Tillage effect on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and crop yield in spring wheat-field pea rotation
This research was conducted to assess the influence of long-term tillage system on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, root biomass and crop yield in spring wheat-field pea rotation fields in a rainfed semi-arid environment from 2013 through 2015. The treatments were; conventional tillage...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
2016-06-01
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| Series: | Plant, Soil and Environment |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-201606-0007_tillage-effect-on-soil-organic-carbon-microbial-biomass-carbon-and-crop-yield-in-spring-wheat-field-pea-rotati.php |
| Summary: | This research was conducted to assess the influence of long-term tillage system on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, root biomass and crop yield in spring wheat-field pea rotation fields in a rainfed semi-arid environment from 2013 through 2015. The treatments were; conventional tillage with stubble removed (T); no-till with stubble removed (NT); no-till with stubble retained (NTS) and conventional tillage with stubble incorporated (TS) arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. The soil organic carbon in NTS increased by 16% and 14% over T and NT. Compared with the T and NT, NTS increased soil microbial biomass carbon by 42% and 38% in 0-30 cm depth, respectively. Root biomass was significantly increased in NTS by 47% and 54% over T and NT, respectively. Across the three years, NTS had an average grain yield of 53% and 41% higher than T and NT, respectively. Compared with NTS, T and NT decreased root biomass by 54% and 48%, respectively. In view of the limited and erratic biomass production in this region, integration of no-till with straw mulching is recommended for soil fertility improvement, environmental quality and sustainable crop production. |
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| ISSN: | 1214-1178 1805-9368 |