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Phosphorous deficiency limits productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) systems in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains. Deterioration of soil and air quality due to straw burning is also a concern. Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of straw and P management strategies on yield, P balance, and P transformations in soil in a rice–wheat system. Four treatments composed of different combinations of rice and wheat straw removal, burning, and incorporation were the main plots. Subplot treatments were P fertilization to wheat or to both rice and wheat and a no‐P control. Wheat yield was similar where straw was burned in situ or removed. Incorporation of straw increased the wheat yield in Year 4. Significant straw × P management interactions, observed after 4 yr, suggested that residues can enhance yield under limited P supply situations. Application of 26 kg P ha−1 to wheat increased grain yield by 6 to 15% compared with no P. Rice yield did not respond to incorporation of residues or P fertilization. The P balance was negative with removal or burning of rice straw, but when both wheat and rice straw were incorporated, the balance was positive at the recommended P level (26 kg P ha−1 to wheat only). Changes in total soil P suggested that the two crops remove significant P from below 15 cm. Incorporation of residues increased soil Olsen, inorganic, and organic P; reduced P sorption; and increased P release. Data show that continuous incorporation of residues substituted for 13 kg inorganic P ha−1 yr−1 and improved system yield.

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Abstract. The effects of rice‐straw management (incorporation, burning or removal) on soil organic carbon content and physical and hydraulic properties were determined after five years of rice–wheat cropping in a sandy loam soil in northwest India. Soil organic carbon content was greater with straw incorporation and straw burning than with straw removal, and aggregation status, total porosity, pore‐size distribution, bulk density, dispersion ratio and soil strength were correspondingly improved. The treatment effects were confined mainly to the 0–5 cm depth. Water retention was less with straw burning than straw removal, owing to increased water repellency of the soil surfaces. Cumulative infiltration and its rate after five hours were greater with straw incorporation than straw burning or removal. Air entry values were unaffected by straw management; however, the values were greater after rice harvest than after wheat harvest.