Bio-Compost-Based Integrated Soil Fertility Management Improves Post-Harvest Soil Structural and Elemental Quality in a Two-Year Conservation Agriculture Practice

Abstract

The impacts of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) in conservation agriculture need short-term evaluation before continuation of its long-term practice. A split-split plot experiment with tillage (minimum tillage, MT vs. conventional tillage, CT) as the main plot, residue (20% residue, R vs. no residue as a control, NR) as the sub-plot, and compost (Trichocompost, LC; bio-slurry, BS; and recommended fertilization, RD) as the sub-sub plot treatment was conducted for two consecutive years. Composite soils were collected after harvesting the sixth crop of an annual mustard-rice-rice rotation to analyze for nutrient distribution and soil structural stability. The LC increased rice equivalent yield by 2% over RD and 4% over BS, and nitrogen (N) uptake by 11% over RD and 10% over BS. Likewise, LC had higher soil organic carbon (SOC), N, and available sulphur (S) than BS and RD. Conversion of CT to MT reduced rice equivalent yield by 11%, N uptake by 26%, and N-use efficiency by 28%. Conversely, soil structural stability and elemental quality was greater in MT than in CT, indicating the potential of MT to sequester C, N, P, and S in soil aggregates. Residue management increased rice yield in the second year by 4% and corresponding N uptake by 8%. While MT reduced the yield, our results suggest that ISFM with Trichocompost and residue retention under MT improves soil fertility and physical stability to sustain crop productivity.

Lime and Manure Amendment Improve Soil Fertility, Productivity and Nutrient Uptake of Rice-Mustard-Rice Cropping Pattern in an Acidic Terrace Soil

“…Liming aided root development by reducing the adverse effects of Al and hence increased P and K uptake, increasing rice yield [61]. Likewise, application of manure and its compost also improves yield nutrient content and nutrient uptake by rice [64]. Competitive ability of crops, especially maize with weeds, is another management strategy for improving physical properties of the seeds resulting in improved crop yield [65].…”

Mineral Composition of Soil and the Wheat Grain in Intensive and Conservation Cropping Systems

“…As expected, a greater dose of mineral fertilizer applied in ICS resulted in the significantly greater grain yield in comparison to CCS (7100 vs. 5850 kg ha −1 ). The CCS could unfavorably affect the growth and development of crops due to increased pest, disease, and weed pressure, but also due to lower temperatures and soil compaction [20], which cause decreased yields [49].…”

A Review: Growing Rice in the Controlled Environments

“…The addition of compost, crop residues and farmyard manure improve carbon stabilization in rice cultivation system. The methods or technology to improve soil organic carbon requires more research on management practices, ecological concerns, soil quality and sustainable production 31,32 .…”