Soybean-wheat Cropping System Research Articles

Sulfonated nitrogen and added-sulfur sources influence productivity, quality, and nutrient acquisition of soybean-wheat cropping system

Soybean-wheat is the predominant cropping system covering >2.5 Mha area in India. The lower productivity of soybean-wheat cropping system (SWCS), remains a serious concern primarily due to inadequate nutrient management. Increasing sulfur (S) deficiency is widespread, especially under oilseed-based cropping system. Hence, to standardize the S requirement through customized fertilization, an experiment was conducted in completely randomized block design (RBD) comprised of 12 nutrient sources, replicated thrice. The study aims to evaluate the agronomic performance of sulfonated nitrogen (SN) in comparison to conventional S nutrient sources in SWCS. The maximum soybean productivity was recorded under NPK + S through 40-0-0-13 (SN1), although NPK + 50% S (15 kg/ha) as basal and 50% (15 kg/ha) as top dressing through SN2 10-0-0-75 produced maximum wheat grain yield. When compared with no nitrogen (control), the application of 30 kg S ha−1 to both crops increased the productivity of the soybean-wheat cropping system up to 39%. The maximum system (SWCS) productivity (8.45 tha-1) was obtained with the application of 50% S as basal and 50% as top dressing (SN2-based), remaining N through urea. The highest sustainable yield index of soybean (SYIS), i.e. 0.90 was under SN1+ remaining N through urea and likewise highest sustainable yield index of wheat (SYIW) was under S splitting. The application of SN also improved the nutrient acquisition and grain quality of soybean and wheat with a positive nutrient balance in the soil. The protein content and yield of soybean and wheat grains also improved. The higher gluten content in wheat grain was produced with 60 kg S ha−1 applied. The agronomic efficiency of N and S (AEN and AEs) were highest under SN1 and SN2, respectively (32.8 kg grain/kg N applied; 15 kg grain/kg S applied) in soybean, however in wheat, S splitting and urea application resulted in highest agronomic efficiency (AEN and AES) of N and S (17.1 kg grain/kg N applied; 22.3 kg grain/kg S applied respectively). Hence splitting of S doses of SN along with urea and recommend P, K was found efficient for the soybean-wheat cropping system.

Productivity, soil health, and carbon management index of soybean-wheat cropping system under double zero-tillage and natural-farming based organic nutrient management in north-Indian plains

Conservation-agriculture and organic-farming are two sustainable-agriculture approaches to ensure food security and environmental-sustainability. Hence, a field study assessed the productivity, soil-health and carbon-dynamics of soybean-wheat cropping system (SWCS) under four tillage and residue-management practices (TRMPs) viz., Conventional-tillage without residues (CT-R), conventional-tillage with residue-retention in both crops at 3 t ha−1 each (CT + R), zero-tillage without residues (ZT-R), and zero-tillage with residue-retention in both crops at 3 t ha−1 each (ZT + R); and five organic-nutrient-management-practices (ONMPs) in both crops viz., 100 % RDF (N1), 100 % RDN through FYM (N2), 100 % RDN through VC (N3), 100 % RDN through FYM + Biofertilizers + Cow-urine + Panchgavya + Jeevamrut (N4), and 100 % RDN through VC + Biofertilizers + Cow-urine + Panchgavya + Jeevamrut (N5), in split-plot-design replicated-thrice. Among TRMPs, ZT + R enhanced system-productivity (SEY) by ∼17.2 % over CT-R, besides improved soil available-N, P, K by 6.4, 6.5 and 6.5 %, respectively. SMBC, SMBN and SMBP were higher under ZT + R by 16.2, 21.5 and 10.8 % over CT-R, respectively. ZT + R had higher soil enzyme activities of DHA, Acid-P, ALP, URA, and FDA over CT-R by 19.4, 20.7, 21.5, 20.7 and 15.2 %, respectively. ZT + R also had higher VLC, ACP, LI and CMI over CT-R. Among ONMPs, the natural-farming based ONMP, N5 considerably improved SMBC, SMBN, SMBP, FDA, DHA, Acid-P, URA, and ALP by 12.7–12.9 % over N1 (100 % RDF). ONMP-N5 improved the available-N, P, K content over N1 by 6.6, 5.8 and 6.7 %, respectively. ONMP-N5 had higher (p < 0.05) microbial-count, VLC, APC, LI and CMI; however, system-productivity was ∼4.1 % lower than N1 in this two-years' short-study which further need investigation in multi-location long-term experiments. Overall, the dual-crop basis ZT + R at 6 t ha−1 year−1 + NF-based ONMPs (N5) may harness higher and sustained productivity under SWCS besides advancing soil-health and soil carbon-pools in sandy-loam soils of north-Indian plains and similar soils across south-Asia.

