Production potential, soil health and economics of soybean (Glycine max)-linseed (Linum usitatissimum) cropping system under various nutrient-management protocols

The field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2015 to winter (rabi) season of 2020–21 at the research farm of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, to investigate the performance of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-linseed [Linum usitatissimum (L.)] cropping sequence and its effect on soil health. The treatments consisted of 6 nutrient- management protocols, viz. 100% organic, 75% organic + innovative, 50% organic + 50% inorganic, 75% organic + 25% inorganic, 100% inorganic and state recommendations, laid out in a randomized block design with 4 replications in permanent plots. Soybean cv. 1JS 3351 and linseed cv. 1JL 91 were grown with a recommended dose of N: P: K as 30: 26.2: 16.6 and 60: 17.5: 0 kg/ha respectively. Cattle dung manure (CDM), vermicompost and poultry manures were used to supply nitrogen in organic nutrient-management in 1: 1: 1 proportion and chemical fertilizers were applied as per treatments details. In the innovative practice, 10% vermiwash and 10% cow urine were sprayed at 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS). In integrated nutrient-management, nitrogen (N) was supplied through organic sources and remaining amount of N was broadcasted through chemical fertilizer. The pooled data revealed that, the soybean and linseed yields were 18.5 and 12.7% higher under organic nutrient management than the inorganic practices. The integrated nutrient-management practices (50% organic + 50% organic) also registered 6.7 and 5.1% higher yield of soybean and linseed than the recommended dose of fertilizer application respectively. The organic nutrient-management was reflected as economically viable practice as evident from benefit: cost ratio. The organic nutrient-management also showed significant increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil biological properties. Thus, the results indicated that the organic nutrient-management improved the soil health and increased the crop yield of soybean-linseed cropping system.