Improving soil health through sustainable practices in rice-wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic plain
Background
Soils are dynamic and complex living systems that can be influenced by a range of factors like land management practices, crop diversity or climatic changes. Healthy soils affect not just crop production but broader social and ecological services like supporting human health, habitation of animals and enhancing water and air quality. Therefore, understanding the relationship between land management, soil health and crop yield are crucial to developing sustainable land management systems. This is especially important in the Indian context where declining soil quality has been the focus of much recent research. Rice-wheat systems (RWS) in particular can lead to severe decline in soil quality, with continuous intensive cropping often leading to loss of soil organic matter (SOM), nutrient imbalances, groundwater depletion and increased pest resistance.
Long-term experimental trials
Soils have been analyzed from seven long-term agricultural trials in the state to determine the effect of crop diversity, tillage practices, crop residue incorporation and organic amendments on soil health in RWS. We measured soil physical, biological and chemical properties using the comprehensive assessment of soil health (CASH) approach. Reducing tillage and crop residue additions have a positive effect on soil health. However the effect of crop diversification on soil heath is not as clear.
Spatial Distribution of management, soil health and yield
Soil samples have also been collected from 400 farmer fields, spanning 14 districts in Bihar (in partnership with Cereal Systems of South Asia (CSISA)). Each sample was accompanied by a farmer survey collecting crucial information on yields and management practices. These samples have been analyzed and the relationship between yield, management practices and soil health indicators will be modeled to determine their linkages and to determine how they vary across the state.
Publications
Krishnan, Kavya, et al. “Soil Health Assessment.” Soil Analysis: Recent Trends and Applications. Springer, Singapore, 2020. 199-219.
Presentations
Krishnan, Kavya, and Harold van Es. “Improving soil health through sustainable practices in rice-wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic plain.” ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meeting. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, 2021. Salt Lake City, Utah
Krishnan, Kavya, and Harold van Es. “Long Term Effect of Land Management, Fertilization and Crop Diversity on Soil Health.” ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings (2020)| VIRTUAL. ASA-CSSA-SSSA.
Kavya Krishnan 