Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T05:37:51.521Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Conservation agriculture effects on yield and profitability of rice-based systems in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2022

Md. Ariful Islam*
Affiliation:
Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA6150, Australia
Richard W. Bell
Affiliation:
Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA6150, Australia
Chris Johansen
Affiliation:
Consultant, 15 Westgate Court, Leeming, WA6149, Australia
M. Jahiruddin
Affiliation:
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Md. Enamul Haque
Affiliation:
Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA6150, Australia Conservation Agriculture Project, 2nd Floor, House 4C, Road 7B, Sector 9, Uttara, Dhaka1230, Bangladesh
Wendy Vance
Affiliation:
Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA6150, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Sustaining productivity of the rice-based cropping systems in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain (EIGP) requires practices to reverse declining soil fertility resulting from excessive tillage and crop residue removal, while decreasing production costs and increasing farm profits. We hypothesize that the adoption of conservation agriculture (CA), involving minimum tillage, crop residue retention and crop rotation, can address most of these challenges. Therefore, the effects of crop establishment methods – strip planting (SP), bed planting (BP) and conventional tillage (CT); and levels of crop residue retention – high residue (HR) and low residue (LR) on individual crop yield, system yield and profitability were evaluated in a split-plot design over three cropping seasons in two field experiments (Alipur and Digram sites) with contrasting crops and soil types in the EIGP. The SP and BP of non-rice crops were rotated with non-puddled rice establishment; CT of non-rice crops was rotated with puddled transplanted rice. In the legume-dominated system (rice-lentil-mung bean), lentil yields were similar in SP and CT, while lower in BP in crop season 1. A positive effect of high residue over low residue was apparent by crop season 2 and persisted in crop season 3. In crop season 3, the lentil yield increased by 18–23% in SP and BP compared to CT. In the cereal-dominated system (rice-wheat-mung bean), significant yield increases of wheat in SP and BP (7–10%) over CT, and of HR (1–3%) over LR, were detected by crop season 3 but not before. Rice yields under CA practices (non-puddled and HR) were comparable with CT (puddled and LR) in both systems. Improved yield of lentil and wheat with CA was correlated with higher soil water content. The net income of SP increased by 25–28% for dry season crops as compared to CT and was equal with CT for rice cropping systems. Conservation agriculture practices provide opportunities for enhancing crop yield and profitability in intensive rice-based systems of the EIGP of Bangladesh.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Present address: On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Pabna 6600, Bangladesh

References

Alam, M.K., Bell, R.W., Haque, M.E., Islam, M.A. and Kader, M.A. (2020). Soil nitrogen storage and availability to crops are increased by conservation agriculture practices in rice–based cropping systems in the Eastern Gangetic Plains. Field Crops Research 250, 107764. https://doi.org/107710.101016/j.fcr.102020.107764.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (2019). Hand Book on Agro-Technology. Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute.Google Scholar
Bell, R.W., Haque, M.E., Jahiruddin, M., Rahman, M.M., Begum, M., Miah, M.A.M., Islam, M.A., Hossen, M.A., Salahin, N., Zahan, T., Hossain, M.M., Alam, M.K. and Mahmud, M.N.H. (2019). Conservation agriculture for rice-based intensive cropping by smallholders in the eastern gangetic plain. Agriculture 9(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9010005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bell, R.W., Haque, M.E., Johansen, C., Vance, W., Kabir, M.E., Musa, A.M., Mia, M.N.N., Neogi, M.G. and Islam, M.A. (2017). Mechanized minimum soil disturbance establishment and yield of diverse crops in paddy fields using a two-wheel tractor-mounted planter suitable for smallholder cropping. Experimental Agriculture 54(5), 755773. https://doi.org/710.1017/S0014479717000370.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bhatt, R. and Kukal, S.S. (2017). Tillage and establishment method impacts on land and irrigation water productivity of wheat–rice system in north-west India. Experimental Agriculture 53(2), 178201. https://doi.org/110.1017/S0014479716000272.