2 research outputs found
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No full textNot AvailableExcessive disturbance of the top soil through intensive tillage operations and removal of residues in
conventional tillage systems result in breakdown of soil structure, accelerated oxidation, consequent
loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) content and release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In
conservation tillage system, crop residues are retained and tillage operations are kept at minimum,
which stimulates sequestration of SOC and improvement in soil health. This study was conducted to
evaluate the long-term impact of conservation tillage on SOC concentration, physical health and
productivity of soybean-wheat system after nine crop cycles. Treatments consisted of four tillage systems
viz., conventional tillage (CT), mouldboard tillage (MB), reduced tillage (RT) and no tillage (NT) as the
main plot, and three nitrogen (N) levels viz., 50% (N50%), 100% (N100%) and 150% (N150%) of the
recommended rate as sub-plot. Results showed that the SOC content up to 15 cm soil depth were
significantly higher in NT, RT and MB where wheat residues were left after harvest, than that in CT
system. The SOC in MB were significantly higher than CT in 15-30 cm soil layer. Soil water retention
at 4 cm and at air entry potential (50 cm suction) was significantly higher in NT, MB and RT treatments
than in CT. Soil physical properties viz., infiltration rate, bulk density, mean weight diameter and water
stable aggregation also improved under NT and RT. The SOC and aggregate stability were higher in
N150% as compared to N50%. Soil water retention did not vary among the N levels. However, yields of
both the crops were similar under the tillage systems.Not AvailableNot Availabl
