, under rainfed conditions with less available water, aerobic rice can also be produced by combining enriched compost and inorganic fertilizer.

Carbon offset potential of biochar based straw management under rice- wheat system along Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

The Paris Agreement goal of a net-zero equation will require decarbonization technologies in agriculture. Agri-waste biochar offers huge potential for carbon abatement in agricultural soils. The present experiment was carried out to compare the effects of residue management, viz., no residue (NR), residue incorporation (RI), and biochar (BC), as well as nitrogen options for emission reduction and carbon capture under the rice-wheat cropping sequence (RWCS) of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), India. After two cycles of cropping pattern, the analysis revealed that the biochar application (BC) reduces the RWCS's annual CO2 emissions by 18.1 % over residue incorporation (RI), while CH4 and N2O emissions were reduced by 23 % and 20.6 % over RI and 11 % and 29.3 % over no residue (NR), respectively. The application of biochar-based nutrient composites with rice straw biourea (RSBU) at 100 % and 75 % significantly reduced greenhouse gases (CH4 and N2O) compared to commercial urea at 100 %. The global warming potential of cropping systems recorded with BC was 7 % and 19.3 % lower than NR and RI, respectively, while 6–15 % under RSBU over urea 100 %. The annual carbon footprint (CF) under BC and NR decreased by 37.2 % and 30.8 % over RI, respectively. The net CF under residue burning was estimated to be the highest (132.5 Tg CO2-Ce), followed by RI (55.3 Tg CO2-Ce), showing net positive emissions; however, net negative emissions were found under a biochar-based system. The estimated annual carbon offset potential of a complete biochar system over residue burning, incorporation, and partial biochar as calculated was 189, 112, and 92 Tg CO2-Ce yr−1, respectively. A biochar-based approach to managing rice straw had great carbon offset potential through a large drop in greenhouse gas emissions and an improved soil carbon pool under the rice wheat system along the IGP, India.

Evaluating Biogas Slurry for Phosphorus to Wheat in a Rice–Wheat Cropping Sequence

Evaluating Biogas Slurry for Phosphorus to Wheat in a Rice–Wheat Cropping Sequence

Long-term Impact of Soil Test and Targeted Yield Based Nutrient Management on Vertical Variability in Carbon Fractions of a Vertisol under Rice-wheat Cropping Sequence

Aim: To study the Long-term impact of soil test and targeted yield based nutrient management on vertical variability in carbon fractions of a Vertisol under rice-wheat cropping sequence.
 Place and Duration of Study: This research trail was conducted during rabi season of 2020-21 in an on-going research programme of AICRP on STCR initiated during 2008 at the Research Farm of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur.
 Study Design: The study has consisted of six treatments of nutrient management practices based on soil test and targeted yields of rice and wheat (T1: Control; T2: GRD; T3: T.Y. 50 and 45 q ha-1 for rice and wheat; T4: T.Y. 60 q ha-1; T5: T.Y. 50 and 45 q with FYM 5 t ha-1 for rice and wheat and T6: T.Y. 60 q with 5 t FYM ha-1) at different soil depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm) which were replicated four times in a randomized block design.A total of 72 post- harvest soil samples of wheat were subjected to determination of carbon fractions across the soil depths.
 Results: Results revealed that Carbon fractions in soil were significantly altered by nutrient management practices over soil depths. However, the highest contents of organic and inorganic carbon fractions in soil were obtained under T6 having highest yield target of 60 q along with FYM 5 t ha-1 and the lowest in control. The results showed that contents of carbon fractions of soil were decreased with consecutive increase in soil depths except less labile carbon and inorganic carbon which increased with soil depths.

Correction to: Improving soil organic carbon and microbial functionality through different rice straw management approaches in rice–wheat cropping sequence

Correction to: Improving soil organic carbon and microbial functionality through different rice straw management approaches in rice–wheat cropping sequence

English

Present experiment was conducted during 2011-12 and 2012-13 at the research farm of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jablapur, Madhya Pradesh to study the performance of rice under various rice-based cropping systems. Total 12 rice-based cropping systems viz., rice followed by wheat, chickpea, onion-green gram, berseem, potato-sesame, gobhi sarson-black gram, vegetable pea-sesame, potato- ground nut, gobhi sarson- sorghum, gobhi sarson- okra, French bean and marigold-sesame were studied during the study period. The performance of rice was assessed by monitoring growth attributes (plant height, effective tillers, panicle length, weight of panicle, sterility percentage etc.), yield attributes (grains per panicle, test weight etc.) and grain yield. The results revealed that, among the various cropping system studied the performance of rice crop was found statistically superior under rice-wheat and rice-chickpea cropping sequence. The poor performance of rice crop was observed under rice-berseem followed by rice-marigold-sesame cropping system.