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bhatt, R., Singh, P., Hossain, A. and Timsina, J. (2021). Rice–wheat system in the northwest Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia: issues and technological interventions for increasing productivity and sustainability. Paddy and Water Environment 19(3), 345365. https://doi.org/310.1007/s10333-10021-00846-10337.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Black, G.R. and Hartge, K.H. (1986). Bulk density. In Klute, A. (ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part I-Physical and Mineralogical Methods , 2nd Edn. Madison: American Society of Agronomy, pp. 363375.Google Scholar
Bouyoucos, G.J. (1962). Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agronomy Journal 54(5), 464465. https://doi.org/410.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chaki, A.K., Gaydon, D.S., Dalal, R.C., Bellotti, W.D., Gathala, M.K., Hossain, A., Siddquie, N.A. and Menzies, N.W. (2021). Puddled and zero-till unpuddled transplanted rice are each best suited to different environments – An example from two diverse locations in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of Bangladesh. Field Crops Research 262, 108031. https://doi.org/108010.101016/j.fcr.102020.108031.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chakraborty, D., Nagarajan, S., Aggarwal, P., Gupta, V.K., Tomar, R.K., Garg, R.N., Sahoo, R.N., Sarkar, A., Chopra, U.K., Sarma, K.S.S. and Kalra, N. (2008). Effect of mulching on soil and plant water status, and the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a semi-arid environment. Agricultural Water Management 95(12), 13231334. https://doi.org/1310.1016/j.agwat.2008.1306.1001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Choudhury, G.S., Srivastava, S., Singh, R., Chaudhari, S.K., Sharma, D.K., Singh, S.K. and Sarkar, D. (2014). Tillage and residue management effects on soil aggregation, organic carbon dynamics and yield attribute in rice-wheat cropping system under reclaimed sodic soil. Soil and Tillage Research 136, 7683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2013.1010.1001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dahiya, A.S., Garg, R., Singh, S., Malik, H.R., Rana, B.P., Siwach, M. and Phor, S.K. (2013). Substitution of wheat straw by rice straw as composting material in the cultivation of white button mushroom. Journal of Environment and Ecology 31(3A), 15601563.Google Scholar
Das, T.K., Bhattacharyya, R., Sharma, A.R., Das, S., Saad, A.A. and Pathak, H. (2013). Impacts of conservation agriculture on total soil organic carbon retention potential under an irrigated agro-ecosystem of the western Indo-Gangetic Plains. European Journal of Agronomy 51, 3442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2013.1007.1003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Das, T.K., Bhattacharyya, R., Sudhishri, S., Sharma, A.R., Saharawat, Y.S., Bandyopadhyay, K.K., Sepat, S., Bana, R.S., Aggarwal, P., Sharma, R.K., Bhatia, A., Singh, G., Datta, S.P., Kar, A., Singh, B., Singh, P., Pathak, H., Vyas, A.K. and Jat, M.L. (2014). Conservation agriculture in an irrigated cotton-wheat system of the western Indo-Gangetic Plains: Crop and water productivity and economic profitability. Field Crops Research 158, 2433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2013.1012.1017.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gangwar, K.S., Singh, K.K., Sharma, S.K. and Tomar, O.K. (2006). Alternative tillage and crop residue management in wheat after rice in sandy loam soils of Indo-Gangetic Plains. Soil and Tillage Research 88(1–2), 242252. https://doi.org/210.1016/j.still.2005.1006.1015.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gathala, M.K., Kumar, V., Sharma, P.C., Saharawat, Y.S., Jat, H.S., Singh, M., Kumar, A., Jat, M.L., Humphreys, E., Sharma, D.K., Sharma, S. and Ladha, J.K. (2013). Optimizing intensive cereal-based cropping systems addressing current and future drivers of agricultural change in the northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 177, 8597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2013.1006.1002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ghimire, R., Lamichhane, S., Acharya, B.S., Bista, P. and Sainju, U.M. (2017). Tillage, crop residue, and nutrient management effects on soil organic carbon in rice-based cropping systems: A review. Journal of Integrative Agriculture 16(1), 115. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(1016)61337-61330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gomez, K.A. and Gomez, A.A. (1984). S tatistical Procedures for Agricultural Research. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Google Scholar
