Trends in key soil parameters under conservation agriculture-based sustainable intensification farming practices in the Eastern Ganga Alluvial Plains
A. K. Sinha A , A. Ghosh A , T. Dhar A , P. M. Bhattacharya A , B. Mitra A , S. Rakesh A , P. Paneru B , S. R. Shrestha C , S. Manandhar C D , K. Beura E , S. Dutta E , A. K. Pradhan
E , K. K. Rao F , Akbar Hossain G , N. Siddquie H , M. S. H. Molla I , A. K. Chaki D H , M. K. Gathala J , M. S. Islam J , R. C. Dalal D L , D. S. Gaydon K , A. M. Laing K and N. W. Menzies D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India.
B Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Hardinath, Nepal.
C Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Tarahara, Nepal.
D The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
E Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India.
F ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region-Patna, Bihar, India.
G Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh.
H Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
I Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Rangpur, Bangladesh.
J International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
K CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
L Corresponding author. Email: r.dalal@uq.edu.au
Soil Research 57(8) 883-893 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR19162
Submitted: 14 June 2019 Accepted: 30 July 2019 Published: 10 September 2019
Abstract
Key soil parameters, organic matter, soil pH and plant nutrients determine the capacity of a soil to sustain plant and animal productivity. Conservation agriculture (CA) and crop diversification or intensification may change these soil parameters positively or negatively, which eventually affect long-term sustainability. We monitored these key soil properties (at depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm) under CA-based sustainable intensification practices: zero-till (ZT), and crop residue retention, and crop rotations on Inceptisols and Entisols in the Eastern Ganga Alluvial Plains from 2014 to 2017. The rainfall of this sub-tropical region is 1273–3201 mm. Soil organic carbon (C) ranged within 0.46–1.13% and generally followed (positive) rainfall gradients. At all sites, the soil under ZT tended to have higher organic C than conventional tillage (CT). Soil pHH2O ranged within 5.7–7.8 across the region. At all sites, soil pH generally decreased under ZT compared to CT. This was most marked at some acidic soil sites where pH decreased by up to 0.4 units; the lower the initial soil pH, the higher was the decrease in pH under ZT practice. In contrast, the reverse trend was observed for soil organic C. Partial nutrient balances for N, P and K in rice–wheat and rice–maize systems were positive for N and P (<50 kg ha–1) but negative for K (up to 90 kg ha–1) under both tillage practices; more so under ZT practice even though crop residues were retained. Changes under ZT provide an opportunity to maintain soil organic C. However, remediation measures such as liming and efficient use of fertilisers are required for long-term sustainability of the farming systems in this agriculturally important region of South Asia.
Additional keywords: cropping systems, maize, partial nutrient balance, rice, soil organic C, soil pH, South Asia, wheat.
References
Alam MK, Bell RW, Salahin N, Pathan S, Mondol ATMAI, Alam MJ, Rashid MH, Paul PLC, Hossain MI, Shil NC (2018) Banding of fertiliser improves phosphorus acquisition and yield of zero tillage maize by concentrating phosphorus in surface soil. Sustainability 10, 3234| Banding of fertiliser improves phosphorus acquisition and yield of zero tillage maize by concentrating phosphorus in surface soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Alvarez R (2005) A review of nitrogen fertiliser and conservation tillage effects on soil organic carbon storage. Soil Use and Management 21, 38–52.
| A review of nitrogen fertiliser and conservation tillage effects on soil organic carbon storage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Aryal JP, Sapkota TB, Stirling CM, Jat ML, Jat HS, Rai M, Mittal S, Sutaliya JM (2016) Conservation agriculture-based wheat production better copes with extreme climate events than conventional tillage-based systems: A case of untimely excess rainfall in Haryana, India. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 233, 325–335.
| Conservation agriculture-based wheat production better copes with extreme climate events than conventional tillage-based systems: A case of untimely excess rainfall in Haryana, India.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bray RH, Kurtz IT (1945) Determination of total, organic and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science 59, 39–46.
