Soil quality restoration and yield stabilization in acidic soils of northeastern Himalayas: Five years impact of green manuring and crop residue management

Ansari, Mukhtar; Choudhary, Jairam; Ravisankar, N.; Panwar, A. S.

doi:10.3389/fenvs.2022.940349

Cited by 13 publications

(16 citation statements)

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“…The utilization of leguminous crops within the system and the recycling of biomass led (17.2–18.4 tonnes ha −1 ; Supplementary Figure S1 ) to an increase in the production efficiency per unit of land following the implementation of conservation agriculture. The retention of more residues of above-ground biomass helps to improve the quality of the soil’s properties ( 18 , 41 ). Therefore, production efficiency and overall system productivity increased by ~5% due to the retention of residues as compared to the removal of residues in conventional agriculture ( 6 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The NEH region is best suited for organic farming since the synthetic fertilizers load on the soil is minimal. Agricultural crop residues and organic manure have enormous potential to restore soil health through organic conservation practices (18)(19)(20). NEH region produced 2.55 million tonnes of agricultural biomass and has 2.98 million bovines, which stimulates organic crop production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrating conservation agriculture with intensive crop diversification in the maize-based organic system: Impact on sustaining food and nutritional security

et al. 2023

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IntroductionDeveloping an intensive sustainable model and feeding a rising population are worldwide challenges. The task is much more daunting in the North Eastern Himalayas, where, low productive maize (Zea mays)maize (Zea mays) fallow is the main production system in the upland. To increase farm productivity, nutritional security, and energy dietary returns while maintaining environmental sustainability and economic viability, short-duration crops must be included in the maize–fallow system.MethodsA field study was conducted in sandy clay loam soil with a randomized complete block design with three replications for three continuous years (2018–2021) under organic management with two crop management practices, viz., (i) conservation agriculture and (ii) conventional agriculture, and six crop diversification options, viz., (i) maize–sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata)–vegetable pea (Pisum sativa) (M-SC-VP), (ii) maize–sweet corn-mustard (Brassica juncea) (M-SC-M), (iii) maize–sweet corn–lentil (Lens culinaris) (M-SC-L), (iv) maize–sweet corn–vegetable broad bean (Vicia faba) (M-SC-VB), (v) maize (local)–vegetable pea (M-VP), and (vi) maize (local)–fallow (M-F).ResultsThe results showed that, the average system productivity was 5.3% lower for conventional agriculture than conservation agriculture. System carbohydrate, protein, fat, dietary fiber, and dietary energy were ~6.9, 6.8, 7.8, 6.7, and 7%, higher in conservation agriculture than in conventional agriculture, respectively. Similarly, system macronutrients (Ca, Mg, P, and K) and system micronutrients yield (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) were, 5.2–8% and 6.9–7.4% higher in conservation agriculture than in conventional agriculture, respectively. On average, over the years, crop diversification with M-SC-VP/M-SC-VB intensive crop rotation had higher system productivity (158%), production efficiency (157%), net returns (benefit–cost ratio) (44%), and dietary net energy returns (16.6%) than the local maize–vegetable pea system. Similarly, the M-SC-VP/M-SC-VB system improved the nutritional security by improving Ca, Mg, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu yield by 35.5–135.7% than the local M-VP system.DiscussionConservation agriculture with M-SC-VP/M-SC-VB rotation showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher productivity, carbohydrate yield, protein yield, fat yield, and dietary fiber production. It is concluded that conservation agriculture improved soil health and performed better than conventional agriculture in maize-based intensive cropping systems. Overall results indicate that crop diversification with M-SC-VP/M-SC-VB can potentially increase calorie and protein consumption and farm profitability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating conservation agriculture with intensive crop diversification in the maize-based organic system: Impact on sustaining food and nutritional security

et al. 2023

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“…Year-round feed, fodder, labor, manure, and water are needed for a successful and sustainable IFS/IOFS model in any particular region (Das et al, 2021). Crop residue management, such as soil surface retention, has a positive impact on soil health (Mishra and Nayak, 2004;Turmel et al, 2015;Ansari et al, 2022a). The regular addition of residue as organic input maintains the soil organic matter (SOM) level for better soil health (FAO, 2011).…”

Section: Residue Recycling and Nutrient Balance In An Iofsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An integrated organic farming system: innovations for farm diversification, sustainability, and livelihood improvement of hill farmers

