Precise irrigation water and nitrogen management improve water and nitrogen use efficiencies under conservation agriculture in the maize‑wheat systems

Gupta, N and Singh, Y and Jat, H S and Singh, L K and Choudhary, K M and Sidhu, H S and Gathala, M K and Jat, M L (2023) Precise irrigation water and nitrogen management improve water and nitrogen use efficiencies under conservation agriculture in the maize‑wheat systems. Scientific Reports (TSI), 13. 01-16. ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

A 3-year field experiment was setup to address the threat of underground water depletion and sustainability of agrifood systems. Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system combined with nitrogen management under conservation agriculture-based (CA) maize-wheat system (MWS) effects on crop yields, irrigation water productivity (WPi), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and profitability. Grain yields of maize, wheat, and MWS in the SDI with 100% recommended N were significantly higher by 15.8%, 5.2% and 11.2%, respectively, than conventional furrow/flood irrigation (CT-FI) system. System irrigation water savings (~ 55%) and the mean WPi were higher in maize, wheat, and MWS under the SDI than CT-FI system. There was saving of 25% of fertilizer N in maize and MWS whereas no saving of N was observed in wheat. Net returns from MWS were significantly higher (USD 265) under SDI with 100% N (with no subsidy) than CT-FI system despite with higher cost of production. The net returns were increased by 47% when considering a subsidy of 80% on laying SDI system. Our results showed a great potential of complementing CA with SDI and N management to maximize productivity, NUE, and WPi, which may be economically beneficial and environmentally sound in MWS in Trans-IGP of South Asia.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Global Research Program - Resilient Farm and Food Systems
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: water and nitrogen management, water and nitrogen use, maize‑wheat systems
Subjects: Others > Wheat
Others > Maize
Others > Water Resources
Others > India
Depositing User: Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2023 04:38
Last Modified: 14 Sep 2023 04:38
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12181
Official URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-38953-6
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: The authors sincerely thank the Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for Window-3 Funding to CIMMYT for Conservation Agriculture research. The One CGIAR Integrated initiative Excellence in Agronomy (EiA: https:// www. cgiar. org/ initi ative/ 11- excel lence- in- agron omy- eia- solut ions- for- agric ultur al- trans forma tion) for long-term experiments support and Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA; _https:// www.cgiar. org/ initi ative/ 20- trans formi ng- agrif ood- syste ms- in- south- asia- tafssa). We also thankful to the Borlaug Institute of South Asia (BISA) for providing the research facilities for conducting smooth long-term experiment.
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