Effect of gypsum integrated with organic amendments on hydrologic attributes, crop productivity and soil health of table land in Chambal river basin

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of soil amendments on runoff, soil loss, nutrient loss, crop productivity and soil properties in table lands of Chambal ravines, western India. Eight treatments consisting of gypsum, crop residue (CR) and farm yard manure (FYM) applied solely and in combination with each other with recommended fertilizer dose (RDF) and one control were imposed on soybeanmustard cropping system. Observations recorded over three years revealed that lowest runoff (15.5-17.9%) and soil loss (2-2.2 t ha-1) was found in RDF + Gypsum + CR, RDF + Gypsum + CR + FYM and RDF + Gypsum + FYM, whereas, highest runoff (25.5%) and soil loss (4.2 t ha-1) was observed in control. The magnitude of runoff and soil loss reduction over control varied between 35 and 51% in combined and 23 and 41% sole amendment treatments respectively. The lowest nutrient loss was recorded in combined (1.79:0.21:15.1 and11.9 kg ha-1) followed by sole (2.17:0.23:17 and 14.5 kg ha-1) amendment applied treatments. Combined application of CR, gypsum and FYM enhanced soil moisture (0-30 cm) content by 37% over control plots. Application of gypsum and organic amendments decreased exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), improved soil organic carbon (SOC) and available nutrient content. Significant improvement in soybean (1.25-1.31 t ha-1) and mustard (1.36-1.40 t ha-1) grain yield was observed in gypsum with organic amendment treatments compared to only RDF. System productivity in terms of mustard grain equivalent yield indicated that the application of soil amendments is the best option for reducing runoff, soil-nutrient loss, reclaiming soil properties and improving oilseed production.