Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Impact of Mechanized Crop Establishment Techniques on Growth, Yield, and Microbial Dynamics under Rice-Wheat Cropping System: A Review

Denil Unjia, Santosh Korav, Biswajyoti Banik, Aritra Guin

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science · pp. 410–419 · Published 9 May 2024

10.9734/ijpss/2024/v36i64643

Abstract

The rice-wheat cropping system, predominant across the Indo-Gangetic plains, generates a substantial volume of crop residue, with an annual yield of 7-9 tonnes per hectare of rice residue. Effective management of this residue, whether in-situ or ex-situ, has become an urgent necessity. However, the economic feasibility of transporting residue beyond 20 km from the field is limited. Consequently, in-field residue management through the adoption of specialized machinery has emerged as an imperative solution. The narrow window between paddy harvesting and wheat sowing, compounded by labor scarcity during peak periods, underscores the need for mechanized crop establishment techniques. Machines such as happy seeders, super seeders, turbo seeders, spatial drills, and seed-cum-fertilizer drills are crucial tools in this regard. This paper examines the benefits of mechanized crop establishment techniques on wheat growth, productivity, and soil biological health within the rice-wheat cropping system. These techniques have revolutionized agricultural practices by significantly influencing growth dynamics, yield parameters, and microbial ecology. The adoption of precision seed drills and mechanized tillage equipment has transformed traditional farming methods, facilitating efficient seed placement, soil preparation, residue incorporation, and weed management. This has resulted in improved crop growth parameters, enhanced yield dynamics, better root development, increased nutrient uptake, and overall plant vigor. Furthermore, reduced soil disturbance and decreased weed pressure associated with mechanized operations have created a conducive environment for beneficial microbial communities to thrive. The integration of mechanized crop establishment techniques has a positive impact on both crop productivity and sustainability, highlighting their importance in modern agricultural practices within the rice-wheat cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Soil microbial activity productivity happy seeder turbo seeder dry matter accumulation

References (20)

  1. 1 A history of research on the link between (micro)aggregates, soil biota, and soil organic matter dynamics [DOI]
  2. 2 Soil health and sustainability: managing the biotic component of soil quality [DOI]
  3. 3 Emission of Air Pollutants from Crop Residue Burning in India [DOI]
  4. 4 Zero tillage impacts in India's rice–wheat systems: A review [DOI]
  5. 5 Effects of Residue Decomposition on Productivity and Soil Fertility in Rice–Wheat Rotation [DOI]
  6. 6 The Happy Seeder enables direct drilling of wheat into rice stubble [DOI]
  7. 7 Subsoiling improves soil physical and microbial properties, and increases yield of winter wheat in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China [DOI]
  8. 8 Exploring the best tillage option in rice based diversified cropping systems in alluvial soil of eastern India [DOI]
  9. 9 Medium-term impact of tillage and residue retention on soil physical and biological properties in dry-seeded rice–wheat system in north-west India [DOI]
  10. 10 Tillage in Combination with Rice Straw Retention in a Rice–Wheat System Improves the Productivity and Quality of Wheat Grain through Improving the Soil Physio-Chemical Properties [DOI]
  11. 11 Water dynamics, productivity and heat use efficiency responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum) to land configuration techniques and irrigation schedules [DOI]
  12. 12 Influence of irrigation and tillage management on growth, yield and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Gangetic plains in West Bengal [DOI]
  13. 13 Minimum-tillage, mechanized sowing of pulses with two-wheel tractors
  14. 14 Effect of precision land leveling and permanent raised bed planting on soil properties, input use efficiency, productivity and profitability under maize (Zea mays) – wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system [DOI]
  15. 15 Effect of Irrigation Levels on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Wheat [DOI]
  16. 16 Influence of Tillage and Mulch on Soil Physical Properties and Wheat Yield in Rice-Wheat System
  17. 17 Alleviating moisture stress under irrigation scheduling and crop establishment techniques on productivity and profitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under semi-arid conditions of western India [DOI]
  18. 18 Effects of Mulching on Growth and Yield Components of Selected Varieties of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) under Field Condition [DOI]
  19. 19 Growth and yield of wheat as affected by tillage practices, seed priming and nutrient management under rain fed conditions [DOI]
  20. 20 COMBINED EFFECT OF TILLAGE AND SOWING METHODS ON RICE-WHEAT PRODUCTIVITY [DOI]

Cited by 2

Modeling rice productivity clustering with random forest: implications of regency agribusiness in 1986–2023

Ali Asgar, Andjar Prasetyo, Henky Henanto · Frontiers in Agronomy · 2026

Evaluating wheat genotypes x residue management interaction and its implications on yield

Manbir Kaur Josan, Jagroop Kaur, Puja Srivastava · Cereal Research Communications · 2024

Related research

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

0

Page views

0

PDF downloads

0

Outbound clicks

2

Citations

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

No views recorded yet.

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

No traffic recorded yet.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.