Impact of Crop Residue Management on Soil Health under Rice- Wheat Cropping System in Southern Bihar, India

The study investigates the effects of paddy straw bale management on soil health and the productivity of a rice-wheat cropping system in Southern Bihar. Conducted from 2021 to 2023, the experiment involved four treatments: control (FP), tillage + recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), zero tillage (ZT) + mulching, and burning + ZT (RDF). Soil samples and crop yields were analyzed to evaluate physico-chemical properties, microbial activities, and economic viability. Results revealed that ZT + mulching significantly enhanced soil properties, including organic carbon, nutrient availability (NPK), and microbial activity, compared to other treatments. Grain and straw yields were highest under ZT + mulching for both rice (80.01 and 84.25 q ha-1) and wheat (53.4 and 57.35 q/ha), with improved plant height, panicle density, and grain quality. Economic analysis indicated the highest benefit-cost ratio under ZT + mulching (3.18 for rice and 2.92 for wheat). This sustainable practice demonstrated its potential to mitigate residue burning's negative impacts, enhance soil health, and boost productivity, offering a viable strategy for long-term agricultural sustainability in the region.