Sustainable cropping systems intensification for resource use efficient farming under conservation agriculture
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Date
2022
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Sustainable cropping systems intensification for resource use efficient
farming under conservation agriculture” was carried out at new area agronomy research farm, PAU,
Ludhiana. The experiment was established during rabi 2018-19 but the actual treatments were imposed in
kharif season 2019 considering rabi and summer season both two crops used as a zero cycle ensuring
tillage, crop establishment, residue management, nitrogen and irrigation management effects are captured
in first experimental rice crop. Six management scenarios involving different cropping systems were
evaluated in large plot size (189m2; 18m x 10.5m) in a randomized complete block design with four
replications. All the other standard management practices were used irrespective of the management
scenarios. System productivity (REY/MEY/SEY) was increased by 9.72, 9.74 and 14.26% during first
year and 10.68, 14.33 and 15.17% during second year in R-W-SM(R+)-Sc2, M-W-SM (R+)-Sc4 and SW-SM
(R+)-Sc6 (CA based scenarios), respectively compared to R-W-SM(R0)-Sc1, M-W-SM (R0)-Sc3
and S-W-SM (R0)-Sc5 (CT based scenarios). Scenario S-W-SM (R+)-Sc6 saved 76.9 % (during first year)
and 77.7% (during second year) more irigation water compared to R-W-SM(R0)-Sc1 (1950 and 2250 mm
ha-1 in first and second years, respectively). Scenario S-W-SM (R+)-Sc6 saved 4.33 times and 4.49 times
more irrigation water compared to R-W-SM(R0)-Sc1 (1950 and 2250 mm ha-1 in first and second years,
respectively) during both the years. Both scenario M-W-SM (R+)-Sc4 and S-W-SM (R+)-Sc6 recorded
4.30 and 4.64 times higher system IWP during the first year and 3.77 and 4.05 times higher IWP during the
second year compared to R-W-SM(R0)-Sc1 . The higher cost of cultivation was observed in R-W-Sm
(R0)-Sc1, M-W-Sm (R0)-Sc3 and S-W-Sm (R0)-Sc5 with conventional till, whereas lowered cost of
cultivation and higher net return were recorded in CA based scenarios(R-W-SM(R+)-Sc2, M-W-SM
(R+)-Sc4 and S-W-SM (R+)-Sc6) as compared to conventional practices and saved more irrigation water
depth and increases irrigation water productivity as compared to conventional practices. Similarly, SOC
was significantly increases by 30, 27.5, 25 per cent at 0-7.5 cm depth under, Sc6, Sc4 and Sc2 (CA based
scenarios) than Sc1 in second year. But SOC remain unchanged at 7.5-15 cm depth compared to Sc1. The
maximum available N, P and K was recorded in S-W-SM (R+)-Sc6(259.9, 30.50 and 230.1 kg/ha)
followed by M-W-SM (R+)-Sc4 and R-W-SM(R+)-Sc2 (250.2, 28.4 and 221.4), whereas, minimum
available N, P and K were recorded in R-W-SM(R0)-Sc1(199.8, 23.30 and 215.4 kg/ha) at 0-7.5 cm
depth. Maximum bulk density (BD) was recorded in no-residue treatments, while the minimum BD and
higher infiltration were recorded in CA based scenarios (R-W-SM(R+)-Sc2, M-W-SM (R+)-Sc4 and SW-SM
(R+)-Sc6) where residues were retained on the soil surface. The soil microbial properties i.e.
DHA, APA, total microbial count and soil respiration rate were recorded highest in scenario S-W-SM
(R+)-Sc6) followed by M-W-SM (R+)-Sc4 and R-W-SM(R+)-Sc2 and lowest in scenario R-W-SM(R0)Sc1.
Significantly the rice grains quality i.e brown, milled and head rice recovery were obtained higher in
scenario Sc2. The maize grains quality i.e total sugar, starch, oil & protein content and moisture percent
were higher in scenario Sc4 as compared to Sc3. The grain appearance score(max 10), hectolitre weight
(kg/hl) and grain hardness (kg)) were recorded higher in scenario Sc6 which was at par with scenario Sc4
and lowest was obtained in scenario Sc1 (5.1 score, 71.1 kg/hl and 9.2 kg in first and 5.4 score, 72.3
kg/hl and 9.5 kg in second years, respectively). Rather than applying improved management practises in
isolation, different improved management practises provides opportunities to address crop adaptability,
productivity, and profitability in rice-wheat-summermoong, maize-wheat-summermoong and soybeanwheat-summermoong
cropping systems under emerging climate impacts while enhancing natural resources
(water, energy, and soil) and decrease environmental footprints.
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Citation
Arun Kumar (2022). Sustainable cropping systems intensification for resource use efficient farming under conservation agriculture (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.