Saini, K SPrabhjit Kaur2022-12-042022-12-042021Prabhjit Kaur (2021). Maximizing rice yield through agronomic interventions and its effect on system productivity, quality and soil health in rice-wheat cropping system (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810190347The present investigation entitled ―Maximizing rice yield through agronomic interventions and its effect on system productivity, quality and soil health in rice-wheat cropping system‖ was carried out for two consecutive years during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at two locations viz. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Research Station, Dyal Bharang, Amritsar. The soil at Ludhiana was Loamy sand and soil of Dyal Bharang was Clayey loam in texture and Low in nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and medium in potassium. The two experiments, were laid in split plot design, with four replications. First experiment consisting of four main plot treatments of rice i.e. dates of transplanting (25th June and 10th July) and crop geometry (25 cm x 15 cm and 15 cm x 15 cm) and four sub plot treatments i.e. age of seedlings (3 week, 4 week, 5 week and 6 week old seedlings). Whereas, in second experiment, In rice, four main plot treatments were (green manuring (GM), farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM) and control (NA)). Four subplot treatments were (control (N0), 50 kg N ha-1 (N50), 75 kg N ha-1 (N75) and 100 kg N ha-1 (N100)). In wheat, residual effect of organic amendments and nitrogen levels applied to preceding rice was evaluated. The results revealed that growth and productivity of short duration rice crop were improved by transplanting younger seedlings (3 and 4 weeks) as compared to the older ones (6 week). Transplanting of rice at 25th June and 10th July with 20x15 cm crop geometry produce better growth, yield attributes and yield as compared to 15x15 cm crop geometry. Rice transplanted on 10th July contributed to lesser water consumption than that of transplanting on 25th June and saved (12.5 percent, 10.5 percent) irrigation water during 2018 and 2019, respectively without any reduction in yield. Application of PM in rice helped to increase grain yield by 65.32% and 61.35% over NA followed by GM and FYM which helped to increase yield 60.93, 56.06 % and 55.26, 53.72 % over NA during 2018 and 2019, respectively. Integration of PM with 100 kg N ha-1 was recorded higher yield, which was at par with 75 kg N ha-1 and significantly better than 50 kg N ha-1 and control. The soil properties like OC, BD, available NPK, nutrient uptake, micronutrient content, infiltration rate improved under PM followed by FYM and GM with increased nitrogen doses. After the end of experiment, total microbial count, DHA, APA and BSR significantly increased with increasing nitrogen doses such as N100 as well as N75 combined with the application of PM followed by GM and FYM at both locations. System productivity and N-use efficiency significantly influence the application of different amendments and nitrogen levels in rice-wheat cropping system. Milling quality, L:B were found significantly higher with PM followed by GM and FYM. N100 recorded better milling quality which was at par with N75. Physical and chemical grain characteristics of wheat were recorded higher in PM which was significantly superior than GM and FYM. Highest REY was recorded with poultry manure being higher than those found in other treatments. The highest energy use efficiency of rice was recorded with green manure as compared to other treatments. In wheat crop, residual effect of poultry manure recorded the highest energy use efficiency. Poultry manure and N100 registered significantly the highest economic parameters and system productivity for both rice and wheat crops compared rest of the organic treatments.EnglishThesis