Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil

Indian 1. Soil Cons., 36 (2) : 97-104, 2008

Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil physical and hydraulic properties in rice-wheat crop sequence in N-W Himalayas Ani! K. Choudharyl, R.c. Thakur and Naveen Kumar

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Department o/Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya. Palampur (HP) - 176062 India ABSTRACT: A field experiment was conducted at CSK HPKV, Palampur (HP) f()r two years in a silty clay loam soil from rabi 1999-2000 to khari/200 I under irrigated conditions in a randomized block design replicated thrice with five sources of organic manures and three fertilizer levels (50, 100 and 150 % of recommended NPK) in wheat along with one absolute control while rice was grown with 100 per cent of recommended NPK fertilizers except absolute control to study the residual effect of integrated nutrient management ofpreceding wheat crop on soil physical and hydraulic properties and yield ofsucceeding rice. Various organic manures and increasing levels of fertilizer application significantly improved the yield of wheat and rice. Application of various organic manures in wheat resulted in reduction of bulk density ofthe soil over initial value. In general, bulk density was quite lower in FYM supplied plots and higher in berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) green manured plots. There was a significant improvement in soil physical properties like soil moisture content after harvest of each crop, soil water retention and plant available water capacity (PAWC), saturated hydraulic conductivity at various crop growth stages when FYM was applied @ 10 t ha- I to wheat followed by berseem green manuring + FYM, mushroom spent compost + FYM, mushroom spent compost and berseem green manuring, respectively. Increase in fertility levels from 50 to 150 % of recommended NPK supplied to wheat crop resulted in decline in bulk density of the soil in each crop, A significant improvement in soil moisture content at harvest of both wheat and rice; soil water retention at different suction values as well as PAWC during experimentation was observed with increase in fertilizer levels. In the present study, integrated use of FYM @ lOt ha-I alone or in combination with other locally available organics alongwith 150% of recommended NPK in wheat and 100 % of recommended NPK in rice improved the productivity, soil physical properties as well as soil hydraulic properties in wheat-rice crop sequence in N-W Himalayas. Key words: Chemical fertilizers; Organic manures; Rice-Wheat; Soil physical and hydraulic properties.

Rice-wheat cropping system occupies about 22 million ha area in Northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China. In India, it covers about 10 million hectares area and contributes to 22 per cent of total national foodgrain production (Sharma, 2005). Sole use of chemical fertilizers in India in rice-wheat cropping system, has caused soil physical degradation, which is often associated with a decline in organic matter content besides loss of soil fertility due to nutrient imbalances. Simultaneously, the poor economic conditions of hill farmers ofN-W Himalayas as well as high price ofchemical fertilizers discourage them to meet out the nutritional requirements of these crops fully through chemical fertilizers. Addition of organic matter through organics affects crop growth and yield, either directly by supplying nutrients, or indirectly by modifying soil physical properties that can improve the root environment and stimulate plant growth (Kononova, 199 I). Thus, for realization ofhigher yields from rice-wheat cropping system on sustainable basis in the present scenario,judicious

blending of organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients is essential. In mid hill conditions ofN-W Himalayas, most of the FYM is generally added in the wheat crop following rice to improve the soil physical properties disturbed due to wet tillage in preceding rice crop. This wet tillage brings about significant changes, especially, in physical properties of soil including structural, hydraul ic and mechanical properties (Lav Bhushan, 1998). Such changes, although are favourable for rice crop but are not suitable for the following wheat crop. Use ofFYM may alter this effect to some extent but it may not be possible to make sufficient quantity ofFYM available. Hence, there is a dire need for alternative sources of organic manures. The best bet could be growing some legume crop in situ in between the harvest of preceding rice crop and sowing of succeeding wheat crop. Growing ofberseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), a fodder crop, in standing rice crop by broadcasting it in mid

ISMS, KVK, Sundernagar (HPj .. 'Former Director Research, CSK, HPKV, Palampur (lfP)