Hamilton, G., Bakker, D., Houlebrook, D. and Spann, C. (2000). Raised beds prevent waterlogging and increase productivity. Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia 41(1), Series 4, Article 2.Google Scholar
Haque, M.E., Bell, R.W., Islam, A.K.M.S., Sayre, K. and Hossain, M.M. (2017). An innovative versatile multi-crop planter for crop establishment using two-wheel tractors. Agricultural mechanization in Asia, Africa, and latin America 48(3), 3439.Google Scholar
Haque, M.E., Bell, R.W., Islam, M.A. and Rahman, M.A. (2016). Minimum tillage unpuddled transplanting: An alternative crop establishment strategy for rice in conservation agriculture cropping systems. Field Crops Research 185, 3139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2015.1010.1018.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hobbs, P., Gupta, R., Jat, R.K. and Malik, R.K. (2017). Conservation agriculture in the Indogangetic Plains of India: Past, present and future. Experimental Agriculture 55(2), 339357. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479717000424.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hossen, M.A., Hossain, M.M., Haque, M.E. and Bell, R.W. (2018). Transplanting into non-puddled soils with a small-scale mechanical transplanter reduced fuel, labour and irrigation water requirements for rice (Oryza sativa L.) establishment and increased yield. Field Crops Research 225, 141151. https://doi.org/110.1016/j.fcr.2018.1006.1009.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huq, I.S.M. and Shoaib, J.U.M. (2013). The Soils of Bangladesh. Madison, USA: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Springer.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Islam, M.A. (2017). Conservation Agriculture: Its effects on crop and soil in rice-based cropping systems in Bangladesh, PhD thesis. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Australia. 365 pp. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/36706/.Google Scholar
Islam, M.A., Bell, R.W., Johansen, C., Jahiruddin, M., Haque, M.E. and Vance, W. (2022). Conservation agriculture practice influences soil organic carbon pools in intensive rice-based systems of the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain. Soil Use and Management 38(2), 120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Islam, S., Gathala, M.K., Tiwari, T.P., Timsina, J. and Gérard, B. (2019). Conservation agriculture based sustainable intensification: Increasing yields and water productivity for smallholders of the Eastern Gangetic Plains. Field Crops Research 238, 117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2019.1004.1005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jat, M.L., Chakraborty, D., Ladha, J.K., Rana, D.S., Gathala, M.K., McDonald, A. and Gerard, B. (2020). Conservation agriculture for sustainable intensification in South Asia. Nature Sustainability 3(4), 336343. https://doi.org/310.1038/s41893-41020-40500-41892.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jat, R.D., Jat, H.S., Nanwal, R.K., Yadav, A.K., Bana, A., Choudhary, K.M., Kakraliya, S.K., Sutaliya, J.M., Sapkota, T.B. and Jat, M.L. (2018). Conservation agriculture and precision nutrient management practices in maize-wheat system: Effects on crop and water productivity and economic profitability. Field Crops Research 222, 111120. https://doi.org/110.1016/j.fcr.2018.1003.1025.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jat, R.K., Sapkota, T.B., Singh, R.G., Jat, M.L., Kumar, M. and Gupta, R.K. (2014). Seven years of conservation agriculture in a rice-wheat rotation of Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia: Yield trends and economic profitability. Field Crops Research 164(1), 199210. https://doi.org/110.1016/j.fcr.2014.1004.1015.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johansen, C., Haque, M.E., Bell, R.W., Thierfelder, C. and Esdaile, R.J. (2012). Conservation agriculture for small holder rainfed farming: Opportunities and constraints of new mechanized seeding systems. Field Crops Research 132, 1832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2011.1011.1026.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Joshi, D.R., Ghimire, R., Kharel, T., Mishra, U. and Clay, S.A. (2021). Conservation agriculture for food security and climate resilience in Nepal. Agronomy Journal, 110. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj1002.20830.Google Scholar