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Properties under Long-Term Fertilizer Experiment in Vertisol

Aims: To study the effect of continuous fertilization on soil properties and soil carbon stock, in a long-term experiment under a wheat-soybean cropping system in Vertisol.&#x0D; Study Design: The experiment was laid in a Randomized block design and consisted of three replications and nine treatments.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Soil samples were collected during April 2022 following the harvest of Wheat from the on-going long-term fertilizer experiment at Jawahar Nehru Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India&#x0D; Methodology: The soil samples were collected from two depths (0-15 and 15-30cm) and were analyzed for properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, available N, available P and available K using standard procedures.&#x0D; Results: The results indicated that out of all the treatments continued application of 100% NPK+ Farm yard manure had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on all the parameters. This treatment had the highest value for in both 0-15 and 15-30 cm: SOC%(0.79% and 0.73%), available N(319.3 kg ha-1 , 275.00), available P(40.11 kg ha-1, 37.85 kg ha-1), available K (326.33 kg ha-1, 302.9 kg ha-1).&#x0D; Conclusion: Continued application of both 100%NPK along with FYM has a significant positive impact on the build-up of nutrients in the soil. This indicates that integrated application of nutrition assures productivity soil in the long.

Enzymatic activities in a vertisol as influenced by long term nutrient management practices in soybean-wheat cropping system

Enzymatic activities in a vertisol as influenced by long term nutrient management practices in soybean-wheat cropping system

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 (&lt;15) and phytic acid/Fe (&lt;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.

Change in phosphorus availability, fractions, and adsorption-desorption by 46-years of long-term nutrient management in an Alfisol of eastern India

In acid soils, majority of the applied phosphorus (P) transforms to sparingly soluble Fe (PFe) and Al phosphates (PAl), triggering rampant P deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of long-term (46-years) nutrient management practices on P fractions and P adsorption-desorption behaviour of an acid soil with a soybean-wheat cropping system. Out of ten treatments employed in this experiment, eight most pertinent to the study, viz., control, N (100 % of recommended N fertilizer), NP (100 % of recommended N and P fertilizers), 50 % NPK (50 % of recommended N, P, and K fertilizers), NPK, 150 % NPK, NPK+FYM (100 % of recommended N, P, and K fertilizers with farmyard manure), and NPK+Lime (100 % of recommended N, P, and K fertilizers with lime) were selected. The findings revealed that amorphous Fe and Al, which play a significant role in P fixation, increased due to cultivation. The treatment 150 % NPK recorded the highest available P (104 mg kg-1), followed by NPK+FYM (84.1 mg kg-1) at 0–15 cm depth. The PFe was the dominant inorganic P fraction (25–46 %) while soluble and loosely bound P (the easiest plant available fraction) was the lowest (0.9–1.9 %). The long-term cultivation led to an accumulation of PFe and PAl fractions while caused dissolution of calcium bound P (PCa). The highest content of organic P (Po) was recorded with NPK+FYM (234 kg ha-1). The analysis of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms indicated that NPK+FYM and 150 % NPK reduced the P adsorption maxima to 341 and 231 mg kg-1, respectively, compared to 406 mg kg-1 for NPK. Moreover, these treatments increased the P sorption saturation to 33 % and 37 %, respectively, as compared to 12 % for NPK, and significantly enhanced P desorption, raising concerns about eutrophication. A path analysis was carried out to elucidate the effects of P dosage, liming, and manuring on soil properties, available P, P adsorption-desorption parameters, yield, and P uptake. In summary, the NPK+Lime treatment offered the most balanced approach, improving both crop yield and P uptake while effectively managing P dynamics in the soil. On the contrary, long-term application of NPK+FYM in an acid soil may result in faster P saturation of adsorption sites and increase the chances of leaching and eutrophication. Furthermore, tailored P fertilization strategies should be developed to better utilize the PFe and PAl fractions and supplementing applied P.