Improving soil organic carbon and microbial functionality through different rice straw management approaches in rice–wheat cropping sequence

Improving soil organic carbon and microbial functionality through different rice straw management approaches in rice–wheat cropping sequence

Effect of different nutrient sources on yield and biochemical properties of soil under rice–wheat cropping sequence in middle Gangetic alluvial plain

In the present agricultural scenario, balanced nutrients application is a key to improved crop production without deteriorating soil health. Therefore, from environmental concern, there is need to supplement a part of chemical fertilizers with locally available organics. To attain this objective, field experiments were conducted to study the effect of sewage sludge (SS), vermicompost (VC) and Sesbania (SB) using them by 75% recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers (RDF) and combination of customized fertilizers (CF) for rice and wheat separately and also sulfur (S), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) with RDF. Among the nutrient sources, the maximum grain yield in rice (4.92 t ha−1) recorded with 100% RDF applied along with S, Zn and B whereas in wheat (4.64 t ha−1), it was with CF. Total removal of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), S and B were higher by rice crop than that of wheat. The treatment with 75% RDF along with VC had significantly higher water holding capacity and lower bulk density of post-harvest soil (PHS) during both years. Organic carbon, available N, P, K content in PHS increased significantly by application of 100% RDF along with S, Zn, B and CF for both years. Application of S, Zn and B resulted a significant increase in available S and B content in soil over 100% RDF. Application of VC significantly increased the bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes population in PHS.

Threatening wheat diseases in the eastern Gangetic plains: the current status of disease resistance

Among the different diseases of wheat, spot blotch (causal organism: Bipolaris sorokiniana) is the most dominant disease in the eastern Gangetic plains of Indian subcontinent viz. India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The disease accounts for yield loss of more than 15% even with the adoption of moderately resistant varieties in the farmer’s fields. The severity of the disease has been increased in the last two decades after wide scale adoption of rice–wheat cropping sequence, reduced tillage and occurrence of terminal heat stress. Beside this, wheat blast (Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum) is also potential threat after its occurrence in Bangladesh in 2016. The present review summarizes current status of knowledge on the importance of the disease, its impact on crop loss, epidemiological conditions for disease development and breeding for disease resistance of both diseases. The future research work on genetics, use of molecular markers, cloning and characterization of genes for spot blotch resistance and monitoring of wheat blast disease, improvement of genetic resistance as well as development of predictive model has been suggested.

Diversification of Rice–wheat Cropping System Improves Growth, Productivity and Energetics of Rice in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Rice–wheat cropping system plays a vital role in ensuring food security of India. However, the long-term sustainability of the system is often questioned due to several problems associated with it. Diversification of the rice–wheat cropping system with suitable crops could be a possible solution. Thus, a field experiment consisting of ten rice-based cropping sequences was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, for two consecutive years to study the effects of crop diversification on rice performance. The effect of crop diversification on rice was found to be significant only during the second year of experimentation. Results showed that rice–berseem–cowpea fodder followed by rice–potato–green gram sequence recorded highest growth, yield, nutrients uptake, protein yield, carbohydrates yield, economics and energetics of rice. Rice–berseem–cowpea fodder sequence recorded significantly higher number of panicle m−2 (16%), grain yield (13.9%), straw yield (13.6%), total N, P, K uptake (17.2, 21.7, 17%, respectively), protein yield (14.6%) and carbohydrate equivalent yield (13.9%) over rice–wheat cropping sequence. In addition to above, rice–berseem–cowpea fodder sequence also proved significantly superior to rice–wheat cropping sequence and recorded higher gross returns (13.9%), net returns (46.6%), net energy (15.9%), energy productivity (13.8%) and energy intensity (13.9%). Rice–berseem–cowpea fodder and rice–potato–green gram were found the most suitable cropping sequence to diversify rice–wheat cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plain for better performance of rice.

