Vol. 10, Special Issue 8 (2021)

Author(s):
Parshotam Kumar, NP Thakur, AK Gupta, Rohit Sharma, Manpreet Kour, Archana, RS Bochalya and Deepak Kumar

Abstract:
A two years study (2012-2014) on conservation agriculture was conducted at the research farm, FSR, Centre, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Main Campus, Chatha, Jammu, India. The experiment was laid out in split- plot design with two crop establishment methods (Minimum / Zero tillage and conventional tillage) and three cropping systems (Rice-Wheat, Rice-Marigold-French bean and Maize + soybean -Wheat) and two fertilizer rates (Rec. Dose of Fertilizer and 75% RDF + 25%N through FYM) with and without mulching in sub-plots under clay loam soil having alkaline in reaction (pH-8.1), medium in soil organic carbon( 0.55%) available P( 19.20Kgha-1& K(122.0Kgha-1 ) and low in available N(221.12 Kgha-1 ) with three replication. Among system based performance, Rice (Oryza sativa)-Marigold (Tagetes erecta)-Frenchbean (Phaselous vulgaris) recorded higher rice equivalent yield (REY) of (22.4 t/ha-1 and 19.48t/ha-1 in 1st and 2nd year of study). The maximum net return of Rs. 240372 ha-1 and Rs. 239015 ha-1 was recorded under Rice- Marigold- French bean cropping system with B:C ratio of 2.18 and 2.03 in 1st and 2nd year of study. Soil organic carbon content showed 6-9%& 9-11% enhancement over initial value in integrated nutrient management treatment where 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM was applied and in mulched treatment during first and second year respectively. Application of 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM and mulching with paddy straw @ 5t/ha also contributed a positive improvement in soil bulk density. The available NPK was slightly build up (4-12%, 14-30%, 10-14%) in all the treatments except rice –wheat cropping system (varied -1.36 to 22% N, 0.52 to 1.4%% and 1.64 to 4.9% K, respectively). However, NPK uptake (132.85, 45.47, 183.78 kgha-1) was recorded maximum in Rice-Marigold – French bean cropping system due to 300% cropping intensity of the system during both the years. With regards to microbial population, the maximum population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes was recorded in minimum tillage over conventional tillage. However maximum population of bacteria (17.56 x 106 CFU/g soil), fungi (22.72 x 103 CFU/g soil) and Actinomycetes (21.25 x 104 CFU/g) was recorded in second year of study. However, among the different cropping systems maize + soybean – wheat recorded more number of bacteria and fungi in first year and second year, while actinomycetes was recorded maximum in Rice-marigold-French bean, respectively. Moreover mulched and INM treatment plots also recorded higher microbial count during both the years.Based on the two years of investigation it can be concluded that application of paddy straw as mulch @ 5 ton ha-1 during Rabi season with INM under conventional method of sowing to Rice-Marigold-French bean yielded maximum REY of 21.09 t/ha-1with net returns (Rs 239693ha-1) and B:C ratio of 2.10.