Assessing the Effects of Implement Appropriate Practices of Tillage-Based Cropping and Residue Management Significant Impact on Soil Health and Productivity in a Rice-Wheat-Green Gram Cropping System in North Bihar

Abstract

In order to solve the problem of deteriorating soil health and the stagnation of yield in the rice-wheat-green gram cropping system (RWGCS) in Madwan Block, Muzaffarpur Bihar, from 2018 until 2023. The experiment included five crop scenarios based on conservation agriculture principles (CA), these interventions for improving soil health and enhancing crop yields, providing insights for future agricultural practices in the region. This study aimed to assess the impact of various tillage-based crop establishment and residue retention practices on soil health and agricultural system sustainability by developing a soil quality index (SQI). Soil properties were analyzed to create a SQI for 2018 and 2023 using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) to comprehensively assess soil quality. The treatment RPTR-BCW-BCG (T1), including random puddled transplanted rice, broadcasted wheat, and green gram with negligible residue integration, exhibited inferior soil quality ratings. Significant variations in soil parameters were identified among treatments during the research period. Moreover, treatment ZTDSR-HSZTW-HSG (T5), demonstrated high grain yields for rice (58.16 qt. ha−1 in 2020-21, 57.32 qt. ha−1 in 2021-22) and wheat (60.00 qt. ha−1 in 2020-21, 62.56 qt. ha−1 in 2021-22), as well as relatively high green gram yield (13.57 qt. ha−1 in 2020-21, 13.83 qt. ha−1 in 2021-22). Beneficial effects of positive outcomes in terms of crop output and sustainability as a result of implementing residue management and conservation tillage practices. The implementing CA methods, particularly the T5 treatment, can improve soil quality, enhance crop production sustainability, and promote overall agricultural system sustainability in the examined RWGCS. These results highlight the significance of managing agricultural residues and conservation tillage in maintaining soil health and ensuring long-term production in rice-wheat-green gram cropping systems.

Keywords: Tillage-based cropping system, soil quality indicators, techniques for managing residues, no-till farming, zero-till farming