A Decade of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Major Agri-Food Systems: Earthworm Abundance and Soil Physico-Biochemical Properties

Abstract

Earthworms (EWs) could be a viable indicator of soil biology and agri-food system management. The influence of climate-smart agriculture (CSA)-based sustainable intensification practices (zero tillage, crop rotations, crop residue retention, and precision water and nutrients application) on earthworms’ (EWs) populations and soil physico-biochemical properties of rice-wheat cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia was investigated. This study investigates the effect of 10-years adoption of various CSA practices on the abundance of earthworms and physical and biochemical properties of the soil and EWs’ casts (EWC). Five scenarios (Sc) were included: conventionally managed rice-wheat system (farmers’ practices, Sc1), CSA-based rice-wheat-mungbean system with flood irrigation (FI) (Sc2) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) (Sc3), CSA-based maize-wheat-mungbean system with FI (Sc4), and SDI (Sc5). Results revealed that EWs were absent under Sc1, while the 10-year adoption of CSA-based scenarios (mean of Sc2–5) increased EWs’ density and biomass to be 257.7 no. m−2 and 36.05 g m−2, respectively. CSA-based maize scenarios (Sc4 and Sc5) attained higher EWs’ density and biomass over rice-based CSA scenarios (Sc2 and Sc4). Also, SDI-based scenarios (Sc3 and Sc5) recorded higher EWs’ density and biomass over FI (Sc2 and Sc4). Maize-based CSA with SDI recorded the highest EWs’ density and EWs’ biomass. The higher total organic carbon in EWC (1.91%) than in the bulk soil of CSA-based scenarios (0.98%) and farmers’ practices (0.65%) suggests the shift of crop residue to a stable SOC (in EWC). EWC contained significant amounts of C and available NPK under CSA practices, which were nil under Sc1. All CSA-based scenarios attained higher enzymes activities over Sc1. CSA-based scenarios, in particular, maize-based scenarios using SDI, improved EWs’ proliferation, SOC, and nutrients storage (in soil and EWC) and showed a better choice for the IGP farmers with respect to C sequestration, soil quality, and nutrient availability.

Developing an Active Canopy Sensor-Based Integrated Precision Rice Management System for Improving Grain Yield and Quality, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Lodging Resistance

“…To increase rice yield, NUE, and reduce lodging risks simultaneously, integrated precision crop management systems need to be developed [28][29][30][31]. Cao and Yin (2015) developed an integrated rice management system including low sowing rate, increased transplanting density, alternate wetting and drying irrigation, low N fertilizer rate (225 kg N ha −1 ), and high fertilizer application frequency (four splits) [28].…”

Yield assessment of rice-black gram, rice-maize and rice-groundnut sequential cropping system influenced by rice establishment methods and nutrient management practices in the dry tract of the Southern zone of Tamil Nadu, India

“…The residual effect of rice establishment methods influenced the seed and haulm yield because earlier maturity of DSR as compared to TPR fits this well for different cropping systems. DSR is more costeffective and environmentally friendly than the puddled transplanted rice system (Jat et al, 2022). Significantly minimum number of pods plant -1 (11.91), number of seeds pod -1 (4.12), seed yield (417 kg ha -1 ), haulm yield (887 kg ha -1 ), test weight (4.34 g) and harvest index (31.79%) were observed in transplanted method (A 2 ) of establishment due to greater compaction of puddle soil under transplanting method and its carry over effect on succeeding crop (Bastola, 2020).…”

Assessment of the Climate-Smart Agriculture Interventions towards the Avenues of Sustainable Production–Consumption

“…CSA comprises a set of interventions that help farmers to adjust their farming system towards the mitigation of the effects of extreme climatic events whilst also increasing their income and the productivity of their land [17]. It can be seen that through the implementation of CSA practices, the overall content of organic carbon stock, microbial population, and soil enzymes have increased, thereby increasing the soil fertility and enhancing the production of cereal systems [18]. Imran et al [14] explored the various adopters of CSA practices allied with the cotton crop in the region of Pakistan.…”

“…Jarial [24] assessed the various challenges allied with the deployment of the Internet of Things for the grounding of CSA-based practices. Jat et al [18] assessed the various perspectives on the bundling of the CSA and sustainability in the region of the Indo-Gangetic region, which is majorly engaged in the production of rice and wheat.…”