Dynamics of soil health in a rice-berseem system as influenced by organic nutrient management
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Date
2021-12
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu
Abstract
The need for sustainable, eco-friendly and safe agriculture has given boost to the concept of organic farming. Organic farming employs various nutrient sources in which manures play an important role. These manure may also have varying impact on soil as well as crops to which they are applied. A study was carried out to evaluate the impact of different organic manures, such as FYM, vermicompost (VC), poultry manure (PM), and neem cake (NC) on soil characteristics and productivity of rice-berseem system on a sandy clay loam. There were no significant difference among the various treatments with respect to pH, EC and water holding capacity. Fluctuations in pH and EC were observed before and after rice harvest, with values being higher after berseem harvest. Soil available N, K, Zn and Fe were significantly increased by manure application. However available P was significantly higher over control only where PM was applied in combination with FYM and VC. Bulk density (BD), porosity and infiltration rate (IR) were improved by application of manures, although no significant differences among manures were observed. Application of manures decreased BD and increased IR. Dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, microbial biomass carbon and available nitrogen increased upon application of manures. These soil biological properties increased after harvest of berseem in comparison to the values obtained after harvest of rice, indicating beneficial impact of having a legume in the rotation. As expected, all soil carbon pools (permanganate oxidizable carbon, organic carbon and total organic carbon) increase after application of manures with the exception of particulate organic carbon. As high as 0.68% of organic carbon was observed on FYM + PM application in comparison to a low of 0.49% in control, where no manure was applied. Very labile C, less labile C and non-labile carbon were significantly affected by manure treatments over control. Interesting results were obtained with respect to carbon management index (CMI). CMI varied significantly among treatments after rice harvest but was non-significant after berseem harvest. Berseem being a legume could have affected the ratios of soil carbon pools resulting in a uniform CMI. CMI ranged between 149.12 and 158.81 at the end of the study. Significantly higher C sequestration was observed in FYM+PM treatment over control. N, K, Zn and Fe content in grains and K content of straw was significantly higher in manure treated plots. As far as grain quality is concerned, amylose content was highest in FYM+VC (27.69%) and was significant over other treatments except for FYM+PM (26.25). Protein content of grain was also significantly higher in manure treated plots with a high of 8.34% in VC+NC combination. Plant height also followed similar trend. Panicle length, number of tiller and test weight were not affected by manure application. Manure application significantly increased grain and straw yield with a highest of 28.78% and 56.42%, respectively in FYM+NC. Overall, the manure application improved soil health. Soil properties varied from harvest to harvest, with inclusion of berseem in the rotation promoting soil health. However, the role of individual manures remained complex, behaving differently for different properties wherever results were significant among manures. This is due to varying physical and chemical characteristics of manures themselves. It was also noted that a combination of manures was a better option than to go for lone application.
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