Green manuring effects on crop morpho-physiological characters, rice yield and soil properties

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Agronomy
• Soil Science

Background:

• Sustainable agriculture practices are crucial for enhancing crop yield and soil health.
• Green manure and nitrogen (N) fertilizer are key inputs in rice cultivation, but their combined effects require detailed evaluation.
• Optimizing nutrient management is essential to mitigate potential yield losses associated with continuous synthetic fertilizer use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of green manure (Sesbania aculeata and Crotalaria juncea) combined with varying levels of nitrogen fertilizer on rice.
• To assess the effects on morpho-physiological traits, grain yield, and post-harvest soil nutrient status.
• To compare the efficacy of integrated nutrient management with sole N fertilizer application.

Main Methods:

• A field experiment was conducted during the 2017 kharif season using a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and three replications.
• Treatments included control, green manure alone, green manure with different N levels (0-60 kg/ha), and N60 kg/ha alone.
• Key parameters measured included chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf area index (LAI), light interception (%), net assimilation rate (NAR), grain yield, and soil macro- and micronutrients.

Main Results:

• Integrated application of green manure and N fertilizer significantly enhanced morpho-physiological traits like chlorophyll content, LAI, %LI, and NAR.
• The treatment combining green manure with N60 kg/ha resulted in significantly higher grain yield compared to control and N60 alone.
• Green manure incorporation notably increased macro- and micronutrient levels in the post-harvest soil.

Conclusions:

• Balanced nutrient supply through integrated green manure and judicious nitrogen fertilizer management optimizes rice yield and improves crop physiology.
• This combined approach enhances soil fertility, offering a sustainable strategy to potentially avoid yield declines associated with continuous synthetic fertilizer use.
• The findings support the adoption of green manuring as a vital component of integrated nutrient management for rice production.