98

Indian J. Soil Cons., Vol. 36 No.2

September when rice crop starts maturing, is a common practice

size both in wheat and rice was kept ]6.20 m 2 though

in rice growing region of mid Himalayas. This practice has great potential in harnessing the benefits of Berseem legume

respective net plot size was 11.20 m 2 and 10.92 m 2 • Soil pH,

as green manure in the wheat crop without loosing a crop.

organic carbon, total nitrogen and available N, P and Kin soil samples were worked out by standard procedures. On

Mushroom spent compost is another source of plant nutrition

the basis of chemical analysis, the soil was categorized as

easily available in mid Himalayan region because of increased

medium in organic carbon (0.80 per cent), total N (0.113 per

cultivation of button mushrooms by the hill farmers of the

cent), available nitrogen (284.3 kg ha"), available phosphorus (18.9 kg ha"), high in available potassium (249.5

region. Little work has been done to study the effect of

kg ha· l ) and acidic in reaction (5.6). All organics were analyzed for their chemical composition with respect to N,

addition of organics and chemical fertilizers in wheat on

P and K, and then added as per the organic manure

productivity of succeeding rice crop and impact ofINM on

treatments on dry weight basis during both the years of

soil physical and soil hydraulic properties. Therefore,

experimentation (Table I). Organic matter addition through

present investigation was undertaken to study the effect

organics to the soil is presented in Table 2.

of INM on crop productivity and soil physical as well as

Table I. Nutrient additions (kg ha") in soil through organic manure

soil hydraulic properties in wheat-rice crop sequence in NDownloaded From IP - 14.139.224.82 on dated 25-Jan-2014



W Himalayas.

trealments during rabi 1999-2000 and rabi 2000-2001 Treatments

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OM, OM,

A field experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm ofCSK HPKV, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh (32 6'N,76 3' E,

OM, OM. OM,

Rabi 1999-2000 N P K 80 24 103 33 14 32 14 2 11 80 26 98 80 22 96

Rabi 2000-200 I N P K 83 28 95 33 14 32 17 3 13 83 29 92 83 25 89

1291 m above mean sea level) to study the effect of INM on crop productivity and soil physical as well as soil hydraulic

Table 2. Treatment wise organic manure additions (t ha") after chemical analysis on fresh and dry weight basis during rabi 1999-2000

properties in wheat-rice crop sequence in a silty-clay loam

and rabi 2000-2001

soil (Alfisol, Typic Hapludalf) from rabi 1999-2000 to kharif

Treatments

200] under randomized block design replicated thrice with five sources of organic manures (aM, - FYM @ lOt ha" on oven dry weight basis; OM 2 - mushroom spent compost @ 10 t ha"on oven dry weight basis; OM 3 - berseem in situ green manure; OM 4

-

mushroom spent compost @ 5 t ha"on oven

dry weight basis FYM to supply remaining N equivalent to aM, on oven dry weight basis; and OMS - berseem in situ green manure + FYM to supply remaining N equivalent to

Rabi 1999-2000

Rabi 2000-2001

Dry

Fresh

Dry

Fresh

weight

weight

weight

weight

basis

basis

FYM (OM,)

basis

10.0

16.6

10.0

17.1

Mushroom spent compost

10.0

13.3

10.0

13.5

0.7

1.9

0.8

2.1

(OM,) Berseem 'OM' (OM,) Mushroom spent compost+ FYM (OM.)

aMI on oven dry weight basis) and three fertilizer levels (50,

(i) Mushroom spent compost

5.0

6.6

5.0

6.8

100 and 150 % ofrecommended NPK) in wheat along with one

(ii) FYM

7.9

13.2

8.0

13.7

absolute control. Rice was grown with 100 % ofrecommended NPK fertilizers (90 kg N +40 kg PPI +40 kg Kp perha) except control to study the residual effects oflNM of preceding crop on productivity of rice.

