Impact of conservation agriculture production system on soil carbon dynamics

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 carbon fractions zero tillage with horse gram as surface mulch (M3C3) increased the active carbon (0.89 g kg-1) and water-soluble carbon (1.30 g kg-1). 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 of soil.