Performance of Zero-till Bio-mulching on Different Pulses under Maize-legume Sequence

Author(s):  
J. K. Dey ◽  
B. K. Saren ◽  
B. Duary ◽  
K. Pramanik

Background: After harvesting of kharif crops, lack of sufficient soil moisture availability limit the cultivation of rabi crops in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. So a huge area remains fallow during the rabi season mainly because of infrastructure to harvest and to utilize the bountiful rains of the monsoon. So, agronomic measures to conserve the soil moisture are very suitable for the region because of their low cost and capability to reduce soil erosion. In this region, maize stalk are not used as fodder for animals and are usually burnt or kept outside the field. Similarly, during rainy season, there is plenty of water hyacinth and paddy straw found around cultivated areas. Retention of crop residues and weed biomass on the soil surface in combination with zero tillage initiates process that lead to improve soil quality and overall enhancement of resource use efficiency. Methods: The trials were conducted for consecutive two years (2017-18 and 2018-19) in split plot design with three main plot treatments as cropping system after Maize, viz, i) Maize-chickpea (CS1) ii) Maize-lentil (CS2) iii) Maize-lathyrus (CS3); with five sub-plot treatments as mulching i) No-mulching (Residue Removal) (M0) ii) In-situ Maize stalk mulching (M1) iii) In-situ maize stalk mulch + Water hyacinth (5 t/ha) (M2) iv) In-situ maize stalk mulch + Paddy straw (5 t/ha) (M3) v) In-situ maize stalk mulch + Water hyacinth (2.5 t/ha) + Paddy straw (2.5 t/ha) (M4) but the individual rabi crop’s data were analyzed in Randomized Block Design (RBD) as the individual crops have different growth characteristics. Result: Experiments result revealed that mulching with M3- In-situ maize stalk mulch + Paddy straw (5 t/ha) is the best practice for growing pulses under zero-till condition after Maize in Maize-legume cropping system. Growing of pulses in different cropping system under zero-till condition not only will increase the cropping intensity and production of pulses in the country but also will increase the fertility of the soil.

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Sukanta Kumar Sarangi ◽  
Buddheswar Maji ◽  
Parbodh Chander Sharma ◽  
Saheb Digar ◽  
Kshirendra Kumar Mahanta ◽  
...  

Rice is the predominant crop during wet season (July–December) and majority of land remain fallow during dry season (January–June) in the coastal saline region of West Bengal, India. Sustainable cropping system intensification in this salt affected region needs improved package of practices which conserve soil moisture, facilitate early crop establishment, ensures profitability and has positive effect on soil health. To achieve these objectives in a rice-based cropping system, we evaluated seven treatments for potato crop during the dry season viz. T1: ridge sowing (control), T2: Zero tillage (ZT) sowing with 9 t ha−1 paddy straw mulching (PSM), T3: T2 + foliar spray of nutrients, T4: ZT sowing with 12 t ha−1 PSM, T5: T4 + foliar spray of nutrients, T6: ZT sowing with 15 t ha−1 PSM, T7: T6 + foliar spray of nutrients in randomized block design with five replications. This study was conducted during 2016-2019 in the Gosaba island of the Indian Sundarbans. Cost of cultivation of potato reduced by about 27% due to ZT sowing (₹ 81,287 ha−1) compared to ridge sowing (₹ 1,11,260 ha−1). Tuber yield, net return and irrigation water productivity was significantly increased in T5, T6 and T7 over other treatments. There was reduction in soil salinity (ECe reduced from 5 to 3 dS m−1), bulk density (from 1.49 to 1.44 Mg m−3), irrigation water use (less 20 cm), conservation of soil moisture (4–8%), and increase in organic carbon (0.39 to 0.44%) due to ZT sowing with PSM. Rice-ZT potato-green gram cropping system was the most profitable one with highest net return (₹ 1,71,752 ha−1), however, the benefit-cost ratio was highest (2.33) with Rice-ZT potato cropping system.