Berseem 'OM' + FYM (OM,) (i) Berseem 'OM'

0.7

1.9

0.8

2.1

(ii) FYM

8.3

13.7

8.0

13.6

After the harvest of each crop, bulk density from 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths was determined by using standard

Recommended fertilizer dose for wheat was 120 kg

core method (Black, 1965). Bulk density was determined from

N + 60 kg P 20, + 30 kg K 20 per ha. Urea, single super

two spots from each plot at both the depths. Initial bulk density

phosphate and muriate of potash were used as sources of

in 0-15 and] 5-30 cm soil layers was] .392 and 1.441 g cm· 3,

nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively. The

respectively. The soil water retention was determined at 0,33 and 1500 kPa matric suction using pressure plate apparatus (Soil Moisture Equipment Co., Santa Barbara, USA). Soil water

varieties used for field experimentation were HPW-89

(wheat) and RP-2421 (rice), respectively. The gross plot

Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil physical and hydraulic properties in rice wheat crop

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

retention was determined in the second year of experimentation Le. after harvest of wheat crop in rabi 20002001 and rice crop in kharif2001. Soil core samples, 3.0 cm

I. Productivity ofwheat-rice cropping sequence

15 cm soil depth from each plot to determine the soil water

Direct application of various organic manures significantly improved the wheat productivity with

retention on mass basis. To determine the soil water retention

significantly highest grain yield (45.24 q ha- I ) in FYM supplied

on volume basis, the respective soil water retention values on mass basis were multiplied by the corresponding bulk density

plots@ lOt ha· 1 (aMI) followed by green manuringofberseem

values ofthe same plot. Initial soil moisture retention on mass

mushroom spent compost (OM 2) and berseem green manure (OM J ), respectively during both the years (Table 3). It was

long and 5,4 cm in diameter were collected in triplicate from 0-

+ FYM (aMI)' mushroom spent compost + FYM (OM 4 ),



and volume basis at 0,33 and 1500 kPa suction was 38.65,


99

observed that grain yield of both wheat and rice crops was

30.82,17.5 I, and 53.72,42.84 and 24.34 percent, respectively. Plant available water capacity (PAWC) was determined on

significantly higher in plots receiving FYM @ lOt ha- I

mass and volume basis from the corresponding soil water

followed by berseem green manuring + FYM, mushroom spent

retention values of the treatments in the second year of

compost + FYM, mushroom spent compost and berseem green

experimentation i.e. after harvest of wheat (rabi 2000-200 I)

manuring, respectively. However, grain yield of rice during

and rice crops (kharif 200 1). Initial plant available water

kharif2000 was higher in plots supplied with mushroom spent compost + FYM over berseem green manuring + FYM supplied

capacity on mass and volume basis was 13.31 and 18.50 per cent, respectively. PA we was computed by subtracting

plots because of higher residual fertility. These results are in

moisture (%) retained at field capacity (33 kPa) and permanent

close conformity with those of Verma and Dixit (1989) and

wilting point (1500kPa suction).

Sharma (I 992).

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) was determined

Increase in fertility levels from 50 to 150 % of

in the second year of experimentation i.e. after the harvest of

recommended NPK in wheat crop resulted in consistent and

wheat crop (rabi 2000-2001), after one month of rice

significant increase in the wheat productivity during both the

transplanting (khar!l 2001) and in the end of the experimentation i.e. after rice crop harvest (kharif200 I). Ks

years due to direct as well as residual effects ofNPK fertilizers with significantly highest grain yield (44.91 and 46.27 q ha- I )

was determined by constant water head method of Klute (1965).

during 1999-2000 and 2000-200 I, respectively. Similar trend

Undisturbed soil cores were collected in triplicate from each

was also observed with respect to grain yield of rice crop on

plot in metal cores of I 5 cm length and 10 cm diameter. Initial

account of the residual effect of fertility levels imposed in

Saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil was 3.12 x 10-6

previous wheat crop (Table 1). Increase in rice grain yield

ms-l. Statistical analysis was done by the standard procedures

with 100 and 150 % of recommended NPK over 50 % of

suggested by Gomez and Gomez (1984).

recommended NPK was to the tune of 4.28 and 9.57 per cent

Table 3. Effect of integrated nutrient management on crop productivity (grain yield, q ha-') of wheat-rice crop sequence Rice grain yield (q ha-')