| Determination of total, organic and available forms of phosphorus in soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bremner JM, Mulvaney CS (1982) Nitrogen-total. In ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties’. (Eds. AL Page, RH Miller, DR Keeney). pp. 595–624. (American Society of Agronomy: Madison, WI, USA)
Campbell CA, McConkey BG, Zentner RP, Selles F, Curtin D (1996) Long-term effects of tillage and crop rotations on soil organic C and total N in a clay soil in southwestern Saskatchewan. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 76, 395–401.
| Long-term effects of tillage and crop rotations on soil organic C and total N in a clay soil in southwestern Saskatchewan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Choudhary M, Jat HS, Datta A, Yadav AK, Sapkota TB, Mondal S, Meena RP, Sharma PC, Jat ML (2018) Sustainable intensification influences soil quality, biota, and productivity in cereal-based agroecosystems. Applied Soil Ecology 126, 189–198.
| Sustainable intensification influences soil quality, biota, and productivity in cereal-based agroecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dalal RC (1989) Long-term effects of no-tillage, crop residue and nitrogen application on properties of a Vertisol. Soil Science Society of America Journal 53, 1511–1515.
| Long-term effects of no-tillage, crop residue and nitrogen application on properties of a Vertisol.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dalal RC, Henderson PA, Glasby JM (1991) Organic matter and microbial biomass in a Vertisol after 20 yr of zero tillage. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 23, 435–441.
| Organic matter and microbial biomass in a Vertisol after 20 yr of zero tillage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dalal RC, Allen DE, Wang WJ, Reeves S, Gibson I (2011) Organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks in a Vertisol following 40 years of no-tillage, crop residue retention and nitrogen fertilisation. Soil & Tillage Research 112, 133–139.
| Organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks in a Vertisol following 40 years of no-tillage, crop residue retention and nitrogen fertilisation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Das S, Ali MM, Rahman MH, Khan MR, Hossain A, Ayman ES, Barutcular C (2018) Soil test based with additional extra nutrients increased the fertility and productivity of Wheat-Mung bean-aman rice cropping pattern in the High Ganges River Floodplain of Bangladesh. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science 24, 992–1003.
Dungait JAJ, Hopkins DW, Gregory AS, Whitmore AP (2012) Soil organic matter turnover is governed by accessibility not recalcitrance. Global Change Biology 18, 1781–1796.
| Soil organic matter turnover is governed by accessibility not recalcitrance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ericksen P, Thornton P, Notenbaert A, Cramer L, Jones P, Herrero M (2011) Mapping hotspots of climate change and food insecurity in the global tropics. Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Report no. 5, Copenhagen, Denmark. Available at https://ccafs.cgiar.org/publications/mapping-hotspots-climate-change-and-food-insecurity-global-tropics#.XWXsCOMzZpg [verified 28 August 2019].
Gathala MK (2018) Sustainable and resilient farming systems intensification in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (SRFSI). A synthesis report. CSE/2011/077, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: Canberra ACT.
Gathala MK, Timsina J, Islam MS, Rashid MH, Ghosh AK, Krupnik TJ, Tiwari TP, McDonald A (2015) Conservation agriculture-based tillage and crop establishment options can maintain farmers, yields and increase profits in South Asia’s rice-maize systems: evidence from Bangladesh. Field Crops Research 172, 85–98.
| Conservation agriculture-based tillage and crop establishment options can maintain farmers, yields and increase profits in South Asia’s rice-maize systems: evidence from Bangladesh.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gathala MK, Jat ML, Saharawat YS, Sharma SK, Singh Y, Ladha JK (2017) Physical and chemical properties of a sandy loam soil under irrigated rice-wheat sequence in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia. Journal of Ecosystem & Echography 7, 1–10.
Gaydon DS, Dalal RC (2015) Sustainable and resilient farming system intensification in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (SRFSI): soil data and measurements. CSIRO and the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Grove JH, Ward RC, Weil RR (2007) Nutrient stratification in no-till soils. The Leading Edge 6, 374–381.
