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Ali A, Das B, Dhakar MK, Naik SK, Patel VB, Mishra GP, Sarkar PK, Shinde R, Jha AK, Bhatt BP. Enhancing soil health and fruit yield through Tephrosia biomass mulching in rainfed guava (Psidium guajava L.) orchards. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13913. [PMID: 38886478 PMCID: PMC11183150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64814-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Leguminous crop Tephrosia candida has high biomass production and contains a substantial quantity of nutrients within its biomass. Starting in 2019, a long-term study was done to find the best Tephrosia candida dose for mulching in guava orchards. The study had four treatments: T1 = 3.0 kg dry biomass m-2 of the plant basin, T2 = 2.0 kg, T3 = 1.0 kg, and T4 = control (no mulch). Every year, the treatments imposed in the month of August. The third year (2021-2022) results indicated that mulching with 3 kg of biomass m-2 increased trunk diameter, fruit yield, fruit weight, specific leaf area, total leaf chlorophyll, and leaf macro- and micro-nutrients. At 3.0 kg m-2, mulching improved soil properties such as EC, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, DTPA extractable micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn), total organic carbon (Ctoc), soil organic carbon (Csoc), organic carbon fractions, and microbial biomass carbon between 0-0.15 m and 0.15-0.30 m. There was an increasing trend in dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA). The Tephrosia leaf litter exhibited decay constants of 1.27 year-1, and the carbon content was 40.11%. Therefore, applying Tephrosia biomass mulching at a rate of 3.0 kg m-2 is a viable long-term solution for enhancing soil fertility and sequestering carbon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer Ali
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Barhi, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, 825405, India
- The Graduate School, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Bikash Das
- Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Plandu, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834010, India.
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, 842002, India.
| | - M K Dhakar
- Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Plandu, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834010, India.
| | - S K Naik
- Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Plandu, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834010, India
| | - V B Patel
- Horticultural Science Division, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan - II, ICAR, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - G P Mishra
- Division of Seed Science and Technology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - P K Sarkar
- ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre, Lembucherra, West Tripura, 799210, India
| | - Reshma Shinde
- Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Plandu, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834010, India
| | - A K Jha
- Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Plandu, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834010, India
| | - B P Bhatt
- Natural Resource Management Division, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan - II, ICAR, New Delhi, 110012, India
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Rugendo MK, Gichimu BM, Mugwe JN, Mucheru-Muna M, Mugendi DN. Surface runoff and soil erosion from Nitisols and Ferralsols as influenced by different soil organic carbon levels under simulated rainfall conditions. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17684. [PMID: 37539105 PMCID: PMC10395127 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil erosion poses a challenge to the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources, particularly in relation to agricultural production. The study aimed to assess the influence of different soil organic carbon (SOC) levels on runoff and soil erosion under varying levels of rainfall intensity. The study was conducted in pre-selected farmers' fields representing low, moderate and adequate SOC levels in Nitisols and Ferralsols. Two parallel experiments were set up in each type of soil using a split-plot layout arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design. The main plots were the different soil organic carbon levels while the sub-plots were the different simulated rainfall intensities. Rainfall simulation was then conducted to determine runoff and sediment losses on each soil type. The simulation was done using a land type sprinkler nozzle rainfall simulator (460 788 type) in an experimental plot of 1 m2, fenced with corrugated iron sheets with a small opening left for runoff collection. Runoff and sediment losses were determined from the volume collected in the jar. The data was subjected to analysis of variance and significant mean differences were determined using Tukey's Honest Test at a 95% confidence level. Pearson correlation was applied to assess the relationship between runoff volume and sediment loss. The results showed that Ferralsols recorded significantly higher runoff and sediment losses compared to Nitisols, by 60.27% and 53.14% respectively. However, adequate SOC level portrayed a significant effect in reducing erosion in both soil types, where it reduced runoff and sediment loss by 45.30% and 48.38% in Ferralsols and by 65.31% and 48.22% in Nitisols, respectively. In both soil types, runoff yield was positively correlated to rainfall intensity while sediment yield was inversely correlated with SOC levels. Therefore, the study recommends incorporation of organic matter to adequate levels in both soils, for reduced soil erosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercy K. Rugendo
- Department of Water and Agricultural Resource Management, University of Embu, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya
| | - Bernard M. Gichimu
- Department of Water and Agricultural Resource Management, University of Embu, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya
| | - Jayne N. Mugwe
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Monicah Mucheru-Muna
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Education, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel N. Mugendi
- Department of Water and Agricultural Resource Management, University of Embu, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya
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Li Z, Zhang Q, Qiao Y, Du K, Li Z, Tian C, Zhu N, Leng P, Yue Z, Cheng H, Chen G, Li F. Evaluation of no-tillage impacts on soil respiration by 13C-isotopic signature in North China Plain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153852. [PMID: 35181367 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
It is a challenge to characterize soil respiration of crop residue return systems in the North China Plain (NCP) under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) practices. In this study, we addressed the "hot spot" research challenge of impacts of tillage practices on soil carbon storage and soil CO2 emissions in the NCP by 13C-isotopic signature. A short-term (2018-2020) field experiment was conducted with two tillage practices: NT and CT. The results showed that in the tested area, NT had advantages of lower CO2 emissions compared to CT with average reduced CO2 emissions by 10.82%-19.14%. The results of this study suggested that the NT facilitated enhanced soil carbon storage by 2.80%, which was evidenced by the δ13C data. Based on the path analysis model, the main line of soil respiration reduced by NT was attributed to the increased of soil microbial carbon and nitrogen as well as soil moisture in NT, which further increased δ13C and eventually inhibited soil respiration. Overall, adopting NT in NCP is an effective means to improve soil carbon pool and decrease soil CO2 emissions in agriculture practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuying Zhang
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yunfeng Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Du
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Tian
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peifang Leng
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zewei Yue
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Gang Chen
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Florida A&M University-Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA
| | - Fadong Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Yucheng Shandong Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Yucheng, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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