Wheat grain yield (q ha-')

Treatments 1999-2000

2000-200 I

Pooled

2000

2001

Pooled

44.75 38.96

45.72 41.16 36.74

45.24 40.06

44.66 43.16 41.20

47.46 46.50

46.06 4483

45.21

44.27

46.78

43.20 45.52

Organic manures OM, OM, OM, OM, OM, CD (P=0.05)

41.76

36.04 41.31

42.45

42.86

42.65

43.21

46.99

45.10

0.82

083

0.57

0.47

0.23

0.26

35.03

35.34

35.19

41.39

43.90

42.64

46.84

45.00

35.35 40.86

Chemical fertilizers F~,

43.33 46.27

42.40

F,",

41.48 44.91

43.16

45.59

45.35

49.03

47.71

CD (P=0.05)

0.63

0.64

0.44

0.36

0.18

0.20

18.87

13.21

16.04

18.94

11.96

15.45

FIOO

Control vs others Control


100

during kharif2000, and 6.70 and I 1.69 per cent during kharif 2001, respectively. Shanna (1992) and Gurung and Sherchan (1993) have also observed similar results in rice-wheat cropping

with the addition of any of the organic manures applied to each wheat crop. However after second wheat and rice harvest, there was significant variation in bulk density in 0-15 cm soil

system with variable fertilizer levels.

depth. On an average, bulk density was lowest in FYM applied

Soil physical properties

plots followed in increasing order by berseem GM + FYM, mushroom compost + FYM and mushroom compost, and quite

Bulk density

high in berseem green manured plots. It is evident from Table

Bulk density of the soil decreased after upland crop of

2 that various organic manure treatments added variable

wheat compared to control and initial value but again increased

amounts of organic matter. In general, FYM is rich in organic

following a low land crop ofrice due to puddling in rice (Table

matter as compared to mushroom spent compost. Similarly,

4). It is evident that bulk density did not vary significantly in

berseem green manuring added quite low amount of organic

0-15 cm soil depth during first year and in 15-30 cm soil depth

matter in the soil. More is the organic matter in the soil; less

during both the years after harvest of wheat and rice crops,

would be the bulk density because organic matter helps in

Table 4. Effect of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on bulk density (g cm'3) and soil moisture content ("/0) on weight basis in 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil layers at the harvest of wheat and rice.




Treatments

Rice (2000)

Wheat (1999-2000) 0-15 em

15-30 em

0-15 em

Wheat (2000-2001)

15-30 em 0-15 em Bulk density (g em")

15-30 em

Rice (2001) 0-15 em

15-30 em

1.440

Organic manures OM I

1.317

1.430

1.312

1.430

1.383

1.320

1.432

1.386 1.387

1.441

OM, OM,

1.442

1.314

1.431

1.388

1.441

1.323

1.433

1.392

1.443

1.322

1.431

1.390

1.442

OM,

1.322

1.430

1.389

1.441

1.317

1.430

1.384

1.440

OMs CD (P = 0.05)

1.318

1.430

1.386

1.440

1.312

1.430

1.382

1.440

NS

NS

NS

NS

0.006

NS

0.005

NS

Chemical fertilizers

F'I

1.323

1.433

1.391

1.443

1.317

1.431

1.387

1.441

FIOO

1.321

1.431

1.441

1.431

1.440

0.005

NS

0.004

NS

NS

1.430 NS

1.385 1.384

1.441

1.316

1.315 1.314

1.431

F15lJ CD (P = 0.05)

1.387 1.385

NS

NS

1.440

Control vs others Control Others mean

1.343

1.440

1.403 1.388

1.347 1.316

1.407

1.431

1.450 1.442

1.443

1.320

1.430

1.386

1.450 1.441

CD (P = 0.05)

