Vol. 9, Issue 6 (2020)

Author(s):
Sunil Kumar, RN Meena and MP Singh

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted in 2016-17 and 2017-18 during kharif and rabi season at agricultural research farm of BHU, Varanasi to study the effect of different tillage options and green manuring on soil health under maize-wheat based cropping system. The experiment was laid out in split plot design consisting of 20 treatments. The four different tillage options were assigned to main plot and five summer green manuring treatments were kept in sub plots. ZTM – ZTW and CTM – CTW remained statistically at par with each other and showed higher uptake than the other tillage practices. The treatment dhaincha followed by sunnhemp recorded significantly higher N, P and K uptake by grain and stover over the other green manuring practices. Tillage options and summer green manuring slightly improve the soil bulk density, pH and EC but it was not up to the level of significance under maize- wheat based cropping system. The treatment ZTM – ZTW registered significantly higher value of organic carbon content during second year, after harvest of each crop. The significantly highest primary nutrient availability was recorded in treatment ZTM – ZTW after harvest of maize crop but it was not significant in case of P and K during first year of experimentation. Whereas, ZTM – ZTW resulted significantly highest available nutrient status of soil after harvest of the experimental wheat crop as compared to other tillage Options. Among summer green manuring, dhaincha followed by sunnhemp recorded significantly higher organic carbon during second year after harvest of each maize and wheat crop over other green manuring practices. The highest N, P and K availability was recorded significant in dhaincha after harvest of maize crop but it was not significant in case of P and K in case of maize crop during first year of investigation. Whereas, dhaincha and sunnhemp resulted significantly the highest available N, P and K of soil after harvest of wheat crop as compared to other green manuring practices. It is recommended that ZT maize and summer green manure dhaincha residue mulching should be followed to improve soil physio-chemical properties of soil.