Crop Residue and Potassium Management on Crop and Soil Properties of Maize and Wheat in No-tillage Systems

ABSTRACT

Agroecosystem functioning is dependent on practices that improves not only crop productivity but also soil quality. Therefore, identification of appropriate agricultural management strategies is a viable option. The objective of the current study was to assess the changes in pertinent soil quality indicators and their influence on crop productivity through crop residue (CR) retention and potassium (K) management under zero tillage maize-wheat cropping system. The experiment was initiated during 2013 and consisted of four CR levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha⁻¹) and five K levels (0, 50%, 100%, 150% RDK [recommended dose of K] and 50%RDK+Potassium solubilizing bacteria, KSB). Crop residue and K management significantly increased root-associated parameters with the application of 6–4 Mg ha⁻¹CR, 50%RDK+KSB. Changes in soil aggregate stability, available nutrient status, soil organic carbon (SOC)mass, SOCstock, microbial activities, plant nutrient uptake, and biomass yield were found significant with 6–4 Mg ha⁻¹ CR and 50% RDK+KSB. This is inconsonance with correlation study carried out. Therefore, it was concluded that the crop residue retention (6 and 4 Mg ha⁻¹) and reduction of inorganic K fertilizer by 50% and seed inoculation with KSB improved soil quality indicators, root parameters, and productivity of maize-wheat under zero tillage agricultural practices.

KEYWORDS:

• Conservation agriculture
• carbon sequestration
• microbial activities
• potassium solubilizing bacteria
• physical properties
• soil nutrient supplying capacity
• total nutrient uptake
• yield

Acknowledgments

Our sincere thanks are due to Head and Professor, Division of Agronomy, Head, Division of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India and also UGC, Govt. of India for their advice and support.