Effect of Tillage Practices on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity in Wheat-Mungbean-Rice Cropping System under Subtropical Climatic Conditions

Abstract

This study was conducted to know cropping cycles required to improve OM status in soil and to investigate the effects of medium-term tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields in Grey Terrace soil of Bangladesh under wheat-mungbean-T. aman cropping system. Four different tillage practices, namely, zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT), conventional tillage (CT), and deep tillage (DT), were studied in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with four replications. Tillage practices showed positive effects on soil properties and crop yields. After four cropping cycles, the highest OM accumulation, the maximum root mass density (0–15 cm soil depth), and the improved physical and chemical properties were recorded in the conservational tillage practices. Bulk and particle densities were decreased due to tillage practices, having the highest reduction of these properties and the highest increase of porosity and field capacity in zero tillage. The highest total N, P, K, and S in their available forms were recorded in zero tillage. All tillage practices showed similar yield after four years of cropping cycles. Therefore, we conclude that zero tillage with 20% residue retention was found to be suitable for soil health and achieving optimum yield under the cropping system in Grey Terrace soil (Aeric Albaquept).

Effect of Tillage and Residue Retention on Soil Properties and Crop Yields in Wheat-Mungbean-Rice Crop Rotation under Subtropical Humid Climate

“…Extensive tillage practices may lead to breakdown of soil organic matter (SOM) [2] and undesirable change in soil physical properties [3]. The SOM influences soil quality, especially in subsistence agriculture [4] and its proper management is the nucleus of sustainable agriculture [5].…”

“…Bangladesh is situated under sub-tropical humid zone and its climate is congenial for rapid decomposition of OM [6]. Average cropping intensity (the ratio of the effective crop area harvested to the physical area) in Bangladesh is 191% and growing, but cropping patterns are mainly intensive rice-based [6] that promotes high levels of nutrient extraction from soils without allowing time for natural recovery [2]. The use of excessive synthetic fertilizers exacerbates the debilitated soil fertility situation [7].…”

“…In addition, Kushwaha et al [14] found that minimum tillage (MT) practices under the principles of conservation agriculture (CA) can reverse the declining trend in soil quality. Hence, CA practices such as minimal soil disturbance, crop residue retention with proper crop rotations could be a good option for Bangladesh to maintain soil health for better crop production [2]. Though the benefits of SOC sequestration to sustaining crop productivity by following minimum disturbance of soil [2] [15] along with applying organic amendments and crop residues and including leguminous crops in the cropping systems have been well documented in other parts of South and Southeast Asia [10] [11] [14], very few studies have been conducted in the rice based triple cro-pping systems of Bangladesh of subtropical humid climate in this regard.…”

“…What is, for that reason, the optimum combination of tillage practices and crop residue retention levels for higher crop yield and soil health? However, the effects of tillage practices and crop residue retention on soil physical properties, SOC content along with crop yields under wheat-mungbean-rice cropping system have not been adequately assessed in Bangladesh [2].…”

Time-varying parameter models for catchments with land use change: the importance of model structure

“…Nevertheless, permanent forest removal may decrease baseflow because of soil compaction and lower infiltration rates (e.g., Zimmermann et al, 2006;Bormann and Klaassen, 2008). Some authors also show that tillage practices, associated with forest conversion to cropland, can increase soil porosity, soil water content and infiltration, thus ultimately contributing to baseflow formation (e.g., Alam et al, 2014).…”