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Nitrogen Effects on Productivity and Soil Properties in Conventional and Zero Tilled Wheat with Different Residue Management
, , Prasad Nath Chaitanya, Bhattacharyya Ranjan, Pathak Himanshu, Paul Sangeeta, Krishna Hazra Kali
Published in Springer Science and Business Media LLC
2019
Volume: 89
   
Issue: 1
Pages: 123 - 135
Abstract

Changes in tillage regime from conventional tillage to zero tillage (ZT) call for efficient weed and N management. Nitrogen is subject to immobilization/mineralization under residue-laden ZT system and increasing N-use efficiency through scheduling/rationalization of N is a researchable issue. The authors investigated the N and weed management options for wheat under ZT with or without residue. Results showed that ZT + residue retention (R) + 75% N + GreenSeeker™ (GS)-aided N management (ZT + R+75N + GS) recorded significantly higher wheat yield (5.11 t ha−1) over CT − R + 100N (4.48 t ha−1). The ZT + R+75N + GS improved macro-aggregates by 25.3% and decreased micro-aggregates by 6.8% in surface soil than CT − R + 100N. Treatment ZT + R+75N + GS had highest labile C (~ 3.63 g C kg−1 soil), which was 24.7% higher than CT − R + 100N (2.91 g C kg−1 soil). This treatment resulted in highest microbial biomass C (148.6 µg g−1 soil). It showed a significant increment in fluorescein diacetate (by 30.9%), total phosphatase (by 63.2%) and urease (by 31.6%) activities in surface soil over CT − R + 100N. Optical sensor-based N management saved N to the tune of 15–20 kg ha−1 over CT − R + 100 N. The ZT with residue retention and GS-aided N management has greater potential to secure sustainable yield, better soil aggregation, labile C and soil micro-flora than CT without/with residue incorporation.

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PublisherData powered by TypesetSpringer Science and Business Media LLC
Open AccessNo