0.007

0.003

0.006

0.004

0.007

0.003

0.006

0.003

Soil moisture content (%) on mass basis Organic manures OM,

17.24

23.49

17.22

24.24

17.69

22.89

19.64

24.36

OM, OM,

16.70

23.43

17.20

24.16

16.96

22.93

19.54

24.27

15.78

23.18

16.71

24.09

16.01

22.82

18.67

24.24

OM,

17.11

23.33

17.27

24.19

17.54

22.89

19.49

24.27

OM; CD (P = 0.05)

17.20

23.26

17.21

24.21

17.66

23.04

1909

24.26

0.09

0.10

0.11

0.10

0.16

NS

0.22

NS


F.,

16.11

23.21

16.46

24.10

16.41

22.68

18.47

24.18

FIOO

16.73

17.03

24.19

17.24

22.98

19.37

24.30

F",

17.58

23.38 23.42

17.87

24.24

0.08

0.08

0.08

23.09 0.11

24.35

0.07

17.86 0.12

20.01

CD (P = 0.05)

0.17

0.06

Control Others mean

15.03 16.81

22.73 23.34

15.37

23.80 24.18

1537

17.12

17.17

22.33 22.92

17.30 19.29

23.93 24.28

CD (P = 0.05)

0.12

0.13

0.13

0.13

0.20

0.18

0.27

0.10

Control vs others

EITcct of integrated nutrient management on soil physical and hydraulic properties in rice wheat crop

improving the soil structure and soil aggregation resulting in reduction in bulk density. A close relationship exists between

101

soil organic matter content, microbial population and soil

study the bulk density did not change to any appreciable extent with increasing levels offertilization though there was a negligible decrease in bulk density with increasing levels of

awegation (Bhardwaj and Patil, 1982). The soil organic matter being acted upon by the microorganisms might have resulted

fertilizers which may be attributed to possible increased root biomass additions at higher fertility levels (Table 4).

in considerable increase in polysaccharides and microbial gum synthesis in soil. These microbial decomposition products

Soil moisture content

being resistant to further decomposition have been reported to act as soil particle binding agents (Dhoot et al. 1974) and

Soil moisture content determined at harvest of each

thereby help in soil aggregation. Therefore, bulk density of

crop during experimentation in 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depths (Table 4) varied significantly among different organic manures

soil was lower in FYM applied plots and highest in berseem green manured plots. These findings are in conformity to

and followed the similar trend as that of soil water retention (Table 5) with the addition of various organics being

several earlier reports (Bhagat and Verma 1991; Thakur et al.

significantly highest in plots receiving FYM and lowest in

~vident that

berseem green manured plots though the values were quite

1995). Further, it is also

during both the years of




Table 5, Effect of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on soil water retention ("/0) and PA we (%) on mass and volume basis in 0-15 em soil layer at 0, 33 and 1500 kPa suction after the harvest of second wheat (rabi 2000-2001) and at the end of experimentation (kharif 2001) Treatments

o kPa

Weight basis 33 kPa 1500 kPa

PAWC

o kPa

Volume basis 33 kPa 1500 kPa

PAWC

After the harvest of second wheat (rabi 2000-200 I) Organic manures OM, OM, OM, OM, OM, CD (P = 0,05) Chemical fertilizers

45,46 45,14 44,82 45,25 45,36 0,06

30.04 29.96 29,84 30,00 30,03 0,04

17,81 17.74 17,81 17,81 17,81 0,03

12.23 12,22 12,04 12,19 12,22 0,03

59,65 59,34 59,26 59,58

F..

45,00

F"" FI~I

45.21 45,41 0.04

29,87 29,99 30,07 0.03

17,78 17,80 17.81

12,09 12.20 12.26 0,03

28,87 29,98 0,05

16,90

II. 97 12,18

CD (P = 0.05) Control vs others Control Others mean CD (P = 0,05) Organic manures OM I OM, OM, OM, OM, CD (P = 0.05) Chemical fer~i1 izcrs F~, FilM)

F",

CD (P = 0,05) Control vs others Control Others mean CD (P = 0.05)

