Organic, integrated and chemical farming in wheat (Triticum aestivum) under maize (Zea mays)-wheat cropping system

Abstract

A field experiment with organic vs chemical farming with maize (Zea mays L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) system was initiated during 199G97. On the same field, the investigation was expanded to organic (pure), integrated (partial) and chemical farming systems during winter seasons of 2001-02 and 2002- 03 and was conducted at the experimental farm, Ludhiana, on sandy-loam irrigated soil. In maize-wheat se- quence, on an average M2,-M2,-RI [FYM 20 tonneslha each to maize and wheat and incorporation of residues (RI)], MI,-MI,-GM, RI (GM-green manuring before maize), Rec.-GM-RI (Rec.-recommended chemical fertilizers) and Rec.-GM-RO (RO-residue removed); pure and partial organic farming treatments gave 12.4, 8.3, 8.0 and 5.9% higher wheat grain yield than the Rec. treatment. M2,-M2,-RI and MI,-MI,-GM-RI (pure organic), Rec.-GM- RI and Rec.-GM-RO (partial organic) treatments produced significantly higher plant height, dry-matter accumula- tion, leaf-area index, PAR1 (%), effective tillers/m2, ear length, number of grainslear and recorded higher root density and SPAD readings and also showed less canopy and soil temperature as compared to Rec. treatments.