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Sharma, K. L.

Carbon Stocks in Major Soil Types and Land-use Systems in Semiarid Tropical Region of Southern India

Abstract Views :220 | PDF Views:95

Authors

K. Venkanna ¹, Uttam Kumar Mandal ¹, A. J. Solomon Raju ², K. L. Sharma ¹, Ravikant V. Adake ¹, Pushpanjali ¹, B. Sanjeeva Reddy ¹, Rahul N. Masane ¹, K. Venkatravamma ¹, B. Peda Babu ¹

Affiliations
1 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN
2 Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Canning Town, South 24-Parganas 743 329, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 106, No 4 (2014), Pagination: 604-611

Abstract

The present study was conducted to study the soil organic and inorganic carbon stocks under different land-use systems in Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh, representing semiarid tropical region of India. Results indicated that Vertisols and associated soils contained greater total C stocks, followed by Inceptisols and Alfisols. The soil organic carbon (SOC) stock was highest in Alfisols (52.84 Mg ha^-1) followed by Inceptisols (51.26 Mg ha^-1) and Vertisols and associated soils (49.33 Mg ha^-1), whereas soil inorganic carbon (SIC) stock was highest in Vertisols and associated soil (22.9 Mg ha^-1) followed by Inceptisols (17.5 Mg ha^-1) and Alfisols (12.4 Mg ha^-1). Among the different land-use systems, total C stock was highest in forest soils followed by fodder system, paddy, maize, cotton, redgram, intercrop, chilli, pe rmanent fallow and lowest in castor system. Soil nitrogen also followed similar trend as SOC stock. Significant correlation (P < 0.05) was obtained between SOC stock and soil nitrogen with Mandal-wise annual rainfall. A surface map of soil C stock and soil N was prepared for Warangal district using kriging interpolation techniques and total C stock was estimated to 0.088 Pg out of which SOC stock was 77% and SIC stock was 23% for the district. A relationship was established between Walkey-Black Carbon and SOC estimated through dry combustion method using CN analyser and it was found that Walkley-Black carbon could recover 90% of SOC for semiarid tropical soils.

Keywords

Carbon Sequestration, Forest Soils, Land-use Systems, Organic Carbon, Soil Types, Total Carbon Stocks.

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Role of Soil Physical Properties in Soil Health Management and Crop Productivity in Rainfed Systems-II Management Technologies and Crop Productivity

Abstract Views :607 | PDF Views:205

Authors

A. K. Indoria ¹, K. L. Sharma ¹, K. Sammi Reddy ¹, Ch. Srinivasa Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 110, No 3 (2016), Pagination: 320-328

Abstract

In this article we review how different management technologies like integrated nutrient management, tillage practices, mulching, addition of clay, surface compaction, conservation tillage, use of polymers, etc. can favourably modify the soil physical properties like bulk density, porosity, aeration, soil moisture, soil aggregation, water retention and transmission properties, and soil processes like evaporation, infiltration, run-off and soil loss for better crop growth and yield. The central idea of this article is to suggest that if appropriate soil management technologies are adopted in rainfed areas for the improvement of soil physical health, the productivity of rainfed crops can be significantly improved.

Keywords

Crop Productivity, Management Technologies, Rainfed Agriculture, Soil Physical Properties.

Full Text

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Assessment of GMean Biological Soil Quality Indices under Conservation Agriculture Practices in Rainfed Alfisol Soils

Abstract Views :205 | PDF Views:83

Authors

K. L. Sharma ¹, Ch. Srinivasa Rao ¹, D. Suma Chandrika ¹, N. Nandini ¹, Munnalal ¹, K. Sammi Reddy ¹, A. K. Indoria ¹, T. Satish Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Saidabad PO, Santoshnagar, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 111, No 8 (2016), Pagination: 1383-1387