43.80 45,21 0.07

39,25 38,78 38,18 39,20 39,06 0,05 38,68 38.90 39,10 0,04 36.98 38,89 0,06

30,91 30,61 30.59 30,90 30,87 0.04 30.77 30.78 30,77

NS

17.79 0,04

NS

23,36 23.32 23,54 23.45 23,37 0, II

16,06 16,07 15.91 16,05 16,04 0,10

59,29 59.46 59.67 0.21

39,35 39.45 39,51

23.43 23.41 23.40

NS

NS

15,92 16,04 16,11 0,08

58,99 59.47 0,35

38,88

22.76 23.41 0,13

16,12 16,03

42,76

24.17 24,06 24,08 24,17 24,13

NS

18,59 18.41 18.44 18,61 18,54 0.08

59.52 0,27

0.04 At the end of experimentation (kharif 2001)

39.42 ' 39,39 39.46 39.49 39.41

39.43 0.25

NS

17.47 17.34 17,32 17,46 17.46 0.02

13.44 13,27 13,26 13.44 13.41 0,03

54,29 53,82

17,44

13,33 13,37 13.40 0.02

53,66 53,90 54, II 0,16

42,69 42,64 42.59

24.20 24,12 24,05

18.49 18,52 18,54

NS

0.07

NS

12,95 13,36 0,04

52.02 53.89 0,26

42.05 42.64 0,21

23.84 24.12 0.11

18.21 18,52

NS

17.41 17,38 0,02

29,89

16,95

30.77 0.05

17.41 0,02

53.07 54.27 53,98 0,20

42.48 42,51 42,78 42.67 0,17

0.11




102

Indian J. Soil Cons., Vol.36 No.2

higher than absolute control. Addition of organic manures

properties (Lav Bhushan, 1998). The heavy organic matter

improves the organic matter content of the soil, which improves the water holding capacity of soil and thus reduces

addition through various organics also reduced the soil bulk density (Table 4) in the present study. Generally, the water

evaporation losses (Lav Bhushan, 1998). The increased soil

holding capacity oforganic matter is very high (Jamison, 1953).

water retention because of addition of organics might have also been a reason to improve the soil moisture content in the

When added to soil, it increased the water retention capacity of soils. Thus, cumulative effect of above described factors

soil. These results are in close association to those obtained by Kumar (1996).

might have influenced the soil water retention at different suction values.

Soil moisture content determined in 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depths after harvest of each crop revealed that increase

The plant available water capacity (PAWC) was lower in berseem green manured plots over other organic manures

in fe.rtilizer levels from 50 to 150 % of recommended NPK

all of which exhibited statistically similar PA WC when

significantly improved the soil moisture content while soil

expressed on mass and volume basis (Table 5). In general,

moisture content were lowest in absolute control at each

FYM alone or in combination with mushroom compost and

observation (Table 4). The increase in fertility levels resulted

berseem green manuring exhibited higher PAWC followed by

in high root biomass additions to soils and reduction in bulk

mushroom compost and berseem green manuring,

density due to which soil water retention might have got

respectively. Since, PAWC is computed as the difference in

improved. Consequently, the soil moisture content in soil also

soil water content at 33 and 1500 kPa suction, thus, like soil

got improved at harvest of each crop with each increment in

water retention, PA WC was also significantly influenced by

fertility levels.

the organic manure treatments in the similar fashion. Similar results have also been reported by several workers (Bhagat

Soil hydraulic properties Soil water retention and water availability Table 5 reveal that soil water retention at all suction values (0, 33 and 1500 kPa) when expressed on mass and volume basis, varied significantly among various organic manure treatments but was found higher over initial value and absolute control when determined after harvest of second wheat (rabi 2000-200 I) and at the end of experimentation i.e. at harvest of second rice (khari( 200 I). In general, FYM application @ lOt ha- ' exhibited significantly higher soil water retention at both the observations followed by mushroom compost + FYM, berseem GM + FYM, mushroom compost and berseem green manuring, respectively on mass basis at all suction values and on volume basis at saturation (0 kPa). However, on volume basis, berseem green manuring retained almost equal soil water as by any other organic manure at 33 and 1500 kPa suction. FYM alone or in combination with mushroom compost or berseem green manuring exhibited higher values of soil water retention than mushroom compost and berseem green manuring at different suction values. Water retention capacity of soils depends primarily on the number and size distribution of soil pores and the specific surface area of soils. At lower suction values, pore size distribution affects soil water retention, while it is specific surface area of soil constituents which affects soil water retention at higher values. The organic matter addition affects both these soil

