Effects of Tillage, Mulching and Site-Specific Nutrient Management on Soil Temperature, Flowering, Bulk Density and Soil Organic Carbon in Wheat

Abstract

The effects of tillage, mulching and site-specific nutrient management on soil temperature, flowering, bulk density, and soil organic carbon in wheat” studied during rabi,2021-22, at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The experiment with 24 treatment combinations was laid out in a split-plot design and replicated thrice. The main plot treatments included six different crop establishment methods (conventional tillage without residue, conventional tillage with residue incorporation, zero tillage without residue, zero tillage with residue, permanent raised bed without residue and permanent raised bed with residue retention and sub plot treatments consist of four nutrient management options (STBR, STBR+GS, NE and NE+GS based recommendation). PRB with residue retention has 1-2ºC soil temperature higher up to 70-75 DAS and started to decline after 75 DAS till harvest. Mulching protects the crop from winter and summer stress. Maximum soil organic carbon (SOC) values (0.39%) were noted under ZT+R, which was Higher compared to CT-R after harvest the crop. Soil bulk density (BD) under ZT+R (1.28 g/cm3) was lower as compared to rest of the treatments. Number of days required to 50% flowering was (83.6 DAS) and to 75% flowering was (88.2 DAS) in PRB+R which was on par with other treatments. it was concluded that the combination of maize straw mulch, zero tillage and permanent raised beds were proved fruitful in improving soil thermal properties and soil carbon sequestration.