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Sustainable Cropping Sequences to Improve Soil Fertility and Microbiological Properties

Author

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  • Ankit

    (Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India
    Central Soil Salinity Research Institute-ICAR, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India)

  • Dhram Prakash

    (Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India)

  • Sunita Sheoran

    (Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India)

  • Parmod Kumar Yadav

    (Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India)

  • Dev Raj

    (Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India)

  • Rachna

    (Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India)

  • Rajeev Kumar Gupta

    (Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144001, Punjab, India
    Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141001, Punjab, India)

  • Salah El-Hendawy

    (Department of Plant Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohamed A. Mattar

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Different cropping systems and nutrient management techniques impact the microbiological characteristics of soil and nutrient availability for plants. This study assessed four cropping systems—rice–wheat, cotton–wheat, pearl millet–wheat, and pearl millet–mustard in Hisar district, Haryana, using 80 soil samples (20 from each system) collected in April 2022 after the Rabi crop harvest. The cotton–wheat system had the highest accessible nitrogen (N) at 155.9 kg ha −1 , while both the cotton–wheat (59.3 kg ha −1 ) and rice–wheat (54.0 kg ha −1 ) systems had higher available sulfur (S) levels compared to pearl millet–wheat (41.2 kg ha −1 ). Pearl millet–wheat also showed 12.4% higher potassium (K) levels than rice–wheat. The rice–wheat system exhibited the highest phosphorus (P) concentration at 54.3 kg ha −1 and greater DTPA-extractable micronutrients. Soils from the rice–wheat system had higher DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) and superior microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN, 54.7 mg kg −1 ), urease (37.9 µg NH 4 + -N g −1 h −1 ), and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA, 269.7 µg PNP g −1 h −1 ) compared to other systems. Canonical discriminant functions explained 88.1% of the variability among cropping systems, while principal component analysis identified available P, DTPA-extractable Zn, and Cu as key soil quality indicators, accounting for 66.9% of the variance. These insights can inform policymakers on promoting effective cropping systems and sustainable soil health in northwestern India.

Suggested Citation

  • Ankit & Dhram Prakash & Sunita Sheoran & Parmod Kumar Yadav & Dev Raj & Rachna & Rajeev Kumar Gupta & Salah El-Hendawy & Mohamed A. Mattar, 2024. "Sustainable Cropping Sequences to Improve Soil Fertility and Microbiological Properties," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-28, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:9821-:d:1518415
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kyalo Willy, Daniel & Muyanga, Milu & Jayne, Thomas, 2019. "Can economic and environmental benefits associated with agricultural intensification be sustained at high population densities? A farm level empirical analysis," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 100-110.
    2. Kishan Mahmud & Dinesh Panday & Anaas Mergoum & Ali Missaoui, 2021. "Nitrogen Losses and Potential Mitigation Strategies for a Sustainable Agroecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, February.
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