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Changes in Soil Physical Properties and Crop Productivity as Influenced by Different Tillage Depths and Cropping Patterns

M. K. ALAM
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh.

N. SALAHIN
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A series of field experiments was conducted at BARI central farm to observe the changes in soil densities, moisture retentive properties, and crop productivity as influenced by different tillage depths and cropping patterns. The tillage depth showed significant effect on wheat yield. Grain yield of wheat significantly increased from 2.86 t/ha (minimum tillage depth) to 5.33 t/ha (tillage depth up to 20-25 cm). Tillage depths and cropping patterns individually and their interaction significantly affected the yield of BRRI dhan32. The highest grain yield of rice (5.82 t/ha) was found in the tillage depth up to 20-25 cm under wheat-dhaincha-T. aman cropping pattern, whereas the lowest yield (2.08 t/ha) was found in the minimum tillage depth under wheat-fallow-T. aman cropping pattern. Soil densities and soil moisture retentive properties were significantly affected by interaction of tillage depths and cropping patterns. The bulk density and particle density of soil were decreased but the porosity and soil moisture at field capacity and permanent wilting point were increased with the increase of tillage depths. Tillage depth up to 20-25 cm by chisel plough under wheat-dhaincha-T. aman cropping pattern conserved more moisture in the soil profile and improved other soil physical properties i.e. reduced the bulk density, increased porosity, increased water holding capacity and available water content of soil, thus maintained an optimum soil water infiltration rate and soil strength. The study revealed that the soil physical properties were significantly improved and crop yield significantly increased under tillage depth up to 20-25 cm by chisel plough under wheat-dhaincha-T. aman cropping pattern.

Keywords: Tillage depth, Soil physical properties, Cropping pattern, Wheat yield.

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur

Start Date: 00-00-2008

End Date: 00-00-2009

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Land development productivity

Objectives:

The overall objective of the study was to identify the appropriate tillage depths and cropping pattern for improving soil health and crop productivity and to observe the changes in soil densities, moisture retentive properties, and crop productivity as influenced by different tillage depths and cropping patterns.

Methodology:

Description of experimental site: A series of experiments were conducted at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur during 2008-2009. The study area was under the agro-ecological zone Modhupur Tract and the soil belongs to the Chhiata series of the Grey Terrace Soils (Aeric Albaquept) under the order Inceptisols. The textural class is Clay loam having soil pH ranging from 5.5-5.7 and the land type is medium high. The climate of the experimental area is subtropical, wet and humid. Heavy rainfall occurs in the monsoon and scanty in the other times. Treatments and design: There were nine treatment combinations comprising three tillage depths as: T₁- minimum tillage depth (0-4 cm), T₂- tillage depth up to 10-12 cm and T₃- tillage depth up to 20-25 cm) and three cropping patterns: C₁- wheat-fallow-T. aman; C₂- wheat–mungbean-T. aman, and C₃- wheat-dhaincha-T. aman were examined in a split-plot design with three replications. Land preparation, seed sowing/ transplanting, fertilizer application and intercultural operation: In minimum tillage depth (0-4 cm) seeds were placed just by making furrow with a hand rake. The tillage depth up to 10-12 cm was maintained by a power tiller, whereas the tillage depth up to 20-25 cm was maintained by a chisel plough. The seeds of the first crop, wheat of all patterns were sown on 27 November 2008. The seeds of mungbean and dhaincha were sown in the fourth week of March 2009. Forty-day old seedlings of T. aman rice (BRRI dhan32) were transplanted in the second week of July 2009 at 25 cm apart from rows maintaining 15 cm hill to hill distance and 3 seedlings per hill. Necessary gap filling was done at 8 days after transplanting. The crops, wheat and T. aman were irrigated as and when necessary whereas mungbean and dhaincha were grown under rainfed condition for targeting a high yield goal of the crops in the cropping patterns the rates of chemical fertilizer for each component crop were calculated based on soil test results using the FRG 2005 (BARC, 2005). Weeding and other intercultural operations were done as and when necessary. Crop harvesting and data collection: Wheat was harvested in first week of May in both years. Mungbean was harvested from first to third week of June 2009. After picking the pod, the remaining biomass of mungbean was incorporated in the soil. The total biomass of dhaincha was incorporated in the soil in the fourth week of June. Rice crop was harvested in the second week of November 2009 at full maturity. For data collection of wheat and rice, ten hills from each plot were sampled randomly. Both the crop (wheat and rice) was cut at the ground level. Threshing, cleaning, and drying of grain were done separately plot-wise. The weights of grain and straw were recorded plot-wise. Determination of different soil properties: Soil samples were collected from the experimental field at the three different sampling depths (0-15 cm) after the completion of experiment i.e., after the harvest of T. aman rice and analyzed in the laboratory for pH, OM, N, P, K, and Zn following standard procedures (Page et al., 1982). Particle size distribution and textural class analysis of the collected soils was done by hydrometer method (Black, 1965). Bulk density and particle density of the soil samples were determined by core sampler method and Pycnometer method, respectively (Karim et al., 1988). The soil porosity was computed from the relationship between bulk density and particle density using the equation 1. Soil moisture at field capacity and permanent wilting point were measured using pressure plate apparatus, where available water was calculated using the equation 2 (Black, 1965).

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(2): 289-299, June 2013 ISSN 0258-7122

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Deep tillage (20-25 cm) by chisel plough under wheat-dhaincha-T. aman cropping pattern have improved the soil physical environment, made the soil softer indicated by reduced bulk density, increased the moisture retentive capacity of soil and ultimately favoured in increased yield of both wheat and rice crops. The lowest yield of both the crops was found in minimum tillage under wheat-fallow-T. aman cropping pattern.

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