Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges & Opportunities
during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
T4a-37P-1318
Influence of Natural Farming on Soil Properties, Crop Protection and
Production of Quality Produce in Sugarcane
K.V. Ramana Murthy, Dr M. Bharathalakshmi, Ch. S. Rama Lakshmi, M. Visalakshi,
P. Kishore Varma and D. Adilakshmi
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalli-531001, Andhra Pradesh
The increased and often indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides immensely harmed
biological activity of the soil rendering it almost lifeless in vast areas. Agriculture production has
tended to remain either stagnant or is declining despite application of high-cost inputs in large
number of agricultural zones. Agriculture production despite troughs due to drought and aberrant
weather conditions showed remarkable resilience but the quantum jump in production is
conspicuous by its absence. Experts attribute this stagnation to destruction of soil health due to
application of fertilizers and pesticides. Hence, this study was formulated to validate the natural
farming practices in sugarcane + pulse intercropping for sustained soil and crop productivity in
sugarcane.
Methodology
A field trial was taken up during 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Regional Agricultural Research
Station, Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh in sandy clay loam soils, The pH of the soil was 7.22, EC
0.27 dS m -1 . The soil was low in available nitrogen (188 kg/ha), medium in available phosphorus
(72 kg/ha) and high in available potassium (223 kg/ha). The micronutrient availability of zinc
was 0.97 ppm, Copper 2.32 ppm, Manganese 14.58 ppm and Iron 10.15 ppm. The treatments
were T1-Integrated Crop Management (University recommendation), T2-Natural Farming and
Organic Farming and T3-Palekar’s Zero Based Natural Farming (ZBNF) replicated thrice. The
test variety was a short duration sugarcane variety 2009 A 252 (Naveen).
The weather
conditions that prevailed during the growth period of sugarcane during these two years were
congenial for the crop growth. A rainfall of1670.5 mm during 2020-21 and 1306. 4 mm during
2021-22 was received with rainy days of 72 and 69 days respectively. The protocol was followed
as per gelines for the three systems of cultivation.
Results
During 2020-21 in plant crop and in 2021-22 in ratoon crop, with respect to the soil physico
chemical properties, available phosphorus and potassium, Zinc and Iron were higher in ICM
while available nitrogen, Fe and Mn were high with OF & NF. Soil microbial population
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