Abstract

The present study was conducted in 2009-10 with the objective to monitor the effect of restorative soil management practices on biological soil quality. The experiment was initiated in 1995 in a strip-split-split plot design with three replications. Sorghum and castor were grown in two-year rotations. The procedure comprised of two tillage treatments: conventional tillage (CT) and minimum tillage (MT; main plots), three residues treatments: sorghum stover (SS), Gliricidia loppings (GL), no residue (NR; sub-plots), and two nitrogen levels 0 (N0) and 90 kg ha^-1 (N90) (sub-subplots). After 15th year of the experiment, activities of the soil enzymes, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), labile carbon (LC) and organic carbon (OC) were studied. Soil management treatments significantly influenced the soil enzyme activities. Enzyme activity was significantly correlated with MBC, LC and OC. The biological soil quality has been assessed in terms of GMeanBSQI (geometric mean of biological soil quality index). From the viewpoint of GMeanBSQI, the order of superiority of soil management treatments was: MT (0.82) > CT (0.69). The performance of the residues was in the order GL (0.87) > SS (0.75) > NR (0.65). Nitrogen @ 90 kg ha^-1 (0.81) proved superior to no nitrogen (N0 - 0.70). Among all the treatment combinations, MTGLN90 was found to be the most superior management option for ensuring higher GMean in rainfed Alfisol soils. The present study indicates that crop residue management under minimum tillage is of great significance in improving the biological soil quality indicators and indices. The results obtained are significant in improving biological soil quality index and crop productivity through appropriate soil management.

Keywords

Biological Soil Quality, Crop Yield, Labile Carbon Pools, Soil Enzyme Activity, Soil Management.

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Conservation Agriculture - A Panacea to Improve Soil Physical Health

Abstract Views :257 | PDF Views:75

Authors

A. K. Indoria ¹, Srinivasa Rao ¹, K. L. Sharma ¹, K. Sammi Reddy ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 112, No 01 (2017), Pagination: 52-61

Abstract

Maintenance of soil physical health at its optimum level is essential for sustainable crop production and rational use of natural resources without jeopardizing their quality. The ongoing conventional tillage practices for crop production using intensive ploughing and removal of crop residue from the field have resulted in an increase in surface crusting, soil compaction, soil erosion, decrease in water infiltration and ultimately aggravation of the overall soil physical health deterioration. In recent years, many agricultural scientists across the world have recommended conservation agriculture as a solution to overcome the adverse effects of conventional tillage practices on soil physical health. Conservation agriculture is mainly an integration of three crop management practices, viz. minimum or no-tillage, permanent retention of crop residue and crop rotation. The present data indicates that conservation agriculture can improve soil physical properties and associated processes especially, soil water infiltration and storage, soil aeration, soil structure and soil porosity. It reduces soil erosion, soil compaction and crusting, and optimizes the soil temperatures for successful crop production. This article reviews the role of conservation agriculture in improving soil physical health and its associated processes.

Keywords

Conservation Agriculture, Conservation Tillage, Crop Residues, Crop Rotation, Soil Physical Health.

Full Text

Effective Management Practices for Improving Soil Organic Matter for Increasing Crop Productivity in Rainfed Agroecology of India

Abstract Views :213 | PDF Views:68

Authors

Srinivasa Rao ¹, A. K. Indoria ¹, K. L. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 112, No 07 (2017), Pagination: 1497-1504

Abstract

To meet the requirement of increasing demand for food and fodder and to ensure food security, it is important to increase the production potential through soil health improvement in rainfed agroecological regions besides the irrigated regions. Degrading soil health because of decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC) and resultant decline in overall soil fertility in rainfed areas is a major threat to sustenance of crop and fodder productivity. In view of the importance of soil organic matter (SOM), and its close relationship with soil health and crop production, its role in carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling has gained much attention in the last few years. Restoration of SOM contents in the soil to optimal levels will not only improve the soil health of rainfed agroecosystem, but will also significantly contribute towards boosting crop production. In this article, we have critically reviewed the impacts of different crop management practices on SOC content and its impact on soil health and crop productivity in rainfed agroecological regions of the country.

Keywords

Crop Production, Rainfed Agroecology, Soil Organic Matter, Soil Health Improvement.

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Sustaining Soil Quality, Resilience and Critical Carbon Level under Different Cropping Systems in Semi-Arid Tropical Alfisol Soils

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Authors

Uttam Kumar Mandal ¹, K. L. Sharma ², K. Venkanna ², Pushpanjali ², Ravikant V. Adake ², Rahul N. Masane ², J. V. N. S. Prasad ², G. Venkatesh ², Srinivasa Rao ²

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Canning Town, South 24-Parganas 743 329, IN
2 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 112, No 09 (2017), Pagination: 1882-1895