Integrated Nutrient Management Practices and their Effect on Soil Health in Relation of Enzyme Dynamics and Biota in a Long-Term Diverse Cropping System in Vertisols of Central India

Organic farming is gaining popularity as it maintains food yields and soil health without harming the environment. However, there is a dearth of global data on enzymes involved in the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur cycles; microbial elemental stoichiometry; and soil functional diversity. On the other hand, organic farming lacks the most sensitive biological components and enzyme activity based on soil quality indices. It all started in 2004 when four of India's largest soybean-based cropping systems participated in a trial to examine the viability of nutrient management in soybean-based cropping systems (soybean-wheat, soyabean-mustard, soybean-chickpea, and soybean-linseed). Herein, we report the findings of a soybean-wheat cropping system studied for Vertisol under six nutrient management practises. Chemical characteristics of the soil were studied before and after seeding. Enzyme activity, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), and microbial count were studied in biological parameters. The chemical, biological and agronomic parameters of the soybean crop were statistically examined using the Randomized Block Design. The analysis of the various parameters from the surface soils (0–15 cm). The biological activity varied significantly between treatments. The agronomical indicators also exhibited significant values in the organically treated plot. Organic treatments improved agronomic conditions, stabilised soil, and improved its nutrient content, quality, and biological activity over time. The inorganically treated plot and the state recommended dose plot had the lowest nutritional content, as suggested by the lowest biological activity parameters. Soil fertility and nutrient availability were studied in this experiment in order to comprehend why switching from chemical to integrated nutrient application practises will be helpful towards the inception of a sustainable future.

Influence of Different Residue Retention and Nutrient Levels on Crop Productivity of Soybean (Glycine max L.) under Conservation Agriculture

During the kharif season of 2020-22, a field experiment with soybean in a soybean-wheat cropping system was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, (M.P.) to assess the effect of different levels of crop residue retention treatments and nutrient doses on growth parameters, physiological indices, yield attributes, yield and profitability of soybean. The experiment was laid out with Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) comprised of 16 combinations of 4 residue level (0%, 30%, 60% and 90%) and 4 nutrient doses (N1-RDF (120:60:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1), N2-75% N+100% P2O5 and K2O ha-1, N3-75% P2O5+100% N and K2O ha-1, N4-75% K2O+100% N and P2O5 ha-1) with 3 replication under ongoing CRP-CA (Consortium Research Platform on Conservation Agriculture). The result showed that growth parameters, physiological indices as well as yield, yield attributes and profitability were significantly higher in 90% than other crop reside retention treatment. The higher (90%) crop residue retention resulted in 16% higher grain yield, 16.88% stover yield and 17.55% higher profitability then without residue treatment. Among different nutrient doses 100% RDF showed significantly higher growth and better physiological indices at all the growth stages. Significantly higher seed (1226 kg ha-1) and stover (2274 kg ha-1) yields were recorded with 100% RDF with any other management practices.