Genetika ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Branka Kresovic ◽  
Vesna Dragicevic ◽  
Bosko Gajic ◽  
Angelina Tapanarova ◽  
Borivoj Pejic

The aim of the present study was to observe the response of maize hybrids under rainfed and irrigation conditions of the soil in order to establish the dependence of yielding potential on the water amounts reaching the soil surface during the growing season. The four-replicate trail was set up according to the randomised complete-block design on chernozem. Pre-watering soil moisture was approximately 70% of field water capacity, and soil moisture was established thermogravimetrically. During the five-year studies, the following differences in yields could be as follows: 12.68 t ha-1 (ZP 341); 12.76 t ha-1 (ZP 434); 13.17 t ha-1 (ZP 578); 14.03 t ha-1 (ZP 684) and 13.75 t ha-1 (ZP 704) under conditions of 440 mm, 440 mm, 424 mm, 457 mm and 466 mm of water, respectively. The hybrid ZP 341, i.e. ZP 578 expressed the highest, i.e. the lowest tolerance in dry relative seasons, respectively. The reduction of the water amount for every 10 mm decreased the yield by 119.4 kg ha-1 (ZP 341), 156.7 kg ha-1 (ZP 434), 172.3 kg ha-1 (ZP 578), 148.9 kg ha-1 (ZP 684) and 151.1 kg ha-1 (ZP 704).


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 417
Author(s):  
Larissa Brandao Portela ◽  
Anagila Janenis Cardoso Silva ◽  
Gustavo André de Araújo Santos ◽  
Joab Luhan Ferreira Pedrosa ◽  
Conceição De Maria Batista de Oliveira ◽  
...  

The research compared biomass production and nutrient release in an alley cropping system in two collection methods, the litterbag method and the direct collection method (Morley, Bennett, & Clark, 1964). The system was implemented in 2015 at 2017, at the Maranhão Federal University, Maranhão, Brazil. The experiment was a randomized block design with four treatments, consisting of leucaena+sombreiro (Leucaena leucocephala and Clitoria fairchildiana), leucena+acacia (Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia mangium), gliricidia+sombreiro (Gliricidia sepium and Clitoria fairchildiana) and gliricidia+acacia (Gliricidia sepium and Acacia mangium). In order to determine the remaining dry matter, nutrient release (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn), the decomposition constants and the half-lives times of plant residues, 100 g of fresh material were conditioned in litterbags (50 g of each species), arranged on the soil surface. The second method was done by randomly throwing a collector on each plot in the same dimensions of the litterbags (0.40 x 0.40 m) and collecting the litter. For the two methods samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after the start of the experiment. The litterbags method showed a higher C/N ratio at day 30 up to 120 days, which implies that this method is providing a different environment from the litter, where it would be overestimating the C/N ratio and retarding the decomposition. The G+S and G+A combinations were more rapidly decomposed than the combinations of L+S and L+A. The following order of release was established for the litterbags method: P > N > K > Ca > Mn > Mg, and for the method of collecting the litter: N > P > Ca > Mg > K > Mn.


Anales AFA ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 90-100
Author(s):  
E. N. Gomes ◽  
J. Arellana ◽  
M. Franco ◽  
F. Grings ◽  
E. More

In this work we present an innovative and low-cost way to estimate the dielectric constant of real soils -which is relatedto soil moisture- using GPS satellite signal. The trajectory of the satellites was followed with an automated device, andwith an antenna type patch was measured the interference pattern generated by the direct GPS signal and that reflectedby the ground. To analyze the acquired signal, an electromagnetic dispersion model based on the method of smallperturbation was used, which may include stratifications in the underground and from which the dielectric constant thatbest fits the measurements was obtained. These values were compared with the obteined using a sensor that measures thesoil dielectric constant textit in-situ. The comparisons shows that the method based on the interference pattern providessatisfactory results to estimate the dielectric constant of real bare soils. Finally, proposals are outlined to improve theresults obtained in this work.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-253
Author(s):  
M. PANGING ◽  
P. NEOG ◽  
R. L. DEKA ◽  
K. MEDHI

