Rice residue management alternatives in wheat under rice-wheat cropping system: A review

Abstract

Residue management is becoming a more pressing concern for both environmental preservation and the sustainable growth of Indian agriculture, especially in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Thirty percent of the 620 MT of agricultural residues produced annually in the nation are surplus, of which 234 MT are derived from rice and wheat. Of the entire agricultural residue burned, rice and wheat account for 62%, or about 16%. We currently lack a workable, organized strategy to deal with crop leftovers, or the rate of adoption is low. As a result, the majority of farmers burn rice wastes in the field, which not only degrades the environment but also significantly reduces nutrient levels. Intensive cultivation, combinde harvesting, lack of conventional use for agricultural leftovers, and shortage of customers for rice straw are the main factors driving residue burning. It is imperative for farmers to have clear fields as soon as possible, regardless of the expense, to guarantee the timely seeding of wheat, the next crop, and to avoid any obstacles caused by loose straw during agricultural operations. Farmers are compelled to burn straw because it takes time to handle loose straw by mechanical means to ensure the next crop is sown in standing stubble smoothly. Farmers are compelled to burn straw because it takes time to handle loose straw by mechanical means to ensure the next crop is sown in standing stubble smoothly. Because it was done on a small scale, field burning of crop residue (FBCR) was not given much attention by policy makers in the previous 20 years. However, these days, FBCR is recognized as a serious agricultural pollutant that directly affects the environment, human health, and causes global warming because it produces greenhouse gases. This harmful practice depletes soil fertility and causes severe smog across Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi during harvest season. Rice and wheat are two of the main cropping systems in the IGP, and both create a lot of surplus wastes that is finally disposed of by burning it in the field, especially the leftover rice. The government and the legal system today do not tolerate FBCR. Strict regulations are already in place, punishing offenders with harsh fines and even jail time. Strict regulations are already in place, punishing offenders with harsh fines and even imprisonment. Despite being a major hassle for farmers, producers are nonetheless forced to continue this technique in the lack of a good and financially viable alternative. Crop residues must be managed both on the farm and after harvest. This can be done in a number of ways, including by modifying machinery, training farmers, adjusting the cropping method, and using rice straw for manufacturing and electricity production. An attempt has been made to cover the main topics of rice residue management in India's rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) in this review.