Role of Soil Physical Properties in Soil Health Management and Crop Productivity in Rainfed Systems-II Management Technologies and Crop Productivity

Abstract

In this article we review how different management technologies like integrated nutrient management, tillage practices, mulching, addition of clay, surface compaction, conservation tillage, use of polymers, etc. can favourably modify the soil physical properties like bulk density, porosity, aeration, soil moisture, soil aggregation, water retention and transmission properties, and soil processes like evaporation, infiltration, run-off and soil loss for better crop growth and yield. We suggest that if appropriate soil management technologies are adopted in rainfed areas for the improvement of soil physical health, the productivity of rainfed crops can be significantly improved.

Physical properties and organic matter content of the soils of Bade in Yobe State, Nigeria

“…The transformation and movement of materials within soil organic matter pools is a dynamic process influenced by climate, soil type, vegetation and soil organisms. Soil organic matter levels commonly increase as mean annual precipitation increases and field studies have shown that temperature is a key factor controlling the rate of decomposition of plant residues and accumulation (Bot and Banites, 2005) There is a strong growing realization that yields are limited by the physical conditions rather than plant nutrient status in the soil and that among many climatic and edaphic crop production constraints, substantial reduction in the production capacity of rainfed areas could be attributed to soil physical constraints (Indoria et al, 2016). Knowledge of the nature of soil properties existing in any area is very vital in developing management systems for these soils.…”

Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Soils under Cacao Production System in Davao de Oro, Philippines

“…In recent development of research in cacao, there is a strong growing context that yield is greatly affected by physical conditions rather than the nutrient content in the soil. Among many climatic and edaphic crop production constraints, substantial reduction in the production capacity of rainfed areas could be attributed to soils' physical constraints, like surface crusting and hardening, subsurface hard pan and compactness, high and slow permeability, extremes of consistence, soil water-related constraints, and wind and water erosion (Indoria et al 2016). Thus, knowledge on the physical properties of soil like regolith depth, soil color, texture, structure, consistence, redoximorphic properties, and presence of rock fragments are essential in improving soil characteristics and achieving optimum cacao production.…”

Effective Management Practices for Improving Soil Organic Matter for Increasing Crop Productivity in Rainfed Agroecology of India

“…This indicated that combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers played an important role in stabilizing and maintaining SOC in cropping systems and ensuring sustainability. Various studies conducted in rainfed agroecology revealed that there was a direct positive relationship between profile SOC content, and crop productivity and soil health [24][25][26][27] . Results of various longterm experiments conducted at different rainfed locations by Srinivasarao et al [28][29][30][31][32][33] and Sharma et al 34,35 in different cropping systems (groundnut production system 28 , finger millet-based production system 29 , groundnut-finger millet 30 , pearl millet-cluster bean rotation production system 31 , safflower and soybean-based production system 32 , sorghum-based production system 33 , pearl millet production system 34 , sorghum-mung bean-based production system 35 , proved that integrated nutrient management significantly enhanced SOC and associated soil function, and crop productivity significantly in different rainfed agroecology of India.…”

“…The quantitative analysis of different tank silt samples from Warangal districts, Telangana revealed that the content of organic carbon in these samples ranged from 0.3% to 1.5%. Besides organic C, these samples also contained the other plant nutrients such as N (328-748), P (5-35), K (271-522), sulphur (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30), zinc (1.2-5.6) and boron content (0.4-0.8) mg kg -1 silt 63 . These authors reported that tank silt application also improved other physical and biological parametres of the soil.…”