Guo JH, Liu XJ, Zhang Y, Shen JL, Han WX, Zhang WF, Christie P, Goulding K, Vitousek PM, Zhang FS (2010) Significant acidification in major Chinese croplands. Science 327, 1008–1010.
| Significant acidification in major Chinese croplands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20150447PubMed |
Haynes RJ (2005) Labile organic matter fractions as central components of the quality of agricultural soils: an overview. Advances in Agronomy 85, 221–268.
| Labile organic matter fractions as central components of the quality of agricultural soils: an overview.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hossain MS, Hossain A, Sarkar MAR, Jahiruddin M, Teixeira da Silva JA, Hossain MI (2016) Productivity and soil fertility of the rice-wheat system in the high Ganges River Floodplain of Bangladesh is influenced by the inclusion of legumes and manure. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 218, 40–52.
| Productivity and soil fertility of the rice-wheat system in the high Ganges River Floodplain of Bangladesh is influenced by the inclusion of legumes and manure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Islam S, Gathala MK, Tiwari TP, Timsina J, Laing AM, Maharjan S, Chowdhury AK, Bhattacharya PM, Dhar T, Mitra B, Kumar S, Srivastwa PK, Dutta SK, Shrestha R, Manandhar S, Shrestha SR, Paneru P, Siddquie N, Hossain A, Islam R, Ghosh AK, Rahman MA, Kumar U, Rao KK, Gerard B (2019) Conservation agriculture based sustainable intensification: increasing yields and water productivity for smallholders of the Eastern Gangetic Plains. Field Crops Research 238, 1–17.
| Conservation agriculture based sustainable intensification: increasing yields and water productivity for smallholders of the Eastern Gangetic Plains.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jackson ML (1962) Hydrogen activity determination for soil. In: ‘Soil chemical analysis’. pp.38–56. (Asia Publishing House: New Delhi, India)
Jahan FN, Gurung TR (2017) ‘Best practices of integrated plant nutrition system in SAARC countries.’ 1st edn. (SAARC Agriculture Centre: Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Jahan MAHS, Hossain A, Sarkar MAR, Teixeira da Silva JA, Ferdousi MNS (2016) Productivity impacts and nutrient balances of an intensive potato-mungbean-rice crop rotation in multiple environments of Bangladesh. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 231, 79–97.
| Productivity impacts and nutrient balances of an intensive potato-mungbean-rice crop rotation in multiple environments of Bangladesh.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jat RK, Sapkota TB, Singh RG, Jat ML, Kumar M, Gupta RK (2014) Seven years of conservation agriculture in a rice-wheat rotation of Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia: yield trends and economic profitability. Field Crops Research 164, 199–210.
| Seven years of conservation agriculture in a rice-wheat rotation of Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia: yield trends and economic profitability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jenny H, Raychaudhuri SP (1960) ‘Effect of climate and cultivation on nitrogen and organic matter reserves in Indian soils.’ (ICAR: New Delhi, India)
Jones JB Jr, Case VW (1990) Sampling, handling, and analysing plant tissue samples. In ‘Soil testing and plant analysis.’ 3rd edn. (Ed. RL Westermann) pp. 389–427. (Soil Science Society of America: Madison, WI, USA)
Karlen DL, Ditzer CA, Andrews SS (2003) Soil quality: why and how? Geoderma 114, 145–156.
| Soil quality: why and how?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knicker H (2011) Soil organic N – an under-rated player for C sequestration in soils? Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43, 1118–1129.
| Soil organic N – an under-rated player for C sequestration in soils?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knudsen D, Petterson GA, Pratt PF (1982) Lithium, sodium and potassium. In: ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties’. (Eds. AL Page, RH Miller, DR Keeney) pp. 225–245. (American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI, USA).
MacDonald GK, Bennett EM, Potter PA, Ramankutty N (2011) Agronomic phosphorus imbalances across the world’s croplands. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 108, 3086–3091.
| Agronomic phosphorus imbalances across the world’s croplands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21282605PubMed |
Mandal B, Majumdar B, Bandyopadhyay PK, Hazra GC, Gandopadhyay A, Samantaray , Mishra AK, Chaudhury J, Saha MN, Kundu S (2007) The potential of cropping systems and soil amendments for carbon sequestration in soils under long-term experiments in subtropical India. Global Change Biology 13, 357–369.
| The potential of cropping systems and soil amendments for carbon sequestration in soils under long-term experiments in subtropical India.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mueller ND, West PC, Gerber JS, MacDonald GK, Polasky S, Foley JA (2014) A tradeoff frontier for global nitrogen use and cereal production. Environmental Research Letters 9, 054002
| A tradeoff frontier for global nitrogen use and cereal production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Olsen SR, Cole CV, Watanabe FS, Dean LA (1954) Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. Circular 939, USDA: Washington DC, USA.
