Impact of zero tillage on rice-wheat cropping systems in Haryana

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the long term effect of zero-tillage practices on physico-chemical properties of soil at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth under rice-wheat cropping system in Karnal. Soil texture was loamy at Karnal sampling sites and results of the study revealed that pH, EC and BD (bulk density) was not significantly affected by zero-tillage (ZT) practices. On adopting ZT, soil organic carbon (SOC) increased from 0.49 to 0.52% at surface soil and 0.41 to 0.43% at sub-surface soil in comparison to CT. More available N, P, K, and total N were recorded in surface soil samples under zero tillage as compared to conventional system, however, C:N ratio was observed to be slightly affected by this management practice. Therefore, the ZT practices resulting, improved SOC, can be suitable for improving productivity and soil health under the rice- wheat cropping system (RWCS).