ABSTRACT

Depletion of soil fertility is a major constraint to higher production in Bangladesh. Optimum use of fertilizers
along with the good management practices such as tillage and residue management are the key to success of
achieving higher and sustainable crop yields. The present study was carried out at the Soil Science Field
Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during aman season of 2018, to study the
impact of different tillage system, crop residue retention and Integrated Plant Nutrition System (IPNS) on soil
chemical properties and yield of rice. The experiment was laid out in a split-split-plot design with two tillage
system 1) single passing of a power tiller at 0-5 cm depth (minimum tillage) and 2) four times ploughing of
soil at 0-15 cm depth (conventional tillage) in main plot; two residue treatments (with residue and without
residue) in sub plots and three IPNS treatments (recommended fertilizer dose, livestock compost and bioslurry) on sub-sub plot. Urea, TSP, MOP, Gypsum, and zinc sulphate were used as a source of N, P, K, S and
Zn and the recommended rate of fertilizer application followed the Fertilizer Recommendation Guide 2012.
Each treatment was replicated three times. BRRI dhan 71 was used as a test crop. Results showed that grain
yield and straw yield of rice were significantly influenced with different tillage system (p > 0.05). The effect
of tillage on soil organic carbon in T. aman rice field was significant (p > 0.05). Total nitrogen content was
significantly influenced by the IPNS (p > 0.01). The interactions of tillage x residue x IPNS did not show
significant effect on rice yield, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in soil.
Key words: Minimum tillage, crop residue retention, bio-slurry, rice.
Introduction
IPNS (Integrated Plant Nutrition System) is a holistic approach to plant nutrition by obtaining the nutrients
from both inorganic and organic source to maintain and sustain soil fertility and enhance crop productivity
in a framework of an ecologically compatible, socially acceptable, technically appropriate and
economically viable situation. Concurrently, it encourages, informs, trains and organizes farmers to
increase crop production while sustaining soil productivity. Nevertheless, it is true that applying livestock
manure to soil can enhance soil fertility and crop growth (Gina et al. 2006). Residual effects of manure or
compost application on crop production and soil properties can last for several years (Bahman Eghball et
al. 2005). Integrated use of organic manure and chemical fertilizers would be quite promising not only in
providing greater stability in production, but also in maintaining better soil fertility. The long-term research
at BARI revealed that the application of cowdung @ 5 t ha-1 year-1
improved rice productivity as well as
prevented the soil resources from degradation (Bhuiyan, 1994). Poultry manure is another good source of
nutrients in soil. Organic manure can supply a good amount of plant nutrients and therefore can contribute
to crop yields. Therefore, it is necessary to use fertilizer and manure in an integrated way in order to obtain
sustainable crop yield without declining soil fertility. On the other hand, tillage is considered to be the
oldest and the most fundamental farm activity of mankind for crop production. It is the practices of
working the soil for the purpose of bringing about more favourable condition for plant growth. Tillage
operation influences soil physical properties, crop yield, water conservation, root growth, nutrient
availability and distribution. No tillage is encouraged by conservation agriculture for crop production. It
resists the soil from erosion, conserves moisture and reduces energy but weed, insect and disease