Vertical distribution of different pools of soil organic carbon under long-term fertilizer experiment on rice-wheat sequence in mollisols of North India

ABSTRACT A profound consideration of soil organic carbon (SOC) and SOC pools as affected by the long-term use of fertilizer in a fixed crop sequence is essential to understand and maintain the health and productivity of soil. The dynamics of SOC pools, i.e. total soil organic carbon (TOC) and its different fractions under a rice-wheat cropping system subjected to various fertilizer management strategies over 42 years was investigated near Uttarakhand, India. The soil at the experimental site was an Aquic Hapludoll consisting of a poorly drained silty clay loam (1–1.5 m deep) overlying loamy to sandy sediments. Over 42 years, application of 100% NPK+ FYM (Farm Yard Manure) was the most effective management system in increasing organic C up to 0 to 60 cm soil depths under rice-wheat sequence. The combination of this integrated input application (100% NPK + 15 t ha−1 FYM) significantly built organic carbon fractions like total organic carbon, microbial biomass C (MBC), particulate organic C (POC), KMnO4 oxidizable C, Humic C, Fulvic C, Humin C, water-soluble carbon and hot water extractable carbohydrates at all four soil depths. Hence, application of FYM along with NPK resulted in a significant positive building up of all pools in the treatment at all four depths. Therefore, balance fertilization is panaceally important for sustaining improved soil health with balanced organic status and production potentiality of the soil for rice-wheat cropping sequence.

Evaluation of Soil Test Methods for Available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in Direct-Seeded Rice–Wheat Cropping Sequence

A study was carried out in an attempt to obtain simple and efficient soil test method(s) for determination of available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in Mollisols. Soil samples were collected before sowing of direct-seeded rice (DSR) and wheat in sequence to evaluate the soil test methods for available N, P and K. Methods used were wet-oxidation for organic carbon (OC); alkaline KMnO4 for available N; Olsen’s-P, AB-DTPA and Mehlich-I for available P; and NH4OAc-K, AB-DTPA and Mehlich-I for available K. Suitability of these methods for given soil nutrients was evaluated by comparing the R2 values (coefficient of determination) obtained from regression analysis. Results showed that the R2 values of obtained equations by using different combinations of soil test methods for the determination of available N, P and K in soil were highly significant in both the crops. Highest R2 value for DSR (0.442**) and wheat (0.898**) were observed with the combination of OC, Olsen’s-P, ABDTPA-K, and OC, Olsen’s-P, Mehlich-K, respectively. It showed that these combinations are more promising and superior over other methods.

Microbial priming for in situ management of paddy straw and its effects on soil microbiological properties under rice-wheat cropping system

The rice-wheat cropping sequence is the major cropping system of India, which generates large quantities of crop residues. The disposal of paddy straw becomes a major concern in the rice belt of India, as it is burnt to clear the field for succeeding wheat crop. Incorporation of the residues in soil is not feasible because of insufficient time between harvesting of the rice and sowing of wheat, and immobilization of the nitrogen, which causes a reduction in the subsequent crop yield. Microbial interventions to accelerate the degradation may be a viable option for the effective management of farm residues. In this study, a field experiment including three treatments: residues removal (absolute control) and straw retention (@3t/ha) with/without inoculation of fungal consortium was undertaken at the farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2017-18. Application of fungal consortium (Coprinopsis cineria LA2 and Cyathus stercoreus ITCC 3745) alongwith straw incorporation resulted in a significant increase in the population of microbes. Higher activities of dehydrogenase (8.13 μg TPF /g/d), Carboxymethyl cellulase (0.46 IU/g of soil/d), xylanase (0.06 IU/g of soil/ d), FDA hydrolase (4.31μg fluorescein released /g/h) and alkaline phosphatase (242.98 μg PNP/g/h) enzymes were recorded in the soil of fungal consortium treated plot. Microbial intervention in residue management increased CO2 emission two to three fold within 15-60 days which indicates the role of inoculation in hastening the degradation process. Therefore, microbial priming can be a suitable option for in situ management of paddy straw.

Climate smart agricultural technologies in rice-wheat water stressed regions of Punjab, India- A review

Intensively cultivated rice-wheat cropping sequence of Punjab, India responsible for many sustainability issues viz. declining underground water, declining soil health, arising micro-nutrient deficiencies etc. Around 1.3 M ha-m additional withdrawal of water from the ground is being taken place annually in Punjab and mainly it is used for the rice crop which is not a traditional crop of the region. Puddling, seepage and percolation losses are the main sources of water loss from the rice based cropping systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGPs) and many Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) have been recommended for water saving. The real water saving techniques are those which hinder the water from going into those sinks from where it cannot be reused (Evaporation, E) and diverted greater fraction of water of ET toward transpiration (T) which is desired as greater transpiration, greater the inflow of water and nutrients andwhich ultimately increase the grain yield with the lesser consumption of irrigation water as interval in between two irrigation increases, which further increase the water productivity. Among different RCTs, short duration crop varieties and delaying transplanting time are the real water saving techniques for the regions where water table is already declining down, however other RCTs may be suitable for the regions facing water logging problems as these cut down the drainage losses and these energy saving rather than water saving techniques.