and Verma 199 I; Bhagat et af. 1994 and Lav Shushan 1998). Soil water retention at all suction values (0, 33 and 1500 kPa) when expressed on mass basis and volume basis, increased progressively with increase in fertilizer levels from 50 to 150 per cent of recommended NPK at the harvest of second wheat (rabi 2000-2001), except at 1500 kPa suction where the trend was reversed when soil water retention was expressed on volume basis. At the end of experimentation (kharif200 I), soil water retention at saturation (0 kPa) increased with increasing fertilizer levels upto 150 % of recommended NPK on mass and volume basis but at 33 and 1500 kPa, it decreased with increasing fertilizer levels (Table 5). The addition oforganic matter to fertilized plots through increased root biomass at higher fertility levels might have altered the above mentioned soil properties in favour ofretention ofwater. Simultaneously a reduction in bulk density (Table 4), increased soil pores favourable for water retention and specific surface area ofsoils might have been the reasons for improved soil water retention in fertilized plots (Table 5). The plant available water capacity (PAWC) increased with increase in fertilizer application from 50 to 150 % of recommended NPK, when expressed on mass and volume-basis (Table 5). This may be attributed to decrease in soil bulk density and build up of organic matter in high fertility plots. Many studies have shown positive correlation between PAWC and soil organic

Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil physical and hydraulic properties in rice wheat crop

matter content (Epstien et al. 1976; Gupta and Larson 1979; De Kimpe et al. 1982). Saturated hydraulic conductivity Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) determined at second wheat harvest (Rabi 2000-200 I), at 30 DAT ofsecond rice and at second rice harvest (kharif200 I) was significantly influenced by the addition of various organic manures being significantly higher in plots supplied with FYM @ 10 t ha- I

closely related to the pore size distribution. In the present study also, the increase in Ks was associated with the increase in water transmission pores due to organic matter addition in fertilized plots as well as high root biomass additions due to higher fertility. The present study suggests that soil physical and soil hydraulic properties (bulk density, soil moisture content, soil water retention, plant available water capacity and saturated

organic matter added through different organic manures (Table


of second wheat, after 30 DAT of second rice crop and at second rice harvest. The water transmission through soil is

+ FYM, mushroom compost and berseem green manuring,

2). Generally, the Ks values were higher after wheat harvest


saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) determined after harvest

(Table 6) followed by berseem GM + FYM, mushroom compost respectively which may be attributed to variable amounts of


103

hydraulic conductivity) got improved with the application of various organic manures and increasing chemical fertilizer

Table 6. Effect oforganic manures and chemical fertilizers on saturated

levels from 50 to 150 % of recommended NPK in wheat - rice

hydraulic conductivity (Ks) at different crop seasons in 0-15 cm soil layer

cropping sequence. It is further inferred that integrated use of FYM @ lOt ha-I alone or in combination with other locally available organics alongwith 150 % ofrecommended NPK in

Treatments

At second wheat At 30 DAT of harvest

second rice

(rabi 2000-200 I) (kharif 200 I)

At second rice harvest

(kharif 200 I)

wheat and 100 % of recommended NPK in rice can playa key role for improving crop productivity, soil physical properties and soil hydraulic properties in wheat-rice sequence in N-W

Organic manures

Himalayas.

OM,

18.65

I.IJ

3.81

OM,

1838

I. I I

3.70

OM,

18.04

1.05

3.68

OM,

18.53

1.13

3.77

OM,

18.59

1.13

3.81

0.07

0.009

0.018

on soil physical properties and wheat yield. Soil Science. 152 :

F,,, F,,,,

18.30

1.11

3.73

Bhagat, R.M .. Sharma. P.K. and Verma, T.S. 1994. Tillage and residue

18.45

1.11

3.76

management effects on soil physical properties and rice yield

F""

1857

1.12

3.78

in North-Western Himalayan soils. Soil and Tillage Res. 29 :

0.05

0.007

0.014

323-334.