Tillage-based nutrient management practices for sustaining productivity and soil health in the soybean-wheat cropping system in Vertisols of the Indian semi-arid tropics

To achieve higher crop production in a soybean-wheat cropping system, comprehensive knowledge of soil fertility status and its variability is crucial. However, a significant gap exists between the potential and actual productivity of this system in the Vertisols of Indian semi-arid tropics. Therefore, 2 years of field research were conducted to investigate how different crop management practices affect soil fertility in this cropping system. The trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five crop management practices: CAO (conservation tillage + organic nutrient and weed management), CAC (conservation tillage + chemical nutrient and weed management), CTC (conventional tillage + chemical nutrient and weed management), OCT (conventional tillage + organic nutrient and weed management), and PoPs (package of practices). Results showed that CAO significantly (p &amp;lt; 0.05) increased soil organic C (6.8 g kg−1), available N (129.5 mg kg−1), P (11.0 mg kg−1), K (232.6 mg kg−1), Fe (9.17 mg kg−1), and Mn (10.48 mg kg−1) at topsoil (0–15 cm) and deeper layers (15–60 cm). In contrast, CAC had significantly (p &amp;lt; 0.05) higher soil availability of Ca (5,072 mg kg−1) and Mg (901 mg kg−1) and Cu (0.84 mg kg−1). On the other side, PoPs resulted in the highest S (10.05 mg kg−1) and Zn (0.85 mg kg−1) availability in the topsoil. Our results evidently suggested S and Zn availability as key indicators of soil health sustenance in the present agroecosystem. Notably, CAC had significantly (p &amp;lt; 0.05) higher system productivity (4.62 t ha−1) than the other treatments, showing a 14.0, 6.3, and 18.2% increase over CAO, CTC, and OCT, respectively. Based on the results, it is recommended that CAC is a better option for achieving higher system productivity, while CAO is the best option for ensuring long-term sustainability of soil fertility. The findings of this study could be useful for farmers and agricultural researchers in designing efficient crop management practices to improve the productivity and sustainability of soybean-wheat cropping system in arid to semiarid ecology.

Effect of Inorganic and Integrated Long-term Nutrient Management on DTPA-extractable Micronutrients in a Vertisol under Soybean-wheat Cropping System across the Soil Depth

The status of DTPA extractable micronutrient (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) in response of continuous application of different inorganic and organic fertilizer combination in a 48 years old ongoing long-term fertilizer experiment (AICRP-LTFE) were investigated in Vertisol at Department of Soil Science, and Agricultural Chemistry, JNKVV, Jabalpur under intensive cultivation of soybean- wheat cropping system in 2021. The treatments selected for the study were: control (T1); 100% NP(T2); 100% NPK (T3); 100% NPK+FYM (T4); 100% N(T5); 50% NPK (T6); 150% NPK (T7). Application of FYM along with balance fertilizer (100% NPK) significantly increased the micronutrients availability in soil. On contrast, Imbalance fertilization caused a lower level of micronutrients in soil even below to the critical limit in case of zinc. A decreasing trend with increase in soil depth irrespective of type of nutrient management and micronutrient type was evident in the study. Findings of the present study emphasized the application of balance fertilization along with organic sources like FYM for sustaining micronutrients availability in Vertisol under soybean-wheat cropping system.

Impact of Long-term Nutrient Management Practices on Physical Properties of a Vertisol in Central India

