MOHIT, BALDEV RAJ KAMBOJ, PARDEEP PHOGAT, DHARAM BIR YADAV, ANKIT SINGH AND RAJESH MOR
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Division of Soil and Crop Management, ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal-132 001 (Haryana), India
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Faculty of Agricultural Science, SGT University, Gurugram-122 505 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: pardeepphogat0617@gmail.com)
(Received: 10 September 2025; Accepted: 28 September 2025)
SUMMARY
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2018 at the Regional Research Station, Uchani, Karnal under CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar to evaluate the effects of various maize (Zea mays L.) establishment methods and crop residue retention on soil physicochemical properties and nutrient dynamics. The study aimed to explore sustainable alternatives to the traditional rice-wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, with a focus on conservation agriculture practices. The trial was laid out in a randomized block design with eight treatments, including zero tillage and conventional tillage methods under different sowing techniques and residue management scenarios. Soil samples collected post-harvest were analysed for bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Results revealed that while bulk density, pH and EC were not significantly influenced by establishment methods, zero tillage with residue retention notably improved soil organic carbon (0.41%) and enhanced the availability of nitrogen (129.5 kg/ha), phosphorus (17.9 kg/ha) and potassium (230.0 kg/ha). These benefits are attributed to minimal soil disturbance and improved nutrient cycling due to residue decomposition. The findings underscore the potential of conservation agriculture-particularly zero tillage with residue retention-as a sustainable strategy to enhance soil health and fertility in maize-based cropping systems in north-western India.
Key words: Conservation agriculture, zero tillage, residue retention, nutrient cycling and soil health