Assessing soil quality and their indicators for long-term rice-based cropping systems in hot sub-humid eco-region of India

Abstract

Context Rice-based cropping system is a key for food security in the Indian subcontinent. However, the productivity of such systems has declined continuously due to deterioration in soil quality. The present study was carried out to identify key soil quality indicators and to develop indices of soil quality under long-term rice-based cropping systems in the hot sub-humid eco-region (HSE) of India. Methods Surface soil samples were collected from farmers’ field from two soil orders (Vertisols and Inceptisols) and with four long-term rice-based cropping systems: (1) rice-wheat (RW); (2) rice-chickpea (RC); (3) rice-lathyrus (RL); and (4) rice-fallow (RF). A minimum data set (MDS) of 24 soils attributes were screened to identify soil quality indicators using principal components analysis (PCA), and soil quality index (SQI) was determined. Key results The MDS indicators (in descending order of sensitivity) are field capacity (FC) (35.4%) followed by pH (30.5%) > porosity (13.6%) > potentially mineralisable carbon (PMC) (11.8%) > available boron (AB) (8.7%). Soil moisture content under FC was found as the most sensitive indicator affecting soil quality and rice equivalent yields (REY). The SQI of Vertisols (0.83) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than Inceptisols (0.73). SQI under RC (0.86) cropping systems was significantly higher than RL (0.81), RW (0.76) and RF (0.78) (P < 0.05). Conclusions The inclusion of legumes (chickpea and lathyrus) into cropping systems sustained better soil quality and productivity. Implications SQI is not only useful for assessing soil health but also provides indicators of best-bet management practices for sustaining intensive cultivation.

Indicators of soil quality and crop productivity assessment at a long‐term experiment site in the lowerIndo‐Gangeticplains

“…Contrarily, physical soil attributes such as moisture content at field capacity had (35.4%) maximum influence on soil health and rice equivalent yield in four long‐term rice‐based cropping systems of hot subhumid ecoregion of central India. Additionally study brought out legume adoption caused a higher improvement of SQI in Vertisol (0.83) than Inceptisol (0.73) (Kumar et al, 2022). A split plot experiment conducted on lower Indo‐Gangetic Alluvial soil with varying residue retention and crop diversification for 5 years showed greater sustainability and soil quality index in jute‐rice‐vegetable pea (0.83 and 0.63) and jute‐rice‐mustard‐mungbean (0.82 and 0.61) system with bulk density, NH 4 OAc‐K, MBC, urease and dehydrogenase activity as MDS variables (Kumar et al, 2021).…”

Soil Quality Assessment of Sesame-Growing Soils with Different Productivity in the Northern Telangana Zone, India

“…Variables showing an absolute value within 10% of highest factor under each PC were considered under MDS (Vasu et al, 2016;Kumar et al, 2022. Correlation was performed in PC1 and PC3 among the variables with highest factor loadings as shown by Vasu et al [20]. In PC1, correlation was performed between available nitrogen, available sulphur, available manganese and acid phosphatase.…”

“…Consequently, exchangeable calcium and magnesium are regarded as the crucial indicators of soil quality [31]. One of the most restricting nutrients for crops is often the available phosphorus that is present in the soil [29]. Available phosphorus promotes root development, which enhances nutrient intake and supports crop growth and development.…”

Impact of Potentially Soil Mineralizable Nitrogen (Pmn) on Soil Health and Crop Production

“…The understanding and measurement of PMN have evolved over the years, with different methods, including laboratory incubations and in-situ measurements, used to estimate this vital nitrogen pool (Schomberg et al, 2009). However, the impact of PMN on the broader soil-plant system, particularly its role in soil health and crop production, is not fully understood and has been the subject of ongoing research (Kumar et al, 2022). A growing body of literature highlights the potential importance of PMN for soil fertility, especially as it represents the readily available pool of nitrogen for plant uptake (Hansen et al, 2019;Franzluebbers et al, 1999).…”