The impact of diversification of a rice–wheat cropping system on crop productivity and soil fertility

Abstract

SU MMARYField experiments were conducted at the Crop Research Centre of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during 1996/97 and 1997/98. Each experiment comprised 10 crop sequences : (a) wheat-rice, (b) chickpea-rice, (c) lentil-rice, (d) pea-rice, (e) wheat-mungbean green manure-rice, (f ) wheat-Sesbania green manure-rice, (g) wheat-fodder-rice, (h) chickpeafodder-rice, (i) lentil-fodder-rice and ( j) pea-fodder-rice, in a randomized block design with four replications. The crop sequences were compared in terms of economic rice equivalent yield (REY), protein production, apparent nutrient balances and effect on soil fertility status. Amongst crop sequences involving two crops each year (200 % cropping intensity), chickpea-rice gave highest REY and protein production. Of the sequences involving three crops each year (300 % cropping intensity), chickpea-fodder-rice and wheat-fodder-rice were superior to others. The P balances were positive for all sequences, whereas K balances were generally negative except for sequences involving green manure legumes. Green manuring with Sesbania or mungbean helped restore soil fertility, indicating the advantage of green manure for higher productivity and sustainability of rice-wheat system. Chickpearice and chickpea-fodder-rice appeared promising alternatives to rice-wheat crop sequence.

Yields, Soil Health and Farm Profits under a Rice-Wheat System: Long-Term Effect of Fertilizers and Organic Manures Applied Alone and in Combination

“…In an intensive RWS, nutrient removal often exceeds replenishment through fertilizers [12][13][14][15][16]. LTEs continuing under diverse agro-ecologies in India underlined that neither the fertilizers nor the organic sources in isolation can achieve sustainable production.…”

“…The long-term application of organic manures alone in the form of well-rotten and good quality farmyard manure (FYM) has been reported to make nutrients available gradually, in synchrony with plant needs. Besides improving the physico-chemical properties of soil, the application of organic manures can also increase However, the inclusion of legumes, especially forage legumes, as a break crop during the third or fourth cycle can benefit RWS without impairing the food security [14]. Besides providing the green fodder for cattle, there is evidence that a forage legume crop can fix kg N ha −1 in the current season with a carryover effect ranging between 35-60 kg N ha −1 for the succeeding crop [16,24,25].…”

“…Further studies involving IPNS ingredients other than FYM is needed to develop location-specific IPNS recommendations.Agronomy 2019, 9, 1 3 of 22 productivity while maintaining a better energy and environmental balance [23]. Nonetheless, low and variable nutrient contents, scarce availability and problems associated with handling and storage of organic manures are the major constraints in their large-scale usage [19].However, the inclusion of legumes, especially forage legumes, as a break crop during the third or fourth cycle can benefit RWS without impairing the food security [14]. Besides providing the green fodder for cattle, there is evidence that a forage legume crop can fix 35-120 kg N ha −1 in the current season with a carryover effect ranging between 35-60 kg N ha −1 for the succeeding crop [16,24,25].…”

“…However, the inclusion of legumes, especially forage legumes, as a break crop during the third or fourth cycle can benefit RWS without impairing the food security [14]. Besides providing the green fodder for cattle, there is evidence that a forage legume crop can fix 35-120 kg N ha −1 in the current season with a carryover effect ranging between 35-60 kg N ha −1 for the succeeding crop [16,24,25].…”

Sustainable development policies and achievements in the context of the agriculture sector in Thailand

“…Studies carried out in Thailand (Kasem, draft PhD dissertation) and elsewhere (Jitsanguan, 2001; IFAD, 2002; IFAD, 2005; Giovannucci, 2007) have revealed that small farmers could benefit more from the production of vegetables and other produce that made use of organic fertilizers and bio‐pesticides, provided marketing opportunities are available. Regarding crop diversification, its role in efficient use of plant nutrients available in the soil has also been confirmed (Blade and Slinkard, 2002; Singh et al , 2002; Kar et al , 2003). Moreover, it could also contribute to employment generation, especially for the poor people in areas where non‐farming employment opportunities are scarce, and to their food security (Rasul and Thapa, 2003).…”