Response of long-term application of organic and inorganic fertilization on soil erodibility, soil temperature and albedo after harvest of wheat under wheat maize cropping sequence

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, using a randomized block design with 12 treatments involving combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The study focused on soil physical properties—soil erodibility, soil temperature and albedo—under a maize-wheat cropping sequence. Results showed that soil erodibility (K-factor) was markedly reduced under organic and integrated treatments, with T₈ showing the lowest values (0.20-0.21 mm ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), achieving up to a 49% reduction compared to the control. Integration of NPK with FYM (T₇) effectively moderated soil temperature (28.19 °C) relative to the control (31.66 °C). Soil albedo also declined with organic additions, where T₈ recorded the lowest values (0.308-0.309), nearly 14% lower than the control. Pooled analysis confirmed that FYM, either alone or combined with NPK, reduced erodibility, moderated thermal regimes and decreased albedo. The findings underscore the importance of integrated and organic nutrient management in improving soil quality and creating a favorable microclimate for sustainable crop production.