Karunakaran, V. and Behera, U.K. (2016). Tillage and residue management for improving productivity and resource-use efficiency in soybean (Glycine max)—wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system. Experimental Agriculture 52(4), 617634. https://doi.org/610.1017/S0014479715000289.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kumar, V., Jat, H.S., Sharma, P.C., Balwinder, S., Gathala, M.K., Malik, R.K., Kamboj, B.R., Yadav, A.K., Ladha, J.K., Raman, A., Sharma, D.K. and McDonald, A. (2018). Can productivity and profitability be enhanced in intensively managed cereal systems while reducing the environmental footprint of production? Assessing sustainable intensification options in the breadbasket of India. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 252, 132147. https://doi.org/110.1016/j.agee.2017.1010.1006.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kumar, V. and Ladha, J.K. (2011). Direct seeding of rice: recent developments and future research needs. In Donald, L.S. (ed.), Advances in Agronomy, vol. 111. International Rice Research Institute, India Office, Pusa, New Delhi, India: Academic Press, pp. 297413. https://doi.org/210.1016/B1978-1010-1012-387689-387688.300001-387681 Google Scholar
Lauren, J.G., Shah, G., Hossain, M.I., Talukder, A.S.M.H.M., Duxbury, J.M., Meisner, C.A. and Adhikari, C. (2008). Research station and on-farm experiences with permanent raised beds through the soil management collaborative research support program. In Humphreys, E. and Roth, C.H. (eds), Workshop on Permanent Beds and Rice Residue Management for Rice–Wheat Systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, 7–9 September 2006, ACIAR No. 127. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra, Australia. Ludhiana, India.Google Scholar
Mishra, J.S., Poonia, S.P., Kumar, R., Dubey, R., Kumar, V., Modal S., Dwivedi, S.K., Rao, K.K., Kumar, R., Tamta, M., Verma, M., Saurabh, K., Kumar, S., Bhatt, B.P., Malik, R.K., McDonald, A. and Bhaskar, S. (2021). An impact of agronomic practices of sustainable rice-wheat crop intensification on food security, economic adaptability, and environmental mitigation across eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains. Field Crops Research 267, 108164. doi: 108110.101016/j.fcr.102021.108164.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mondal, S., Kumar, S., Haris, A.A., Dwivedi, S.K., Bhatt, B.P. and Mishra, J.S. (2016). Effect of different rice establishment methods on soil physical properties in drought-prone, rainfed lowlands of Bihar, India. Soil Research 54(8), 9971006. https://doi.org/1010.1071/SR15346.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
O’Neill, J.V. and Webb, R.A. (1970). Simultaneous determination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in plant material by automatic methods. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 21(5), 217219. https://doi.org/210.1002/jsfa.2740210501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ouji, A., El-Bok, S., Youssef, N.O.B., Rouaissi, M., Mouelhi, M., Younes, M.B. and Kharrat, M. (2016). Impact of row spacing and seeding rate on yield components of lentil (Lens culinaris L.). Journal of New Sciences 25(2), 11381144.Google Scholar
Parihar, C.M., Jat, S.L., Singh, A.K., Kumar, B., Yadvinder, S., Pradhan, S., Pooniya, V., Dhauja, A., Chaudhary, V., Jat, M.L., Jat, R.K. and Yadav, O.P. (2016). Conservation agriculture in irrigated intensive maize-based systems of north-western India: Effects on crop yields, water productivity and economic profitability. Field Crops Research 193, 104116. https://doi.org/110.1016/j.fcr.2016.1003.1013.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pittelkow, C.M., Liang, X., Linquist, B.A., Groenigen, L.J.V., Lee, J., Lundy, M.E., Gestel, N.V., Six, J., Venterea, R.T. and Kessel, C.V. (2015). Productivity limits and potentials of the principles of conservation agriculture. Nature 517(7534), 365368.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Porichha, G.K., Hu, Y., Rao, K.T.V. and Xu, C.C. (2021). Crop residue management in India: stubble burning vs. other utilizations including bioenergy. Energies 14(14), 4281. https://doi.org/4210.3390/en14144281.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rahman, M.A., Chikushi, J., Saifizzaman, M. and Lauren, J.G. (2005). Rice straw mulching and nitrogen response of no-till wheat following rice in Bangladesh. Field Crops Research 91(1), 7181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2004.1006.1010.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ram, H., Singh, Y., Saini, K.S., Kler, D.S. and Timsina, J. (2013). Tillage and planting methods effects on yield, water use efficiency and profitability of soybean–wheat system on a loamy sand soil. Experimental Agriculture 49(4), 524542. doi: 510.1017/S0014479713000264.