Soil physical and hydraulic properties in a rice-wheat cropping system in India: effects of rice-straw management

Published source details Singh G., Jalota S.K. & Sidhu B.S. (2006) Soil physical and hydraulic properties in a rice-wheat cropping system in India: effects of rice-straw management. Soil Use and Management, 21, 17-21.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Amend the soil with fresh plant material or crop remains Action Link

Amend the soil with fresh plant material or crop remains

An experiment in 1996 on sandy loam in India (Singh et al. 2005) found higher soil organic carbon under straw incorporation (0.53% of soil sampled) and burning (0.46%), compared to straw removal (0.42%). Soil porosity and soil aggregate size were also higher under straw incorporation (0.4 pores/sample, 0.34 mm) and burning (0.38 pores, 0.28 mm) compared to straw removal (0.37 pores and 0.24 mm respectively). Soil density was lower under straw incorporation (1.6 tm³) compared to straw burning (1.65 tm³) and removal (1.67 tm³). Water infiltration was higher under straw incorporation (0.57 cm/h) compared to straw burning (0.41 cm/h) or removal (0.53 cm/h). Three treatments were applied to a rice Oryza sativa-wheat Triticum aestivum rotation prior to wheat sowing: straw incorporated, straw burned, straw removed. Plot size was not specified. Soils were sampled to 15 cm depth, and soil cores were used to measure water retention.