Abstract

Subsistence agriculture practice and a combination of harsh climate and fragile soils along with increasing demographic pressure are matters of great concern from the viewpoint of resource management and longterm sustainability in the semi-arid tropical Alfisol soils of India. In this study, soil quality index (SQI) has been computed on 190 sites of farmers' fields in southern India to evaluate the possible effect of land management practices on soil degradation and determine the critical levels of soil organic C stock to maintain a desirable SQI and also suggest appropriate management practices. In all, 26 predominant physical, chemical and biological properties of soils were studied and based on principal component analysis, moisture retention at field capacity, available soil N, available P, DTPA-extractable Zn, exchangeable sodium percentage, C-mineralization and bulk density were identified as the key indicators of the study region. SQI was also computed using four soil functions, viz. nutrient cycling, availability of water, resistance of soil to degradation, and salinity and sodicity. Soil resilience index was computed using data on substrateinduced respiration after exposing the soil to heat stress. SQI was highest under paddy followed by permanent fallow, maize, cotton, intercropping, redgram, and was lowest under castor system. Based on the results, it was observed that the soils which had higher SQI were also productive and they exhibited higher resilience capacity. An amount of 8.6 Mg ha^-1 soil organic C stock per 15 cm depth was found essential to maintain soil quality and 2.2 Mg ha^-1 of organic matter was needed every year to maintain this stock. On-farm participatory research trial was conducted using SQI as a tool for sustainable land-management practices.

Keywords

Cropping Systems, Organic Carbon Stock, Soil Quality and Resilience, Sustainable Land Management.

Full Text

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Role of Soil Physical Properties in Soil Health Management and Crop Productivity in Rainfed Systems-I:Soil Physical Constraints and Scope

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Authors

A. K. Indoria ¹, K. L. Sharma ¹, K. Sammi Reddy ¹, Srinivasa Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 112, No 12 (2017), Pagination: 2405-2414

Abstract

Soil physical degradation has become a serious problem in both rainfed and irrigated areas of India. According to an estimate, about 90 m ha area is experiencing soil physical constraint in the country. In rainfed regions, among several other constraints related to crop and climate, soil physical constraints are the key which severely limit crop productivity. The predominant soil constraints which are governed by the principles of soil physics include subsurface hard pan and compactness, crusting and hardening, slow and high permeability, non-optimal porosity, poor soil structure, poor water receptivity, retention and transmission, etc. It is now well-established that unless the soil physical environment is maintained at its optimum level, the genetic yield potential of a crop cannot be realized even when all the other requirements are fulfiled. The optimum soil physical environment creates a suitable condition for better crop production both in irrigated and rainfed regions. Rainfed agriculture, often referred to as dryland agriculture, is practiced in areas that are relatively warmer (arid, semi-arid) and dry sub-humid regions of the country. These regions are highly diverse, ranging from resource-rich areas with good agricultural potential to resource-constrained areas with a much more restricted potential. These regions represent a wide variety of soil types, agro-climatic and rainfall conditions. This article discusses the soil physical constraints in rainfed regions of India.

Keywords

Rainfed Agriculture, Soil Physical Properties, Soil Physical Constraints.

Full Text

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Alternative Sources of Soil Organic Amendments for Sustaining Soil Health and Crop Productivity in India – Impacts, Potential Availability, Constraints and Future Strategies

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Authors

A. K. Indoria ¹, K. L. Sharma ¹, K. Sammi Reddy ¹, Ch. Srinivasarao ¹, K. Srinivas ¹, S. S. Balloli ¹, M. Osman ¹, G. Pratibha ¹, N. S. Raju ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 115, No 11 (2018), Pagination: 2052-2062

Abstract

Among the several causes, critical low soil organic matter status is predominant for decline in soil health and consequent fall in crop productivity. Over the years, availability of traditional source of soil organic amendment, viz. cattle manure drastically declined due to various reasons (domestic uses as fuel and plastering of the kachha houses). The present study highlights that there are many alternative sources of soil organic amendments available in the country which have tremendous potential to improve soil organic matter status and crop productivity, and rejuvenate and enhance the dying total factor productivity of Indian soils. Data from various sources reveal that about 300 million tonnes of alternative sources of soil organic amendments are available in the country. This study highlights that the application of alternative sources of organic amendments directly or indirectly improves soil health by influencing many soil properties (physical and chemical) and enzyme activities (biological) that regulate nutrient dynamics in the soil. Consequent upon improvement in soil environment, the application of alternative sources of soil organic amendments alone or along with recommended dose of fertilizers registered significantly higher yield in different crops across different agro-climatic conditions of the country. Composting and vermicomposting are the best strategies to convert the biomass of available alternative sources of organic amendments to plant nutrient-rich products.

Keywords

Climate Change, Crop Productivity, Organic Amendments, Soil Health.

Full Text

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