Health of any soil is influenced by its physical properties to greater extent which has been more prominent in Vertisols due to their self-till behavior. Differential application of nutrients in long-term may alter the soil properties at temporal and spatial scales. Inventory on effect of different long-term nutrient management practices on physical properties across the soil depths, especially on Vertisols of central India, is insufficient. Present study examined the long-term (48 years) effect of different combinations of organic and inorganic nutrient management practices under soybean-wheat cropping system on various physical properties (Bulk density, Particle density, Porosity and Water holding capacity) of a Vertisol in of central India. In the present study, soil sample were collected at four depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 cm) in triplicate from seven treatments (Control, 100% NP, 100% NPK, 100% NPK+FYM, 100% N, 50% NPK and 150% NPK) of permanent plots of AICRP on LTFE (initiated in 1972), Jabalpur. By differential nutrient management practices the bulk density and porosity affected significantly up to 30 cm soil depth and beyond that up to 60 cm non-significantly. At all selected soil depths, water holding capacity were significantly affected. On contrary, a non-significant effect was observed on particle density by various nutrient managements. This study indicated a positive impact of balance fertilizer application and integrated approach of nutrient management on physical properties of soil.

Performance of diversified cropping sequences for productivity, profitability and land use efficiency under south-eastern Rajasthan, India

A field experiment was conducted during 4 consecutive years (2015–16 to 2018–19) at Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj, Kota, Rajasthan to study the performance of diversified cropping sequences for productivity, profitability and land-use efficiency under south-eastern Rajasthan. The experiment comprised 10 cropping sequences in a randomized block design with 3 replications. Maximum soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] equivalent yield (8,507 kg/ha), production efficiency (31.16 kg/ha/day) and relative production efficiency (79.85%) were obtained in fodder sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]–bitter guard [Momordica charantia (L.)] (low tunnel) cropping sequence. The maximum land-use efficiency of (86.51%) was observed in direct-seeded rice [Oryza sativa (L.)] (short duration)-desi wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–summer greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] cropping sequence followed by short duration soybean-Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.)]–cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)] Walp.] (vegetable + fodder) (81.85%) and sweet corn [Zea mays (L.)]–field pea (Pisum sativum var. arvenses (L.) Poir.)–onion [Allium cepa (L.)] (transplanted) (81.03%) crop sequences. Maximum and significantly higher net returns (`163,240/ha) and relative economic efficiency (46.64%) were fetched in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] (broad bed) + direct-seeded rice (furrow)–vegetable pea (broad bed) + coriander [Coriandrum sativum (L.)] (furrow)-spring greengram. The next best treatment was sweet corn–field pea–onion (transplanted), closely followed by quality protein maize (raised bed)–fennel [Foeniculum vulgare (L.)] (raised bed) to the tune of 39.23 and 36.69% over existing system, respectively. The maximum and significantly higher benefit: cost ratio (2.55) was fetched with quality protein maize (raised bed)–fennel (raised bed) cropping sequence, being at par with blackgram (broad bed) + direct-seeded rice (furrow)–vegetable pea (broad bed) + coriander (furrow)-spring greengram (2.52). Highest economic efficiency (`612/ha/day) was recorded in soybean (short duration) + red gram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] (2:1 row)–oat [Avena sativa (L.)] for fodder–summer greengram cropping sequence, followed by blackgram (broad bed) + direct seeded rice (furrow)– vegetable pea (broad bed) + coriander (furrow)– spring greengram (`594/ha/day) and quality protein maize (raised bed)–fennel (raised bed) (`590/ha/day). Directseeded rice (long duration)–berseem [Trifolium alexandrinum (L.)] (fodder) crop sequence had the lowest soybean-equivalent yield (4,546 kg/ha), production efficiency (16.79 kg/ha/day), relative production efficiency (– 3.89%), economic efficiency (`348/ha/day) and relative economic efficiency (–15.43%). Thus, it can be concluded that blackgram (broad bed) + direct seeded rice (furrow)-vegetable pea (broad bed)-leafy coriander (furrow)-spring greengram was found more productive and remunerative cropping sequence followed by sweet corn–field pea-onion (transplanted) and quality protein maize (raised bed) –fennel (raised bed) as diversified cropping sequences for better productivity, profitability and land use efficiency compared to existing soybean-wheat cropping system under south-eastern Rajasthan, India.

