Integrating Pulses into Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Soil Health and Productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plains
Gunturi Alekhya *
Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India.
Sibananda Darjee
Division of Environmental science, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India.
Gundreddy Rajareddy
Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India.
Kadapa Sreenivasa Reddy
Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India.
A Anil Kumar
Division of Agricultural Statistics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India.
Ankireddypalli Jayakishore Reddy
Division of Soil Science and Agricultura Chemistry, ICAR-Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad-500 059, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Continuous cultivation of rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs) has resulted in significant soil degradation and environmental challenges. Diversifying cropping systems with pulses offers a sustainable solution, enhancing soil fertility, improving water productivity, and reducing input costs, including fertilizers and pesticides. This review highlights the potential to utilize extensive rice fallow regions, potentially expanding pulse cultivation by 1.0 M ha in the IGPs. Pulses' nitrogen-fixing ability and nutrient-rich residues play a crucial role in improving soil health, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, contributing to food security and climate resilience. The integration of pulses into conservation agriculture practices is essential for achieving sustainable agricultural intensification in this critical region.
Keywords: Conservation agriculture, nitrogen economy, productivity, pulses