Studies on green house gas emissions and carbon sequestration under conservation agriculture in maize based cropping systems
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Date
2014
Authors
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Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
The experiment was carried out at the Research Farm, Directorate of Maize Research Pusa New
Delhi for two consecutive kharif seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14. The field was laid out in a split plot
design with three replications. Six conservation tillage practices viz. PB-WR, PB-WOR, ZT-WR, ZTWOR,
CT-WR and CT-WOR were taken in the main plots and two cropping system viz. maize-wheat and
maize-chickpea in subplots.
All growth parameters viz. Plant height, dry matter accumulation, LAI, CGR, RGR and NAR were
significantly affected by conservation tillage practices. The growth parameters of maize did not influenced
due to cropping system. Yield attributes of maize such as cobs/m2 and grains/cob were significantly
influenced by conservation tillage practices. Similarly, yield attributes of wheat and chickpea were also
significantly influenced. ZT-WR registered 22.4, 20.0 and 18.5 %; 24.3, 12.8 and 14.4% increase in grain,
stover and biological yields during 2012 and 2013, respectively. The highest system productivity was
realized under ZT-WR (9.97 and 11.13 t/ha) followed by PB-WR (9.65 and 10.65 t/ha) during 2012-13 and
2013-14, respectively. Cropping system did not have a significant effect on growth, yield and soil
properties. The maximum gross (132.39 x 103 and 165.14 x 103 /ha) and net returns (87.19 x 103 and
117.03 x 103 /ha) were recorded under ZT-WR practice while, maximum B:C ratio was recorded under
ZT-WOR (1.98 and 2.53) during both the years.
The maximum C input was estimated under CT-WR whereas maximum C-output and CSI were
under ZT-WR. Physical properties like BD, hydraulic conductivity, soil aggregation and infiltration rate
were optimum under ZT-WR. Minimum GHGs (CO2 and N2O) emission from soil was recorded in maize
followed by chickpea and wheat. Significant highest total CO2 emission in maize- wheat/chickpea cropping
system was estimated under CT-WR and minimum under ZT-WOR. Whereas, maximum N2O-N emission
was under CT-WOR and minimum under PB-WR.
Description
Keywords
tillage, crops, wheats, yields, irrigation, conservation tillage, grain, maize, planting, productivity