Residual effect of silicon and sulphur fertilization on growth and yield of wheat under rice-wheat cropping sequence

The field experiment was conducted on effect of silicon and sulphur on yield and chemical composition on rice and its residual effect on wheat in loamy sand soil during the kharif and rabi seasons for two years 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Regional Research Station Farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept, comprising 12 treatment combinations of four levels of silicon (Si) (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg/ha) and three levels of sulphur (S) (0, 20 and 40 kg/ha) with three replications and were applied to rice as a basal along with recommended dose of fertilizer (120: 40: 00 kg NPK/ha) and the residual effect of treatments was studied in wheat crop. Residual effect of applied Si @ 450 kg/ha along with S @ 40 kg/ha significantly increased the number of tillers per meter in row length, plant height, grain and straw yields of wheat over control. But it was at par with 300 kg Si/ha along with 20 kg S/ha in case of number of tillers per meter in row length, plant height and it was at par with 300 and 150 kg Si/ha in case of grain and straw yields of wheat.

Predicting Post-Harvest Soil Test Values in Hybrid Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) – Wheat (Triticum Aesitvum L.) Cropping Sequence Using a Multivariate Analysis Technique

ABSTRACTKnowledge of the initial soil fertility status is very crucial to make the soil test-based fertilizer recommendations and therefore it is necessary to develop alternative techniques to predict the post-harvest soil test values than analyzing the soils after every crop. The study was done to develop multiple linear regression (MLR) models to predict soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur in the hybrid rice-wheat cropping sequence. The post-harvest soil test values were considered as the dependent variable and initial soil nutrients applied nutrient through fertilizer and farmyard manure and grain yield as independent variables. In general, the accuracy of prediction for the calibration and validation models using the single year and two-year data model was significant and had a coefficient of determination was ≥0.75. Although the performance of MLR model to predict post-harvest soil N, P and S after the individual crop was better than that after whole rice-wheat cropping sequence, predictions of the post-rice-wheat sequence of soil N, P and S also had acceptable levels of accuracy. Thus, the concept of the using the MLR-based models to predict the post-harvest soil test values could be used in hybrid rice-wheat cropping sequence to make the soil test-based fertilizer recommendations to the individual crops or whole cropping sequence.

Soil salinity and land use-land cover interactions with soil carbon in a salt-affected irrigation canal command of Indo-Gangetic plain

Soil salinity poses a threat to the sustainable management of agricultural landscapes and has an effect on soil carbon storage. This study investigated land use-land cover (LULC) relations with soil organic carbon (C) in a salinity-infested landscape with inter-spun vegetated and non-vegetated land area. A sodicity infested command area (~100 ha) along Sharda Sahayak canal in Uttar Pradesh, India was selected for studying LULC effects on soil organic carbon (C) and soil properties to 60 cm soil depth. The area was divided in a grid of 100 m × 100 m, and soils were sampled and analyzed at 140 geo-referenced points representing five LULC classes. The LULC dominant in the representative area were barren-coverless (BC), barren-grass cover (BG), rice-fallow (RF), rice-wheat (RW), and rice-okra-mentha (ROM). Soil organic C decreased with depth, decreased with increase in soil pH, and decreased with an increase in exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). The effects were highly significant in surface layers (0–0.3 m). Similarly with electrical conductivity (EC) too, soil organic C had a negative correlation. Soil organic C varied significantly with LULC. The soil organic C content decreased in the order: ROM > RW > RF > BG > BC. As the intensity of crop/plant cover increased, the soil salinity (ESP, pH and EC) decreased. The average soil ESP was maximum in BC (44%) followed by BG (30%), RF (15%), RW (8.5%), and ROM (7.0%). The cumulative probability trends indicated the probability of lesser ESP with increased vegetative cover/primary productivity. A strong (p < 0.001), a negative relationship was observed between soil organic C and pH in rice-based systems. Analysis of soil organic C stock with depth for the studied LULCs indicated 4–70% (grass cover to rice-wheat cropping sequence) increase in total soil organic C stock just by supporting vegetative cover on barren sodic land. The study was indicative of scope for soil C sequestration and reclamative effects in salt-affected areas of Indo-Gangetic region by adopting appropriate land use strategies, which may include the adoption of rice-based and grass-based cropping systems, to check the development of sodicity in soils.