Response of Contrasting Nutrient Management Regimes on Soil Aggregation, Aggregate-Associated Carbon and Macronutrients in a 43-Year Long-Term Experiment

The present investigation evaluated the effect of continuous application (&gt;43 years) of organic and inorganic fertilisers on soil aggregate stability, aggregate size distribution, aggregate-associated carbon and its fractions, and total macro-nutrient content under the soybean–wheat cropping system in vertisols of the semi-arid region. Seven contrasting treatments consisted of T1 (50% NPK), T2 (100% NPK), T3 (150% NPK), T4 (100% NP), T5 (100% N), T6 (100% NPK + FYM) and T7 Control (crop raised without addition of any nutrient). The highest and lowest percentage of large macroaggregates (11.3%) was found in T6 and T7 treatments. The NPK + FYM (T6) treatments substantially increased the proportion of the macroaggregate fractions (&gt;2 mm and 2–0.25 mm) than other treatments. However, different manure and fertilisation treatments did not affect the proportion of silt + clay aggregates. Long-term application of 100% NPK + FYM increased mean weight diameter (MWD) and stable water aggregates (WSA) by 35.7 and 6.01% over control. The aggregate-associated SOC followed the trend of large macroaggregates &gt; microaggregates &gt; small macroaggregates &gt; silt + clay fractions. Application of long-term manure plus inorganic fertiliser (T6) has also increased Walkley Black soil organic carbon (WBSC), permanganate oxidisable carbon (KMnO4-C), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), carbon mineralisation (CM), total soil carbon (TSC), total soil N (TSN), total soil phosphorus (TSP) and total soil potassium (STK) by 82.1, 71.6, 182, 42.4, 23.9, 41.6, 117 and 18.4%, respectively, over control (T7). The lowest metabolic quotient (MetQ) value of 5.13 mg CO2–C mg−1 MBC h−1 was obtained in the control treatment (T7). The lowest MetQ was recorded in the integrated application of manure + inorganic fertiliser, i.e., 100% NPK + FYM (T6). Similarly, microbial quotient (MiQ) was also higher in treatment T6 (100% NPK + FYM) and lower in T7 (control). It is concluded that the application of inorganic fertiliser alone is insufficient to maintain soil health and sustainability so, combined application of manure plus inorganic fertilisation is the most important nutrient management practice for long-term soil sustainability because it maintains SOC levels in soils for long periods and ultimately ensures the soil health of soybean–wheat cropping systems in the vertisols of semi-arid regions.

Effect of Hydrogel Application on Soil Health and Crop Productivity under Soybean-Wheat Cropping System in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Effect of Hydrogel Application on Soil Health and Crop Productivity under Soybean-Wheat Cropping System in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Simultaneously genetic selection of wheat yield and grain protein quality in rice-wheat and soybean-wheat cropping systems through critical nitrogen efficiency-related traits.

Analyzing the contribution of nitrogen (N) uptake and its utilization in grain yield and protein quality-related traits in rice-wheat (RW) and soybean-wheat (SW) cropping systems is essential for simultaneous improvements in the two target traits. A field experiment with nine wheat genotypes was conducted in 2018–19 and 2019–20 cropping years to investigate N uptake and utilization-related traits associated with high wheat yield and good protein quality. Results showed that N uptake efficiency (NUpE) in the RW cropping system and N utilization efficiency (NUtE) in the SW cropping system explained 77.6 and 65.2% of yield variation, respectively, due to the contribution of fertile spikes and grain number per spike to grain yield varied depending on soil water and N availability in the two rotation systems. Lower grain protein content in the RW cropping system in comparison to the SW cropping system was mainly related to lower individual N accumulation at maturity, resulting from higher fertile spikes, rather than N harvest index (NHI). However, NHI in the SW cropping system accounted for greater variation in grain protein content. Both gluten index and post-anthesis N uptake were mainly affected by genotype, and low gluten index caused by high post-anthesis N uptake may be related to the simultaneous increase in kernel weight. N remobilization process associated with gluten quality was driven by increased sink N demand resulting from high grain number per unit area in the RW cropping system; confinement of low sink N demand and source capability resulted in low grain number per spike and water deficit limiting photosynthesis of flag leaf in the SW cropping system. CY-25 obtained high yield and wet gluten content at the expense of gluten index in the two wheat cropping systems, due to low plant height and high post-anthesis N uptake and kernel weight. From these results, we concluded that plant height, kernel weight, and post-anthesis N uptake were the critically agronomic and NUE-related traits for simultaneous selection of grain yield and protein quality. Our research results provided useful guidelines for improving both grain yield and protein quality by identifying desirable N-efficient genotypes in the two rotation systems.

