Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
T1-42 P-1462
In-Situ Moisture Conservation and Natural Nitrification Inhibitors for
Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change in Semi-Arid Rainfed
Regions
G.Pratibha*, K.V.Rao, I.Srinivas, A.K.Indoria, Sumanta Kundu, M.Srinivasa Rao,
Shivakumar A, K.Srinivasa Rao, M.Prabhakar, B.M.K.Raju, K.Sammi Reddy and
V.K.Singh
Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500059, India
*G.Pratibha@icar.gov.in
The rainfed regions are characterised by frequent dry spells and uneven distribution of rainfall,
during cropping season. The dry spells of two weeks or more may occur after seed
germination, or during different growth stages of crop and this result in moisture stress
conditions leading to decline in crop productivity and may also sometimes cause total crop
failure. Therefore, for the sustainable production requires adoption of location specific in-situ
soil moisture conservation technologies are need of the hour. In addition to moisture stress,
low nitrogen use efficiency are also the main causes for low yields in the rainfed farming.
Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient and a limiting factor for plant growth in most soils. The
rising human population, especially in developing countries, has led to agricultural
intensification with a high input of reactive N from chemical fertilizers. But the nitrogen use
efficiency was low in general and in rainfed regions in particular. Improper time of application
of nitrogen fertilizer results in low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and gaseous losses of nitrous
oxide (N 2 O) and ammonia (NH 3 ). Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) with global
warming potential of 298 times greater than CO 2 emission. Nitrification and denitrification
are the major biological processes responsible for N2O production. N 2 O levels in the
atmosphere are raising at an alarming rate and are likely to quadruple by 2050. Hence suitable
measures are required to reduce such emissions and increase the nitrogen fertilizer use
efficiency. Arresting nitrification could be an important strategy to improve nitrogen (N)
recovery and agronomic N use efficiency where the loss of N is significant and leads to
environmental pollution. Nitrification inhibitor could lower N 2 O emission and increase the
crop productivity by reducing nitrification rate and increasing NUE through enhanced NH + 4
uptake. Though chemicals known to inhibit nitrifies and have been tested, but many of these
chemicals use is not practical because of their high cost, limited availability, negative impact
on beneficial soil microorganisms, and above all, poor extension and promotional activities
are major constraints in this respect. Therefore, it is essential to develop plant-based
nitrification inhibitors (natural nitrification inhibitors, NNI) for augmenting nitrogen use
efficiency, crop productivity, and for safe guarding the environment. The advantages of NNI
Resilience through land and water management interventions, water management and governance
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