Integrated nutrient management (INM) on yield trends and sustainability, nutrient balance and soil fertility in a long-term (30 years) rice-wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India

We analyzed data from a long-term rice–wheat cropping sequence to evaluate the effects of integrated nutrient management (INM) on yield trends and sustainability, nutrient balance and soil fertility of the system. After 30th cycle, grain yield of both the crops significantly declined under control and highest rice and wheat grain yields were obtained when 50% N supplied through green manure and farm yard manure, respectively. The magnitude of yield slope under INM was found considerably higher than 100% recommended fertilizer (RDF). Sustainable yield index (SYI) for both the crops were found lower in control but considerably higher with the 100% RDF and under INM. The soils under all the treatments suffered an apparent loss of K and N (except where organics replacing 50% N). Correlation study also reveals K is the sole factor for the yield sustainability as apparent K balance was negatively correlated with SYI and yield slope.

Assessment of soil quality under maize-wheat cropping system of Milak block, district Rampur, Uttar Pradesh

Soil is one of the most important vital natural resource, defends the life supporting system of a country and socio-economic development of its people. More than ever before, a renewed attention is being given to soil due to rapid declining land area for agriculture, declining soil fertility and increasing soil degradation, wrong land policies and imbalance use of inputs (Kanwar, 2004). All the above factors call for a paradigm shift in research away from maximum crop production to the sustainability of crop production system without degradation of soil health and environmental quality. Soils differ greatly in their morphological, physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Since these characteristics affect the response of soil to management practices it is necessary to have information about these characteristics of each category of soil. Soil fertility is one of the important factors controlling yields of the crops. Within a soil, nutrient variability exists depending upon the hydrological properties of the soil and cropping system. In the present study 366 soil samples were collected from 21 gram panchayats and were analyzed. The soil samples were collected from rice-wheat cropping sequence. Analysis of soil samples revealed that 82 per cent samples were medium in organic matter content, 100 per cent soil samples were deficient in available nitrogen, while 92 per cent P and 100 per cent K samples were in medium range respectively. Among the micronutrients tested copper and iron were in sufficient range while manganese and zinc were deficient in soil.

Comparison the Efficient Reclamation of Different Inorganic Materials with Organic Amendments to Rice-Wheat Crop Sustainable Production in Salt-Affected Soils

Abstract Amelioration of salt-affected soils requires an integrated management approach, which not only improves their effectiveness for improving soil properties, but also increases the crop production and quality of the produce. Hence, a study was planned to evaluate combined use of organic and inorganic amendments for better rehabilitation of salt affected soil in ricewheat cropping sequence from 2013 to 2016. Treatments included T1 - control, T2 - gypsum @ 100 SGR, T3 - CaCl2 @ 50% SGR, T4 - CaCl2 @ 50% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1, T5 - H2SO4 @ 25% GR, T6 - H2SO4 @ 25% SGR + biogas slurry @10 tˑha-1. A saline sodic field was selected, prepared and leveled. Composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for pHs = 9.15, ECe (dS m-1) = 4.86, SAR (mmol L-1)1/2 = 42.52 and GR (tˑha-1) = 8.64. Experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. The inorganic amendments (gypsum and CaCl2) were applied 30 days before rice transplanting in the respective treatment plots, followed by leaching while biogas slurry was applied 15 days before transplanting and H2SO4 was applied with first irrigation. Recommended dose of fertilizer 120-110-70 NPK kg ha-1 for wheat (Inqlab-91) and 110-90-60 NPK kg ha-1 for rice (Shaheen Basmati) was applied. Soil samples were collected before application of amendment and after harvesting of each crop. Straw and grain/paddy yield data were recorded at maturity. Pooled data showed that grain/paddy and straw yield of wheat and rice crop was higher in T2 (gypsum @ 100% SGR), but statistically (P≤ 0.05) non significant with T4 (CaCl2 @ 50% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1). T3 (CaCl2 @ 50 % SGR) was at par with T6 (H2SO4 @ 25% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1), followed by T5 (H2SO4 @ 25% SGR). The minimum yield was recorded in T1 (control). Soil analysis showed that pHs, ECe and SAR were significantly decreased in T2, (Gypsum @ 100% SGR), followed by T4 (CaCl2 @ 50% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1). Hence, CaCl2 @ 50% SGR + biogas slurry @ 10 tˑha-1 may be an effective alternative reclamation strategy for areas that are restricted use because of salinity.