Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges & Opportunities
during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
(Azotobactor and Azospirillum) at grand growth stage was higher in OF&NF followed by ICM
whereas phosphorus solubilizers population was higher in ZBNF plots. Dehydrosenase and
urease activity were higher in OF&NF. Acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were higher
in ICM. Earth worm population at different growth stages was higher in ZBNF. Similar studies
by Singh and Srivastava, 2011 indicated that the highest enhancement in organic carbon content
at ratoon harvest was recorded in the treatment receiving 100 per cent N through organic +
biofertilizers + inter cropping of legume with rhizobium + pests/diseases control by either
synthetic pesticides or biopesticides. Incidence of YLD was 2.82 per cent in ICM, 1.1 percent in
OF and NF and 1.7 per cent in Palekar’s ZBNF. The cumulative incidence of ESB at 120 DAP
was more in ICM followed by OF and NF while it was lowest in Palekars ZBNF. The incidence
of INB was higher in Palekar’s ZBNF while it was lowest in ICM. Among three methods of
cultivation higher tiller population, stalk population, yield attributes and yield were higher with
ICM followed by OF and NF while the lowest cane yield) was recorded with Palekar’s ZBNF.
Application of FYM, cane trash, pressmud, vermicompost and biocompost in combination with
recommended inorganic fertilizers have recorded increased cane yield over inorganic fertilizer
alone, besides improving the soil fertility and economizing the cane production (Shilpa et al.,
2017).
Conclusion
From the mean data it can be interpreted that ICM gave the highest cane yield, sugar yield during both
years in plant and ratoon crop as well as compared to OF and NF and Palekar’s ZBNF methods.
Effect of Natural Farming on soil physicochemical properties in post harvest soils of Sugarcane
Particulars Initial ICM
NF &
OF
Mean of 2 years
ZBNF
pH 7.22 7.19 7.14 7.12
EC (dS/m) 0.27 0.245 0.232 0.211
OC (%) 0.61 0.61 0.64 0.64
Available Nitrogen (kg/ha) 188 207.5 213.75 196.87
Available Phosphorus (kg/ha) 72 77.25 76.32 74.41
Available Potassium (kg/ha) 223 234 234 223
Av. Zn (ppm) 0.97 0.89 0.89 0.85
Av. Cu (ppm) 2.32 2.94 2.52 2.58
Av. Mn (ppm) 14.58 15.49 16.44 13.92
Av. Fe (ppm) 10.15 12.92 13.61 13.50
649 | Page Resource conservation and rainfed agriculture