Impact of long-term zero till wheat on soil physical properties and wheat productivity under rice-wheat cropping system

Abstract

Information about the changes in soil properties upon change in the agricultural management system isessential for sustainability of the system. The long-term (15 years) impact of zero tillage in wheat underrice–wheat cropping system in semi-arid region of Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) was evaluated for physicalproperties, organic carbon build up, root growth and wheat productivity in different textured soils. Theconventional (CT, two harrowing, one cultivator and planking) and zero tillage (ZT, direct drilling)systems were investigated.ZT increased soil organic carbon significantly to a depth of 0.10, 0.15 and 0.25 m in sandy loam, loamand clay loam soil, respectively, indicating its buildup to deeper depths with increase in fineness of soiltexture. Carbon stock in surface 0.4 m soil depth increased by 19.0, 34.7 and 38.8% over CT in 15 years insandy loam, loam and clay loam soil, respectively. The corresponding carbon sequestration rates were0.24, 0.46 and 0.62 Mg ha1year1. It reduced the plough pan, however, a significant increase in bulkdensity was observed in surface 0.05 m in sandy loam and 0.10 m in both loam and clay loam soils. Waterdispersible silt + clay reduced indicating better soil aggregation. Saturated hydraulic conductivityincreased significantly only to a depth of 0.10 m but with varying magnitudes. Increase in magnitude insurface 0.05 m layer was highest in loam (51%) followed by sandy loam (40%) and clay loam (38%) soil.Although ZT increased water retention and aeration porosity but increase in field water capacity wassignificant to a deeper depth (0.15 m) in clay loam soil. Water intake rate also increased significantly inclay loam soil (28%) over CT. The root biomass increased significantly and the highest increase wasrecorded in loam (81%) followed by sandy loam (70%) and clay loam (42%) soil. In addition, ZTencouraged roots to penetration deeper in the soils.In spite of improved soil physical properties and root growth under ZT, the significant increase inmass of grains and consequently the wheat yield, was observed only in clay loam soil indicating that thephysical properties of other soils under CT have not reached to a stage limiting plant growth and yields.Study concludes that the ZT practice in wheat under rice–wheat system of semi-arid region of IGP inHaryana may be adopted for sustaining productivity of the system but the implementation of thepractice must be promoted in fine textured soils.