Layek

Das

Ansari

et al. 2023

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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IntroductionOrganic farming is a promising solution for mitigating environmental burdens related to input-intensive agricultural practices. The major challenge in organic agriculture is the non-availability of large quantities of organic inputs required for crop nutrition and sustaining soil health, which can be resolved by efficient recycling of the available on- and off-farm resources and the integration of the components as per the specific locations.MethodsAn integrated organic farming system (IOFS) model comprising agricultural and horticultural crops, rainwater harvesting units, livestock components, and provisions for nutrient recycling was developed and disseminated in the adopted organic villages Mynsain, Pynthor, and Umden Umbathiang in the Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya, India, to improve the income and livelihood of farmers. Harvested rainwater in farm ponds and Jalkunds was used for live-saving irrigation in the winter months and diversified homestead farming activities, such as growing high-value crops and rearing cattle, pigs, and poultry.ResultsMaize, french bean, potato, ginger, tomato, carrot, and chili yields in the IOFS model increased by 20%−30%, 40%−45%, 25%−30%, 33%−40%, 45%−50%, 37%−50%, and 27%−30%, respectively, compared with traditional practices. Some farmers produced vermicompost in vermibeds (made of high-density polyethylene) and cement brick chambers, generating 0.4−1.25 tons per annum. Two individual farmers, Mr. Jrill Makroh and Mrs. Skola Kurbah obtained net returns (without premium price) of Rs. 46,695 ± 418 and Rs. 31,102 ± 501 from their respective 0.27- and 0.21-ha IOFS models, which is equivalent to Rs. 172,944 ± 1,548/ha/year and Rs. 148,105 ± 2,385/ha/year, respectively. The net returns obtained from the IOFS models were significantly higher than those obtained from the farmers' practice of maize-fallow or cultivation of maize followed by vegetable (~30% of the areas). It is expected that, with the certification of organic products, the income and livelihood of the farmers will improve further over the years. While Mr. Jrill Makroh's model supplied 95.1%, 82.0%, and 96.0% of the total N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively, needed by the system, Mrs. Skola Kurbah's model supplied 76.0%, 68.6%, and 85.5% of the total N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively.DiscussionThus, IOFS models should be promoted among hill farmers so that they can efficiently recycle farm resources and increase their productivity, net returns, and livelihood while reducing their dependence on external farm inputs.

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“…Stabilization of soil C and nutrients will help reduce CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere and can address several SDGs, including climate action (SDG-13) and life on land (SDG-15), by preserving soil microbial diversity, which is an important component of growing crops for humans and livestock on the planet. Sesbania is a leguminous crop with a low C:N ratio (23.5: 1.0), which aids in residue decomposition and nutrient release, as well as having potential microbial diversity (Babu et al, 2020a;Ansari et al, 2022c). In Sesbania integrated sites, the crop cover may have generated a conducive environment for greater microbial breakdown, resulting in faster decomposition and nutrient release.…”

Section: Spatial Variability and Crop Management On Soil Quality Indi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of organic farming on the restoration of soil quality, ecosystem services, and productivity in rice–wheat agro-ecosystems

Panwar

Ansari

Ravisankar

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Excess use of hazardous agrochemicals and inorganic fertilizers resulted negative impact on environmental outcomes and degraded soil function, biological diversity, and ecosystem services. A 15-year long-term (2004–05 to 2017–18) field experiment was conducted to improve the ecosystem services with soil quality restoration and stabilization of yield through agronomic manipulation in the rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system under Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Three crop management practices (i) organic crop management, (ii) inorganic crop management, and (iii) integrated crop management were evaluated at four locations (i) Jabalpur, (ii) Ludhiana, (iii) Pantnagar, and (iv) Modipuram in a factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice at each location. Among the spatial variation, the highest soil quality indicators like soil microbial biomass carbon (0.52 mg g−1), fungal (46.2 CFU × 104 CFU), bacterial (54.2 CFU × 106 CFU), and actinomycetes viable cells (23.0 CFU × 106 CFU), and nutrients (available N and available P) were observed at Pantnagar than other location. The soil pH varied from 7.2 to 8.3, and the lowest bulk density (ρb) was recorded at Jabalpur and Modipuram. Subsequently, higher system productivity (8,196.7 kg ha−1) and net returns were obtained in Pantnagar > Ludhiana, and it was 44.1–63.4% higher than in Modipuram and Jabalpur. Among the crop management, organic crop management significantly improved (p < 0.05) ρb, soil organic carbon, available N, available P, and available K by 3.7%, 33.3%, 16.4%, 37.8%, and 20.3% over inorganic crop management, respectively. Similarly, the highest bacterial, fungal, and actinomycetes viable cell counts were found under the organic plots, followed by integrated plots. In terms of productivity, integrated crop management (ICM) had increased the system productivity by 4.7%–6.7% and net returns by 22.2% and 23.5% over inorganic and organic crop management. Similarly, the highest sustainability yield index (SYI) was recorded in integrated crop management (0.77) as compared to inorganic (0.74) and organic management (0.75). The soil quality index was estimated as 0.60, 0.53, and 0.54 in organic, inorganic, and ICM, respectively. Hence, the study indicated that the application of organic amendments under organic or integrated crop management improves the system’s resiliency and sustainability. Therefore, the study concludes that towards organic approach (integrated application of organic amendments with a gradual reduction in mineral fertilizers) is better suitable for keeping the rice–wheat system productivity and sustainable in the long term.

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Soil quality restoration and yield stabilization in acidic soils of northeastern Himalayas: Five years impact of green manuring and crop residue management

Cited by 13 publications

References 51 publications

Integrating conservation agriculture with intensive crop diversification in the maize-based organic system: Impact on sustaining food and nutritional security

Integrating conservation agriculture with intensive crop diversification in the maize-based organic system: Impact on sustaining food and nutritional security

An integrated organic farming system: innovations for farm diversification, sustainability, and livelihood improvement of hill farmers

Effect of organic farming on the restoration of soil quality, ecosystem services, and productivity in rice–wheat agro-ecosystems

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