A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2017-18 in Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to identify appropriate adaptive strategies for combating ill effect of heat and moisture stress through modifying microclimate in rice-potato double cropping system. The potato variety – Kufri Jyoti was planted in split plot design with 3 dates starting from 10 November at 10 days interval (main plots) and three mulching treatments with water hyacinth, black polythene and without mulching (sub-plots) following recommended agronomic practices. The study revealed that there were 11.8 and 7.0 per cent increase in average soil moisture content under water hyacinth and black polythene, respectively as compared to non-mulched treatment. On the other hand, soil temperature was 0.5 to 1.5 °C (morning) and 1.1 to 2.3°C (evening) lower under water hyacinth, but 1.2 to 2.1°C (morning) and 1.7 to 2.6 (evening) higher underblack polythene as compared to non-mulched crop. In all planting dates, crop growth parameters like LAI and biomass production were observed to be highest under water hyacinth, followed by black polythene and without mulching. Among the mulching treatment the highest and lowest tuber yield was recorded under water hyacinth (120.81 q ha-1) and non-mulched treatment (85.0 q ha-1), respectively in all planting dates.It was found that the tuber yield was significantly and positively correlated (at 5% level) with theaverage soil moisture retention (mm) in upper 30 cm layer of soil during tuber formation to physiological maturity (r =77*). Increase in tuber yield (up to 42.2%) under water hyacintheven in case of late plantings (beyond 10 November) was probably due to increase insoil moisture retention (8.1 to 15.7 %) and reduction of soil temperature (1 to 1.8°C) under water hyacinthwhich endowed with favorablehydrothermal environment as compared to that under black polythene and non mulched treatment. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radomir Obroślak ◽  
Oleksandr Dorozhynskyy

AbstractThe paper presents a selection of a semivariogram model in the study of spatial variability of soil moisture in a loess agricultural catchment. Soil moisture tests were carried out in the Moszenki village, 15 km northwest of Lublin. Soil moisture measurements were performed at two dates at 104 points, located on a rectangular surface measuring 700 × 1200 m. These points were laid out in the corners of a grid of squares with sides 100 m. In addition, 6 measurements were made at a distance of less than 100 m from the nearest points. Soil moisture was measured in the soil surface (0–5 cm). ArcGis software with Geostatistical Analyst extension was used for modelling semivariograms. In both terms, five models of semivariograms were used: stable, circular, spherical, exponential and Gaussian. Kriging was used for the estimation of soil moisture values. Among the semivariogram models analyzed in this study, the largest errors in the determined values of soil moisture relative to the empirical data were observed for the exponential model, and the smallest for the Gaussian model. However, it should be emphasized that the values of the analysed errors for the individual semivariogram models were similar. Application of the ordinary kriging method for interpolation of spatial distribution of soil moisture yields good results, but it has to be kept in mind that the final shape of the spatial distribution is influenced by the choice of the semivariance function model.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Chew ◽  
Eric Small

Currently, the ability to use remotely sensed soil moisture to investigate linkages between the water and energy cycles and for use in data assimilation studies is limited to passive microwave data whose temporal revisit time is 2–3 days or active microwave products with a much longer (>10 days) revisit time. This paper describes a dataset that provides soil moisture retrievals, which are gridded to 36 km, for the upper 5 cm of the soil surface at sparsely sampled 6-hour intervals for +/− 38 degrees latitude for 2017–present. Retrievals are derived from the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation, which uses GNSS-Reflectometry to obtain L-band reflectivity observations over the Earth’s surface. The product was developed by calibrating CYGNSS reflectivity observations to soil moisture retrievals from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission. Retrievals were validated against observations from 171 in-situ soil moisture probes, with a median unbiased root-mean-square error (ubRMSE) of 0.049 cm3 cm−3 (standard deviation = 0.026 cm3 cm−3) and median correlation coefficient of 0.4 (standard deviation = 0.27). For the same stations, the median ubRMSE between SMAP and in-situ observations was 0.045 cm3 cm−3 (standard deviation = 0.025 cm3 cm−3) and median correlation coefficient was 0.69 (standard deviation = 0.27). The UCAR/CU Soil Moisture Product is thus complementary to SMAP, albeit with a larger random noise component, providing soil moisture retrievals for applications that require faster revisit times than passive microwave remote sensing currently provides.


