Effect of different agricultural practices on yield, profitability and soil properties under maize (Zea mays) – barley (Hordeum vulgare) cropping system

Abstract

The present study was conducted to quantify the effects of natural, organic, and integrated farming methods on yield, profit, and soil properties of maize (Zea mays) + soybean (Glycine max) – barley (Hordium vulgare) + vegetable pea (Pisum sativum) cropping system. The mean data of two years recorded 54% and 62% higher maize yield and net profit with applied NPK+FYM. Such increase in yield and net profit of barley was 48% and 47%. Soil properties showed a significant improvement due to applied NPK+FYM over FP and observed an increase of 23%, 14%, 8%, 30% and 16% for soil OC, MBC, available N, P and K, respectively. The availability of micronutrients in soil was maximum under organic and SPNF practice than other treatments. The study also revealed that SPNF practice was statistically at par with FP but these were found inferior to rest of the practices suggesting that natural and organic farming need to be practice for a longer period for better yield, profit, and soil environment.