Control

15.54

0.95

2.65

Others mean

18.44

1.11

3.75

008

0.011

0023

CD (P

= 0.05)


CD (P

= 0.05)

= 0.05)

Bhagat, R.M. and Verma, T.S. 1991. Effect of rice straw management 108-115.

Control vs others

CD (P

REFERENCES

Bhardwaj, K.K.R. and Patil, R.B. 1982. Microbial recycling of organic

compared to that obtained at 30 DAT and at rice harvest which may be attributed to compaction caused by puddling process (Saroch and Thakur, 1991; Thakur et al. 1995) resulting in

matter. In : Proceedings of 12'· International Congress of SOil Science. New Delhi, India, Part-I; pp. 258-268. Black, C.A. 1965. Methods of Soil Analysis. Part-II. American Society of Agronomy, Wisconsin, USA; 1572 p. De Kimpe. C.R., Bernie-Cardon, M. and Jolicoeur, P. 1982. Compaction and settling of Quebec soils in relation to their soil-water properties. Can. J Soil Sci. I : 165-175.

reduced 'water transmission. The addition oforganic manures

Dhoot, J.S., Singh, NT. and Brar, S.S. 1974. Polysaccharides in Telation

improves the soil structure and thus reduced bulk density

to soil aggregation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. J

(Table 4) resulting in increased water transmission pores of soil (Lav Shushan 1998) which might have been the reasons to influence the Ks values at different stages of observation. The similar results were also obtained by Shagat and Verma (1991) and Lav Shushan (1998).

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Table 6 reveals that increase in fertilizer levels from 50

Gupta, S.c. and Larson, WE 1979. Estimation of soil water retention

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characteristics from particle size distribution, organic matter


104

and bulk density. Water Resour. Res. 15 : 1633-1635. Gurung, G.B. and Sherchan, D.P. 1993. Study on the effects of long

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cropping pattern. PAC-Working paper. Pakhribas Agricultural

rice yield and physico-chemical properties of soils. Soil and

Jamison, V.C. 1953. Changes in air-water relationship due to structural improvement of soil. Soil Science. 76 : 143-151. Klute, c.J. 1965. Laboratory measurement of hydraulic conductivity of saturatcd soil. In : Methods of Soil Analysis. C.A. Black (Ed.)


Part I; pp. 21 0-220.


with long-term additions of Lantana camara biomass in rice-

term application of compost and chemical fertilizers on crop

Centre, Dhankuta, Kathmandu, Nepal. No. 87; 6 p.


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Tillage Res. 21: 147-152. Sharma, G.D. 1992. Fertility management and crop geometry for yield maximization in rice-wheat cropping system. Ph.D. Thesis. submitted to HPKV, Palampur (HP). Sharma, S.N. 2005. Integrated nutrient management in rice-wheat cropping system. Fert. News. 50(2) : 53-71.

Kononova, M.M. 1991. Soil organic matter. Its nature and its role in

Thakur, R.C., Bindra, A.D., Sood, R.D. and Bhargava, M. 1995. Effect

soil formation and in soil fertility. USSR Academy of Soil Science. Pergamon Press, New York, USA. Kumar, R. 1996. Studies on yield maximization and economization of inputs through organic manuring and fertilizer scheduling in rainfcd maize-wheat system. Ph.D. Thesis. submitted to HPKV, Palampur (HP).

of fertilizer application and green manuring on physico-chemical properties of soil and grain yield of rice-wheat crop sequence. Indian 1. Agron. 40(1) : 4-13. Verma, T.S. and Dixit, S.P. 1989. Paddy straw Management in wheatpaddy cropping system in North-West Himalayan soils. Oryza. 26 (1-2) : 48-60.

Received: June 2007; Revised: April 2008; Rerevised : June 2008; Accepted: August 2008