Effect of Rice Residue Retention and Foliar Application of K on Water Productivity and Profitability of Wheat in North West India

Abstract

The rice–wheat cropping system being the backbone of food security in South-Asia has resulted in soil health deterioration, declining water table, and air pollution affecting livability index of the region. The effect of rice residue retention (RRR), irrigation levels and foliar application of K on wheat grain yield (GY), water use efficiency (WUE) and profitability was tested over three years. RRR increased wheat GY (5224 kg ha−1), above-ground biomass (AGBM = 11.9 t ha−1), tillers per square meter (TPM = 469) and grains per meter square (GrPMS = 13,917) significantly. Relative water content (RWC = 93.8) and WUE (2.45 k gm−3) were also increased significantly by RRR. Consequently, profitability (Net return = 624.4 $ and Benefit to cost (B:C) ratio) was enhanced. Foliar application of K enhanced GY (5151 kg ha−1), AGBM (12 t ha−1), RWC (94.1), SPAD (52.2), WUE (2.40 kg m−3), net returns (625.2 $) and BC ratio (1.62) significantly. RRR increased GY (15.66%) and WUE (17.39%) with additional revenue of 151 $ with only one irrigation at the CRI stage (ICS). RRR adopted over 10% of the area can earn 187 million-US$ annually. RRR if adopted over existing practice on a large area would reduce environmental degradation with an enhanced income to small and marginal farmers.

Nutrient and residue management in zero tilled-direct seeded basmati rice (Oryza sativa)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) system

“…In addition, transplanted rice had maximum RWC of 87.3%. Residue mulching on soil surface decreases the evaporative water losses, maintains soil moisture for longer time, reduces the weed growth and moderates the soil temperature (Meena et al 2020). All these beneficial effects might lead to improved water uptake by crop plants which maintained higher RWC in leaves.…”

Improvement of Soil Health through Residue Management and Conservation Tillage in Rice-Wheat Cropping System of Punjab, Pakistan

“…In an investigation, Ramos et al and Khan et al [8,9] concluded that traditional soil management practices effect the nutrients volume in soil and availability to plant for better production. RWCS in IGP produces around 10 to 12 Mg-ha residues [10,11] which were taken off or burned before sowing of the next crop. Burning or the removal of residues are adversely affecting the soil physio-chemical properties, especially nutrients such as macro and micronutrients [12].…”

Potassium Application Using the 4r Nutrient Stewardship Approach for Improving Wheat Growth and Yield Traits

“…The K is one of the critical nutrient essentials for wheat plants, possessing primary roles in the processes of cell extension and osmoregulation, stomatal movement, protein synthesis, activation of enzymes, phloem loading, photosynthesis, transport, and uptake (Marschner, 1995;Pettigrew, 2008). Meena et al (2020) reported that the WUE of wheat increased significantly with foliar application of K. Alike, Wang et al (2020) documented that a higher net photosynthesis rate appears when applied with a high dose of K.…”