Effect of Long Term Fertilizer and FYM Application on Soil Fertility of a Vertisol under Soybean-wheat Cropping System

The present studies were conducted under All India Coordinated Research Project on Long Term Fertilizer Experiment, which was commenced since, 1972. To assess the effect of 48 years (1972-73 to 2019-20) continuous application of inorganic fertilizers with or without organic manure i.e. FYM on soil fertility status of Vertisols under soybean-wheat cropping system. The results of the present study showed that the application of recommended dose of N, P and K (20:80:20 kg ha-1 to soybean and 120:80:40 kg ha-1 to wheat) with organic manure @ 5 t FYM ha-1 improved the status of available N, P and S but decline in available K. Further, the integrated use of fertilizers with organic manure enhanced the soil organic carbon contents (9.5 g kg-1) from its initial value (5.7 g ka-1). Conjoint use of FYM with 100% NPK substantially improved contribution towards sustaining the soil fertility. A declining trend (228 to 335 kg ha-1) from its initial value (370.0 kg ha-1) of available K status was also observed as a result of continuous application of fertilizer and manure; this indicates considerable mining of available K from the soil. However, the decline of K was of lower magnitude with 100% NPK + FYM and 150% NPK treatments indicating the need to raise the dose of K fertilizer application to meet the demand of crops. Further, soil available nutrients to be adversely affected due to the imbalanced use of nutrients viz., 100% NP or 100% N alone treatments. Thus, the balance use of fertilizers continuously either alone or in combination with organic manure is necessary for sustaining soil fertility and crop productivity.

Conservation Agricultural Practices Impact on Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Aggregation and Greenhouse Gas Emission in a Vertisol

Conservation agriculture (CA), comprising of minimum soil disturbance and crop residue retention (&gt;30%), with a diversified cropping system, has become increasingly popular around the world. It is recognized as a sustainable practice to improve soil health by augmenting key soil properties. However, scanty information exists about the effect of CA practices on soil organic carbon (SOC), aggregation and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in a vertisol. Thus, this study investigated the effect of CA practices on SOC, soil aggregation and GHG emission under soybean-wheat and maize-chickpea cropping systems in a vertisol in Central India. Treatment consisted of three different tillage practices, being conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no tillage (NT) under four cropping systems viz., Soybean–Wheat, Soybean + Pigeon pea (2:1), Maize–Chickpea and Maize + Pigeon pea (1:1). Regardless of cropping system, the soil under NT and RT exhibited better aggregation (20.77 to 25.97% increase), and SOC (12.9 to 19.4% increase) compared to the CT practice in surface layers. The aggregate-associated C concentration increased with aggregate size, and it was highest with large macroaggregates and lowest with silt and clay fractions across different tillage and cropping systems. Higher SOC stock was recorded under NT (4.22 ± 0.133 Mg C/ha) compared to RT (3.84 ± 0.123 Mg C/ha) and CT (3.65 ± 0.04 Mg C/ha) practices at 0 to 5 cm depth. Thus, the adoption of CA practices reduced CO2 emissions, while also contributing to increases in SOC as well as improvement in soil structure.

Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Ranchi, Jharkhand-834006

The study was conducted under long term fertilizer experiment (LTFE) to assess the impact of nutrient management practices on biological health of acid soils under soybean-wheat cropping system at Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Ten treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. The integrated nutrient management involving the use of organic manure together with inorganic fertilization exerted a significant positive effect on soil microbial biomass carbon, CO2 evolution, dehydrogenase activity (DHA), urease and microbial population. Similarly, use of lime along with NPK also showed improvement in enzymatic activities, soil microbial biomass carbon, and CO2 evolution compared to 100% NPK and control. The microbiological properties were drastically reduced in 100% N only treatment. Application of 100% NPK was found to superior over 100% NP, 100% N and 50% NPK and 100% N(S)PK while the same was significantly at par with 150% NPK. The effect between weedicide applied and hand weeded treatments was also statistically at par for the grain and straw yield of wheat as well as for the biological properties of the soil. Long term application of FYM/lime with NPK significantly increased the mean grain and straw yield of wheat over the years (1972-2019) compared to only inorganic fertilization and control. Overall, continuous application of FYM or lime along with 100% NPK improved the soil biological health and increased the crop yield in acid soil under wheat based cropping system.

Tillage and nutrient management influence net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity in soybean-wheat cropping system

Conservation tillage has proven advantageous in improving soil health and productivity. However, the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission and intensity from different conservation tillage and nutrient management systems under Indian conditions are less understood. Therefore, here, we compared the effect of tillage and nutrient management on GHGs emissions, net global warming potential (NGWP), and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) from a field experiment under five years in a soybean-wheat cropping system in the Vertisols. The tillage treatments comprised of reduced tillage (RT) and no tillage (NT). The three nutrient management treatments included application of 100% NPK (T1), 100% NPK + 1.0 Mg FYM-C ha-1 (T2), 100% NPK +2.0 Mg FYM-C ha-1 (T3). The results showed significantly higher SOC sequestration under NT (1388 kg ha-1 yr-1) followed byRT (1134 kg ha-1 yr-1) with application of FYM (2.0 Mg C ha-1) (T3) every year. Across tillage, integrated nutrient management(T2 and T3) lowered NGWP and GHGI compared to NPK (T1). The GHGI of NT system was less by 33% compared to RT. The results suggest that GHGs mitigation and sustained food production in the soybean-wheat system can be achieved in NT and RT with integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizer as the major component of nutrient management.

Drainage Technologies for Enhancing Productivity of Temporary Waterlogged Vertisols

A field study on Broad Bed and Furrows (BBF) to control surface waterlogging and mole drain to control temporary sub-surface water logging in Vertisols regions of Madhya Pradesh in soybean-wheat cropping system was conducted for a period of four years from 2016 to 2019. The BBF system comprising of 65 m length, 1.50 m spacing, and different depths (150 - 250 mm) resulted in 29-35% and 14-15% increase in soybean crop yield over control in normal and above normal rainfall (rainfall &gt; 1050 mm) and below normal rainfall condition (rainfall &lt; 750 mm), respectively. Mole drainage (MD) comprising of mole drains of 85 mm size formed at 4 m drain spacing and at a depth of 500 mm with 65 m lateral length resulted in 51% increase in soybean grain yield over the control under normal and above normal rainfall conditions. Soybean grain yield increased by 66- 74% under the treatment comprising of BBF coupled with MD over the control in above normal rainfall condition. The grain yield increase under mole drainage coupled with BBF for below normal rainfall condition was non-significant over the treatments comprising of BBFs only. The benefit-cost ratio for soybean crop cultivation using BBF, MD, BBF coupled with MD and conventional systems were found to be 1.65, 1.99, 2.03, and 0.98, respectively. The payback period of mole drainage technology was found to be less than 2 years. The effect of mole drainage on subsequent wheat crop recorded 11-12% increase in yield over the control. Field study revealed that BBF and BBF coupled with MD systems are technically feasible and economically viable for effective drainage of Vertisols.