Impact of conservation agriculture production system on soil chemical properties

Abstract

The research entitled “Effect of conservation production system on soil properties and carbon dynamics in rainfed condition” was conducted at AICRP for dryland agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore during Kharif 2020. With three main plot treatments “Tillage practices” (M1- Conventional tillage, M2- Reduced tillage, M3- Zero tillage) and three sub plot treatments ‘Cover crops’ (C1- Control, C2- Field bean, C3- Horse gram) replicated thrice and laid out in split plot design. Organic carbon content of soil differed significantly due to different tillage management with maximum (0.36%) in reduced tillage (M2) and zero tillage (M3). Among different tillage management practices the available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur content of soil was found to be maximum in zero tillage (M3) followed by reduced tillage. Highest available micronutrient status Zn, Fe and Cu was in M2C2 (Reduced tillage + field bean cover crop). The interaction effect between different tillage practices and cover crops was found significant. Crop residue and tillage affects the soil environment directly or indirectly, incorporation of crop residue into soil or retention on the surface through the adaptation of conservation agriculture practice which increases the organic matter content in turn increases the nutrient pool in soil. Overall, adoption of conservation agriculture; crop mulching and reduced tillage operations promotes the soil chemical properties under rainfed condition.