Vol. 12, Issue 1 (2023)

Author(s):
Vishal Ahlawat, RS Dadarwal, PK Yadav and Kautilya Chaudhary

Abstract:
Long-term experiments have been conducted to quantify changes in physicochemical properties of the soils. Long-term experiments having different management practices can provide critical observations regarding the changes in soil quality and can help in prediction of future soil productivity and soil-environment interactions. With organic matter addition soil aggregation, total porosity and bulk density were improved. Cumulative infiltration and its rate were greater with crop residue incorporation than burning or removal. Significant variability in water-stable aggregates and mean weighted diameter with SOC indicated better soil stability. The increase in OC significantly increased the infiltration rate (IR), hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil water retention at all suctions, water stable aggregates (WSA) and mean weight diameter of the soil aggregates, while decreased the bulk density (BD) and penetration resistance (PR) both at surface and subsurface soil layers. The MWD, total porosity and WHC improved with balanced application of fertilizers. Organic manures substituted plots registered lower pH than sole chemically fertilized. Electrical conductivity was slightly lower in organic treated plots as compared to chemically fertilized plots. Integrated application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manure resulted in greater SOC accumulation and higher potentially mineralizable C in the soil. Long-term application of fertilizer has a positive effect on soil total nitrogen and total organic carbon compared to control treatment. Long-term studies in high Olsen-P soils showed increased P build-up with recommended fertilizer P application rates.