Kinetics of Rice Straw Decomposition under Different Tillage and Crop Establishment Practices in Indo-Gangetic Plain

Abstract

Knowledge of the mechanism of rice straw decomposition is essential to adopt suitable management practices which improve soil fertility and enhance carbon sequestration in agricultural systems. However, forecasting rice straw decomposition is difficult due to interactions between many factors associated with straw properties, soil properties and climate conditions. Results show the remaining amount of rice straw after the 3 weeks of decomposition recorded lowest under zero tillage direct seeded rice - wheat anchored residue of rice and wheat with mungbean residue retention (12.66 g), followed by zero tillage direct seeded rice - wheat anchored residue of rice and wheat (12.71 g) which was significantly inferior by the treatments plots in conventional tillage (rice-wheat without and with residue). Nitrogen mineralization of rice straw was significantly observed from starting of an experiment to the end of 15 weeks under different tillage and crop establishment methods, after that it was not significantly observed. Phosphorus content in rice straw during its decomposition was non-significantly affected up to 6 weeks than after significantly affected end of 12 weeks. Potassium content in rice straw during the decomposition, was significantly affected at the end of 12 weeks time intervals under different tillage and crop establishment methods after that the result was is was non-significantly observed.