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ram, H., Singh, Y., Saini, K.S., Kler, D.S., Timsina, J. and Humphreys, E.J. (2012). Agronomic and economic evaluation of permanent raised beds, no tillage and straw mulching for an irrigated maize-wheat system in northwest India. Experimental Agriculture 48(1), 2138. doi: 10.1017/S0014479711000809.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ray, D.K., Ramankutty, N., Mueller, N.D., West, P.C. and Foley, J.A. (2012). Recent patterns of crop yield growth and stagnation. Nature Communications 3(1), 1293. https://doi.org/1210.1038/ncomms2296.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rayment, G.E. and Higginson, F.R. (1992). Australian Laboratory Handbook of Soil and Water Chemical Methods. Port Melbourne, Australia: Inkata Press.Google Scholar
Saha, R. and Ghosh, P.K. (2013). Soil organic carbon stock, moisture availability and crop yield as influenced by residue management and tillage practices in maize-mustard cropping system under hill agro-ecosystem. National Academy Science Letters 36(5), 461468. doi: 410.1007/s40009-40013-40158-40007.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salahin, N., Jahiruddin, M., Islam, M.R., Alam, M.K., Haque, M.E., Ahmed, S., Baazeem, A., Hadifa, A., Sabagh, A.E. and Bell, R.W. (2021). Establishment of crops under minimal soil disturbance and crop residue retention in rice-based cropping system: Yield advantage, soil health improvement, and economic benefit. Land 10(6), 581. https://doi.org/510.3390/land10060581.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sarkar, S., Skalicky, M., Hossain, A., Brestic, M., Saha, S., Garai, S., Ray, K. and Brahmachari, K. (2020). Management of crop residues for improving input use efficiency and agricultural sustainability. Sustainability 12(23), 9808. https://doi.org/9810.3390/su12239808.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scholenberger, C.J. and Simon, R.H. (1945). Determination of exchange capacity and exchangeable bases in soil ammonium acetate method. Soil Science 59, 1324. doi: 10.1097/00010694-194501000-194500004.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singh, R., Yadav, D.B., Ravisankar, N., Yadav, A. and Singh, H. (2020). Crop residue management in rice–wheat cropping system for resource conservation and environmental protection in north-western India. Environment, Development and Sustainability 22(5), 38713896. https://doi.org/3810.1007/s10668-10019-00370-z.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singh, Y., Humphreys, E., Kukal, S.S., Singh, B., Kaur, A., Thaman, S., Prashar, A., Yadav, S., Timsina, J., Dhillon, S.S., Kaur, N., Smith, D.J. and Gajri, P.R. (2009). Crop performance in permanent raised bed rice–wheat cropping system in Punjab, India. Field Crops Research 110(1), 120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2008.1006.1009.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Talukder, A.S.M.H.M., Meisner, C.A., Baksh, M.E. and Waddington, S.R. (2008). Wheat–maize–rice cropping on permanent raised beds in Bangladesh. In Humphreys, E. and Roth, C.H. (eds), Workshop on Permanent Beds and Rice Residue Management for rice–wheat Systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, 7–9 September 2006, ACIAR Proceedings, vol. 127. Ludhiana, India: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, pp. 111123.Google Scholar
Thomas, G.W. (1996).Soil pH and soil acidity. In Sparks, D.L., Page, A.L., Helmke, P.A. and Loeppert, R.H. (eds), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 3-Chemical Methods. Madison, WI: SSSA Book Series No. 5, SSSA, pp. 475490.Google Scholar
Timsina, J., Wolf, J., Guilpart, N., van Bussel, L.G.J., Grassini, P., van Wart, J., Hossain, A., Rashid, H., Islam, S. and van Ittersum, M.K. (2018). Can Bangladesh produce enough cereals to meet future demand? Agricultural Systems 163, 3644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2016.1011.1003.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Uddin, J. (2008). Development of new lentil varieties in Bangladesh. In Proceedings of 14th Agronomy Conference 2008, 21–25 September 2008, Adelaide, South Australia.Google Scholar
Vance, W. (2013). Overcoming soil water constraints to chickpea yield in rainfed environments of Western Australia and Bangladesh, PhD thesis. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Australia. 310 pp. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/16616/.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Islam et al. supplementary material

Islam et al. supplementary material

Download Islam et al. supplementary material(File)
File 32 MB