IMPROVEMENT IN SOIL HEALTH AND SYSTEM PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH CROP DIVERSIFICATION UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITIONS IN TRANS-GANGETIC PLAINS OF INDIA

Kartik Sharma; S S Walia; Rakshit Bhagat; Venkatesh Paramesha; Jayanta Layek; Gurshaminder  Singh

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i9.174486

Authors

Kartik Sharma Scientist ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi
S S Walia Punjab Agricultural University
Rakshit Bhagat Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Venkatesh Paramesha Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Jayanta Layek Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Gurshaminder Singh Punjab Agricultural University

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i9.174486

Keywords:

Cropping sequence, diversification, soil health indicators, system productivity , trans Gangetic plains

Abstract

Crop diversification enhances multiple soil functions, thereby contributing to improved ecosystem services, yet the effects of legume-based systems on productivity, soil microbes, and plant-soil-microbe interactions are not fully elucidated. To address this challenge, a three-year field study (2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22) was carried out at the research farm of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, India, under randomised block design (RBD) with six cropping systems viz., CS1-basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.); CS2- maize (Zea mays L.)-gobhi sarson (Brassica napus L.)-summer mung (Vigna radiata L.); CS3- bajra (Pennisetum glaucum L.)-maize + cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)-berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) + rye grass (Lolium multiflorum L.); CS4- maize + cowpea-maize + cowpea-rye grass; CS5- napier bajra hybrid (Pennisetum purpureum × P. glaucum)-oats (Avena sativa L.) and CS6- bajra-maize + cowpea-maize + cowpea-oats replicated thrice. Results showed that all legume-based rotations (CS2, CS3, and CS4) substantially improved overall soil health. Furthermore, correlation and PCA analyses revealed strong positive linkages among soil properties (r > 0.90), with PC1 accounting for 95% of the total variance. The analyses identified cropping systems CS2, CS3, and CS4 as being most strongly associated with improved soil health. The CS3 system recorded the highest basmati rice equivalent yield of 213.5 q/ha, 2.31 times greater than CS1 (92.3 q/ha). Therefore, the legume-integrated fodder-based system CS3 is recommended for adoption to improve system productivity and soil health in trans trans-Gangetic plains of India

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Author Biography

Kartik Sharma, Scientist ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi

Scientist

Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi

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