Soybean-wheat Cropping System Research Articles

Soil-test-crop-response based nutrient scheduling can improve soybean-wheat productivity and system sustainability

Soybean-wheat sequence, one of the most vital cropping systems for farmers, has been suffering for productivity stagnation and decline due to several factors. Strategic management of the inputs particularly the nutrients could aid the crops achieve optimum growth and yield. Keeping this in mind, four years of field experiment was conducted to study the effect of combining inorganic as well as organic nutrient sources using soil-test-crop-response (STCR) approach in a randomized block design having ten treatments including control, 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF), 50% RDF, 100% RDF + 5 kg Zn ha−1 (100% RDF + Zn), 100% RDF + 5 t farmyard manure ha−1 (100% RDF + FYM), 50% RDF + 5 t farmyard manure ha−1 (50% RDF + FYM), STCR inorganic with target yield-I (STCRI TY-I), STCR inorganic with TY-II, STCR integrated with TY-I (STCRO TY-I) and STCR integrated with TY-II (STCRO TY-II) with each treatment replicated thrice. The STCR equations were tailored for the experimental location and used to calculate the fertilizer requirements. Plant growth, yield, system yield, sustainability and economics, changes in soil parameters were analyzed during the study. The STCRO TY-II treatment showed 122.4 and 73.3% increase in yield of soybean and wheat over control, respectively and those were at par with the highest values recorded from 100% RDF + FYM treatment. Despite having low gross and net returns, decrease in benefit cost ratio was marginal (0.86%) in STCRO TY-II as compared to 100% RDF + FYM which indicated better utilization of resources with comparatively lower investment. In addition to that, it also performed reasonably well in improving soil available nutrient status (positive balance in available N, P, K and organic carbon), partial factor productivity of nutrients and sustainable yield index (2.43 times over control). The study elucidated significance of integrated nutrient management specially STCRO TY-II in improving soil health, optimizing yield and assuring economic sustainability in soybean-wheat cropping system.

Moisture studies in soybean-wheat cropping system under deficit irrigation, tillage and crop residue management

Moisture studies in soybean-wheat cropping system under deficit irrigation, tillage and crop residue management

Long-term fertilization strategies for improving productivity, profitability and water-use efficiency of soybean–wheat cropping systems

Abstract In order to recognize the best nutrient supply options for profitable and sustainable production systems, observations were recorded from 2001 to 2020 (20 years) in a long-term fertilizer experiment initiated in 1995–96 with soybean–wheat cropping systems (SWCSs) under irrigated conditions. The experiment comprised of seven treatments including control, organic, inorganic and their combinations. A combined use of 10 Mg farmyard manure (FYM)/ha (M) along with 120 kg N/ha provided statistically (P < 0.05) similar yield and economic benefits to the M + NPK and also provided a positive yield trend (30.0 and 16.2 kg/ha/year) and net return (14.7 and 5.81 US$/ha/year) over the year in both wheat and soybean, respectively. The combined use of organic and chemical fertilizers, provided 32–41% higher production efficiency than their individual use. In contrast, long-term chemical fertilization provided a negative yield trend in both the crops with the highest reduction in sole N-fertilized plots ranged from −39 to −42 kg/ha/year. Water-use efficiency ranged from 3.20 to 12.3 kg/ha/mm in soybean–wheat rotation and increased almost 1.74–3.15 times in wheat and 1.30–1.80 times in soybean due to fertilizer application. A similar trend was observed for water-expense efficiency and remain closely associated with fertilization practice. Long-term chemical fertilizers declined the yield potential of the studied crops while their conjoint application with FYM in the winter season considered as an input efficient approach to sustain the overall productivity and profitability of SWCSs.

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.

Surface liming combined with the use of monoammonium phosphate and elemental sulphur in a no‐till wheat–soybean cropping system

AbstractTropical and subtropical soils typically have high acidity and limited nutrient availability. Surface liming under no‐till systems ameliorates topsoil acidity in the short term, but it is generally slow to neutralize subsoil acidity. A field experiment was conducted in the period from 2016 to 2021 in Parana State, Brazil, on a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludox to evaluate the effects of surface application of lime combined with the use of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and elemental S on soil acidity, root growth, plant nutrition and grain yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean (Glycine max. [L.] Merr.) under no‐till. Treatments consisted of a control (no amendments), surface lime (SL), SL + MAP and SL + MAP + elemental S. Applying lime to the soil surface increased soil pH, exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents and base saturation, as well as reducing Al3+ content and Al3+ saturation throughout the soil profile. Such effects were more pronounced in the 0–10 cm layer and occurred to a lesser extent in the 10–100 cm layers. The addition of MAP or MAP + elemental S did not improve the effectiveness of surface liming in alleviating soil acidity throughout the soil profile. The root length per soil surface area to a depth of 100 cm exhibited a strong correlation with wheat yield, but not with soybean yield. Surface liming increased wheat yield by 40% and when lime application was combined with MAP + elemental S, the increase in wheat yield reached 74%. Surface liming resulted in a 36% increase in soybean yield, regardless of the use of MAP and elemental S. Thus, surface application of lime was effective in reducing soil acidity to a 100‐cm depth, regardless of fertilizer application with MAP and MAP + elemental S. The improving effects of surface liming had a more favourable impact on wheat root growth than on soybean root growth, probably because wheat was more affected than soybean by insufficient rainfall during the crop development cycle. Wheat showed a greater yield response to P and S fertilizer application than soybean.

Unveiling Superabsorbent Hydrogels Efficacy Through Modified Agronomic Practices in Soybean–Wheat System Under Semi‐Arid Regions of South Asia

ABSTRACTThe sustainability of global agriculture at higher productivity level is a concern owing to climate change, serious environmental footprints, dipping factor productivity and shrinking availability of natural resources, especially. The situation is worsening in the ‘Food Bowl of India’—Indo‐Gangetic plains (IGP) by several amalgamated factors, such as declining groundwater, unpredictable precipitation owing to climate change and cultivation of heavy water duty crops. To neutralise these issues, a field experiment was executed for the period 2019–2021 to assess the efficacy of indigenous hydrogels (P‐hydrogel and Superabsorbent polymer hydrogel‐1118) and their application methods viz., seed treatment, slurry application and soil application on crop yield and water productivity, soil moisture dynamics and profitability in a soybean–wheat cropping system under irrigation and rainfed conditions. In both study years (2019–2020 and 2020–2021), due to higher seed germination percentage, irrigation application together with seed treatment and slurry application of superabsorbent polymer hydrogel‐1118 improved system productivity by 8.1%–26.7% and system water productivity by 17.6%–33.8% over control. Wheat grain yield was enhanced by 8.0% (2019–2020) to 32.2% (2020–2021) due to superabsorbent polymer hydrogel‐1118 hydrogel with 10 cm lesser use of irrigation water compared with control (no‐hydrogel). Soil moisture content in 0–15 cm soil layer was also found higher by 1.8%–2.4% in superabsorbent polymer hydrogel‐1118 and P‐hydrogel slurry‐applied plots. Therefore, higher gross profitability (31.8%), net profitability (89.8%) and B:C (26.9%) in wheat could be attributed to increased crop yields when seeds were treated with superabsorbent polymer hydrogel‐1118. Therefore, the utilisation of modified hydrogel application, in the form of seed treatment (seed coating) and slurry application has demonstrated improvement in seed germination, crop yield and water productivity and made soybean–wheat cultivation more economical. This approach presents a feasible solution to achieving a viable production system of soybean and wheat crops by reducing irrigation amounts in the IGP of India, as well as other comparable ecological places worldwide.

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