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The rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) dominates northwest India's agriculture due to favorable agroclimatic conditions, guaranteed minimum support prices and abundant irrigation. However, RWCS faces sustainability challenges due to resource depletion and environmental degradation. This study explores maize as an alternative to rice, owing to its lower water requirements and higher water productivity. Conducted at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, the experiment employed a randomized block design with eleven treatments, including various combinations of inorganic and organic nutrient management practices. Maize, mungbean, and wheat were sown and analyzed for grain yield, stover yield, and biological yield. Results showed significant yield improvements in treatments integrating organic amendments (e.g., poultry manure, Beejamrit and Jeevamrit) with recommended fertilizers. The highest yields were observed in the T10 treatment (100% RDF + 25% N from PM + Beejamrit ST + Jeevamrit spray), highlighting the synergistic effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources. This integrated approach not only enhances crop yields, but also improves soil health, suggesting a viable strategy for sustainable agriculture in northwest India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The research is based on the fertility status of the soil being affected year by year so here is a strategy to save the soil fertility level or soil health by the use of a leguminous cropping system. Methods: A study was conducted during 2018-2021 in the Meerut district of western Uttar Pradesh to evaluate the soil characterization of the rice - pea- sugarcane cropping system. The soil samples were analyzed for various parameters in the laboratory. The status of available NPK in soils and other soil properties like pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and organic carbon (OC) content were assessed. Result: Results reveal that the soils of the study area were neutral to strongly alkaline in reaction and non-saline in nature. Nutrient status regarding to the available nutrient in the surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) depth of soil indicate that soils are low in available N and medium in available P and K in surface and subsurface. A positive and significant correlation of NPK with organic matter content was found while significant and negative correlations exist between the soil pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted during 2011-12 and 2012-13 in CRC of SardarVallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. The soil of experimental site was low in organic carbon, available nitrogen, and medium in available phosphorus and potassium with slightly alkaline pH. Ten different treatments comprising application of different levels of vermicompost along with different levels of nitrogen and recommended levels of phosphorus and potassium were tested in a RBD with three replications. Rice variety PB-1 and wheat variety PBW-502 were grown during kharif and rabi seasons. Observations on growth parameters yield and yield attributing characters, nutrient content and physico-chemical properties of soil were recorded. % organic carbon, pH and electrical conductivity did not differ significantly under different treatments, although higher value for organic carbon and low pH were recorded with the application of vermicompost. Bulk density of soil after rice harvest 2011 remained unaffected under different treatments while after wheat harvest 2011-12, rice harvest 2012 and wheat harvest 2012-13a significant effect was observed. Vermicompost might have increased aeration in soil which can be attributed to improved soil texture resulting in higher crop yield. Thus, our study shows that higher doses of vermicompost significantly improved soil fertility and soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2 year field trial was conducted during kharif 2012 and 2013 to investigate fertigation and residue management on performance of direct seeded rice and soil biological health. To this effect ten treatments consisting irrigation techniques as a main plot (5) and residue management as a sub plot (2) were tested in a split plot design with three replication The soil of experimental field was alkaline in reaction, with 0.33 percent organic carbon, 180 kg ha-1 available nitrogen and 47 kg ha-1 available phosphorous and 346 kg ha-1 potassium. Hybrid rice variety Arize 6129 was sown as a test crop. Remarkable effect was noted where drip fertigation performed better by recording significantly higher plant height, tiller density, biomass production at 30 and 60 DAS and yield attributing characters than the combination of sprinkler system during both the years. Drip fertigation system did not differ significantly from flood RDF in these parameters. Grain, biological yield, N, P and K uptake by grain and straw was significantly higher with drip fertigation. MBC and MBN differ significantly and higher value was recorded with drip fertigation. Finally maximum grain and straw yield of rice statistically on par to flood RDF and significantly higher than the remaining combinations was found with drip fertigation. Drip fertigation yielded 24.9 to 28.09, 19.0 to 23.0, 10.7 to 14.0 and 3.2 to 7.00 percent higher than sprinkler RDF, sprinkler fertigation, drip RDF and flood RDF. A significant interaction effect of fertigation and residue management on grain yield of rice was found. Furthermore, growth parameters, yield attributing characters, grain and straw yield, grain and straw nutrient uptake, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), increased significantly with residue incorporation. Thus, the study reveal that drip irrigation coupled with fertilizer application could be option of precise nutrient and water management of direct seeded rice since it yielded more with higher benefit cost ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]