Author(s):  
W Naba ◽  
A Moges ◽  
A Gebremichael

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different in-situ water harvesting structures as soil moisture conservation techniques under maize crop production in Abela Sippa kebele Wolaita zone, Ethiopia where rainfall variation is affecting agriculture with prolonged dry spells during critical crop growth stages. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, with three replications and four treatments. The four treatments used in the study were; Control, Targa, Tie-ridge and Zai pits. Findings from this study revealed that maize grain yield and yield components, such as, grain yield, dry matter biomass, and cob length were highly significant (p<0.05) on Targa. Soil-moisture content over the crop growing season at dry spell periods was significantly higher in Targa and Tie ridges than the control. Maize yield of (7150 kg ha-1), (6190 kg ha-1), (4500 kg ha-1) and (4900 kg ha-1) was obtained from Targa, Tie ridge, Zai pits and Control, respectively. Targa and Tie ridge treatments recorded higher net returns (29712 and 25164 kg ha-1) than Control (20370 kg ha-1) and Zai (14350 kg ha-1) treatments. The results revealed that the in-situ rainwater harvesting techniques could play great role in improving crop yield in dry periods. However, the utilization of the technology is surrounded by various constraints. The major constraints include labour, cost, lack of knowledge and crops planted on bunds. The findings suggest that Targa structure improved water availability during the growing season, thereby protecting crops from dry periods and it needs minimum cost, less labor power ,and easily constructed by local farmers (not require complicated knowledge). Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(1): 71-79, June 2020


Soil Research ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhupinderpal-Singh ◽  
M. J. Hedley ◽  
S. Saggar

Information on the dynamics of recently photo-assimilated carbon (C) allocated to roots and root-derived exudates in soils is scarce and experimentally difficult to obtain. We used Rhizon Soil Moisture SamplersTM (RSMS) placed at different depths in soil (20, 40, 80, 120 mm) to monitor short-term dynamics of root and root-derived C at the root–soil interface after 14CO2 pulse-labelling of pasture cores. At the 20 mm depth, 14C activity in soil solution peaked within 2 h of 14CO2 application. The peak of 14C activity took longer to appear and slower to disappear with increased depth. Negligible amounts of 14C as soluble exudates were found in the soil solution. The pattern of initial 14C activity in soil solution, allocation of recently assimilated 14C in roots, and root mass distribution with depth were closely related to each other. This suggested that the rapid appearance of 14CO2 in soil solution is more closely linked to root respiration of recent 14C-assimilates (transferred via shoots to roots) and/or to microbial decomposition of root-released 14C-assimilates than to transfer by diffusion of atmospheric 14CO2 through open soil surface to different depths in soil. The use of RSMS was an effective, simple, and non-destructive method to monitor the dynamics of root-derived 14C by in situ sampling of soil solution.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 4191-4208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Enenkel ◽  
Christoph Reimer ◽  
Wouter Dorigo ◽  
Wolfgang Wagner ◽  
Isabella Pfeil ◽  
...  

Abstract. The soil moisture dataset that is generated via the Climate Change Initiative (CCI) of the European Space Agency (ESA) (ESA CCI SM) is a popular research product. It is composed of observations from 10 different satellites and aims to exploit the individual strengths of active (radar) and passive (radiometer) sensors, thereby providing surface soil moisture estimates at a spatial resolution of 0.25°. However, the annual updating cycle limits the use of the ESA CCI SM dataset for operational applications. Therefore, this study proposes an adaptation of the ESA CCI product for daily global updates via satellite-derived near-real-time (NRT) soil moisture observations. In order to extend the ESA CCI SM dataset from 1978 to present we use NRT observations from the Advanced Scatterometer on-board the two MetOp satellites and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 on-board GCOM-W. Since these NRT observations do not incorporate the latest algorithmic updates, parameter databases and intercalibration efforts, by nature they offer a lower quality than reprocessed offline datasets. In addition to adaptations of the ESA CCI SM processing chain for NRT datasets, the quality of the NRT datasets is a main source of uncertainty. Our findings indicate that, despite issues in arid regions, the new CCI NRT dataset shows a good correlation with ESA CCI SM. The average global correlation coefficient between CCI NRT and ESA CCI SM (Pearson's R) is 0.80. An initial validation with 40 in situ observations in France, Spain, Senegal and Kenya yields an average R of 0.58 and 0.49 for ESA CCI SM and CCI NRT, respectively. In summary, the CCI NRT product is nearly as accurate as the existing ESA CCI SM product and, therefore, of significant value for operational applications such as drought and flood forecasting, agricultural index insurance or weather forecasting.


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