Raised and sunken bed land configuration for crop diversification and crop and water productivity enhancement in rice paddies of the north eastern region of India

Abstract

The crop and water productivity (WP) of monocropped rice in lowland of north-eastern region of India is low mainly due to cultivation of long duration variety, meagre use of fertilizer and manure, and inefficient water management, which needs to be improved for sustaining food security. Raised and sunken bed (RSB) land configuration (removing the surface soil layer from an area and depositing on the adjacent area to a height of about 50 cm by cutting and filling method) was demonstrated in a participatory research mode in farmers' field during 2010-2012 for promoting crop diversification, enhancing crop and WP, and improving livelihood. The results indicated significant improvement in cropping intensity, productivity, employment, and income of farmers due to adoption of RSB land configuration compared to farmers' practice (FP) of rice monocropping. The average rice equivalent yield (REY) of RSB land configuration was 16.20 t ha -1 compared to 3.24 t ha -1 under FP. The enhancement in employment and water-use efficiency were 445 and 291 % due to RSB over FP, respectively. The WP enhanced by four times due to RSB (0.69 kg m -3 water) compared to FP (0.18 kg m -3 water). In raised beds, the highest gross (USD 7,346 ha -1 ) and net returns (USD 4,524 ha -1 ) were recorded under tomato-okra-broccoli sequence, while in sunken beds, the highest gross and net returns were obtained under rice-pea (USD 2,633 and 1,590 ha -1 , respectively) and these were substantially higher than those observed under FP (USD 775 ha -1 and USD 383 ha -1 , respectively). Multiple cropping index, cultivated land utilization index, and diversity index also increased substantially due to RSB land configuration.

Effects of Conservation Tillage and Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Productivity of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)–Rice System in North Eastern Region of India

“…Similarly, the DHA activity was also the maximum in T 5 (9.49 µg TPF g −1 dry soil) and the minimum under T 1 (4.3 µg TPF g −1 dry soil) ( Figure 2B). The MBC and DHA are soil quality indicators because of their relevance to soil biology and rapid response to changes in soil management [7,57] In the present study, NT systems with INM and residue retention had significantly increased SBMC and DHA than that under other treatments. The MBC and DHA under T 5 were 17.8 and 44%, higher than that under T 4 respectively.…”

“…The TN concentrations significantly decreased with the increase in the tillage frequency and intensity and followed the order of NT > RT > PT at 0-5 cm depth in both years [54]. Therefore, conservation tillage (NT/RT) based farming practices have been widely recommended for improving the TSN and N sequestration in soils [7,18,52,53,56]. However, C:N ratio has not been significantly affected by different treatments in the present study (Table 5).…”

“…Significant differences in SOC concentration (0-40 cm) after four years of tillage and straw retention practices in China followed the order of NT > PT > RT [48]. The positive effect of conservation tillage along with organic manure and residue retention/incorporation in increasing the TOC in paddy soils of India have also been reported [7,43,45,49]. Further, the integrated uses of organics with inorganic fertilizers also have been reported to enhance productivity and SOC concentration over that with the sole application of fertilizer or manure [35,50].…”

“…However, the amount of N recycled was the highest under T 5 (Table 5). Other researchers have also reported higher C and N recycling potential from retention of rice straw and with the application of FYM and GLM [32] and rice straw and weed biomass [7,15] under NT in lowland rice compared to farmers practices. Table 3.…”

Impact of land configuration and organic nutrient management on productivity, quality and soil properties under baby corn in Eastern Himalayas

“…Globally, the Eastern Himalayan region of India is known for its high and intense rainfall (> 250 cm annually) 52 . Hence, excess water stress, soil, and nutrient's losses are the prime challenges for efficient crop production especially during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods (March to September).…”