Roy RN, Misra RV, Lesschen JP, Smaling EM (2003) Assessment of soil nutrient balance: approaches and methodologies. FAO Fertiliser and Plant Nutrition Bulletin-14. FAO: Rome.
Saiz G, Bird MI, Domingues T, Schrodt F, Schwarz M, Feldpausch TR, Veenendaal E, Djagbletey G, Hien F, Compaore H, Diallo A, Lloyd J (2012) Variation in soil carbon stocks and their determinants across a precipitation gradient in West Africa. Global Change Biology 18, 1670–1683.
| Variation in soil carbon stocks and their determinants across a precipitation gradient in West Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sarker A, Kashem MA, Osman KT, Hossain I, Ahmed F (2014) Evaluation of available phosphorus by soil test methods in an acidic soil incubated with different levels of lime and phosphorus. Open Journal of Soil Science 4, 103–108.
| Evaluation of available phosphorus by soil test methods in an acidic soil incubated with different levels of lime and phosphorus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Singh Y, Singh B, Timsina J (2005) Crop residue management for nutrient cycling and improving soil productivity in the rice-based cropping systems in the tropics. Advances in Agronomy 85, 269–407.
| Crop residue management for nutrient cycling and improving soil productivity in the rice-based cropping systems in the tropics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Six J, Paustian K, Elliott ET, Combrink C (2000) Soil structure and soil organic matter: I. Distribution of aggregate size classes and aggregate associated carbon. Soil Science Society of America Journal 64, 681–689.
| Soil structure and soil organic matter: I. Distribution of aggregate size classes and aggregate associated carbon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Somasundaram J, Reeves S, Wang W, Heenan M, Dalal R (2017) Impact of 47 years of no- tillage and stubble retention on soil aggregation and carbon distribution in a Vertisol. Land Degradation & Development 28, 1589–1602.
| Impact of 47 years of no- tillage and stubble retention on soil aggregation and carbon distribution in a Vertisol.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sparling G, Vojvodic V, Schipper LA (1998) Hot water soluble C as a simple measure of labile soil organic matter: the relationship with microbial biomass C. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 30, 1469–1472.
| Hot water soluble C as a simple measure of labile soil organic matter: the relationship with microbial biomass C.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Surekha K, Satishkumar YS (2014) Productivity, nutrient balance, soil quality and sustainability of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under organic and conventional production systems. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 45, 415–428.
| Productivity, nutrient balance, soil quality and sustainability of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under organic and conventional production systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tandon HLS (2005) ‘Methods of analysis of soils, plants, waters, fertilisers & organic manures.’ 2nd edn. (Fertiliser Development and Consultation Organisation: New Delhi, India)
Thomas GA, Dalal RC, Standley J (2007) No-till effects on organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity and nutrient distribution in a Luvisol in the semi-arid subtropics. Soil & Tillage Research 94, 295–304.
| No-till effects on organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity and nutrient distribution in a Luvisol in the semi-arid subtropics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vargas Gil SV, Meriles J, Conforto C, Figoni G, Basanta M, Lovera E, March GJ (2009) Field assessment of soil biological and chemical quality in response to crop management practices. World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology 25, 439–448.
| Field assessment of soil biological and chemical quality in response to crop management practices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walkley A, Black CA (1934) An examination of the digestion method for determining soil organic matter and proposed modifications of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37, 29–38.
| An examination of the digestion method for determining soil organic matter and proposed modifications of the chromic acid titration method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wanjari RH, Singh MV, Ghosh PK (2004) Sustainable yield index: An approach to evaluate sustainability of long-term intensive cropping systems in India. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 24, 39–56.
| Sustainable yield index: An approach to evaluate sustainability of long-term intensive cropping systems in India.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhao SC, He P, Qiu SJ, Liu MC, Jin JY, Johnston AM (2014) Long-term effects of potassium fertilisation and straw return on soil potassium levels and crop yields in north-central China. Field Crops Research 169, 116–122.
| Long-term effects of potassium fertilisation and straw return on soil potassium levels and crop yields in north-central China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
