Intensification of Rice-Fallow Agroecosystem of South Asia with Oilseeds and Pulses: Impacts on System Productivity, Soil Carbon Dynamics and Energetics

Rice-fallow systems in South Asian countries play a pivotal role increasing agricultural production. However, the productivity of these system is largely challenged by deteriorating soil health and limited residual moistures dry-periods, precluding possibility winter and/or spring season crops after rice harvest. This investigation explores possibilities including through conservation agriculture (CA)-based management practices evaluates its effect on carbon dynamic, productivity, energy budgeting. Field experiments were conducted at farmer’s field participatory modes Chene Village, Jharkhand, India, had five treatments comprising (1) fallow-land [FL]; (2) transplanted puddle (TPR)-fallow (winter)-fallow (summer), typical cultivation practice this region [RF]; (3) TPR–conventional-till mustard–conventional-till blackgram [CP]; (4) CA with zero-till (ZTTR)-ZT mustard–ZT [CA1]; (5) direct seeded (ZTDSR)-ZT [CA2]. Results revealed that CA2 full growing rice, mustard under ZT increased total organic (TSOC) 0–0.6 m layer 14.3% 10.3% over RF CP, respectively. The C-sequestration rate was higher varied from 0.55 to 0.64 Mg C ha−1 year−1. equivalent yield during initial four years lower than CP but it 23.7% fifth year. CA-based (CA2) enhanced water 7.0%, 23.6% 14.1% treatment, having better potential, C-footprint, has very good potential for sustaining crop rice-fallow systems.