Soil Properties and Nematode Population as Influenced by Cropping Sequence and Irrigation Methods

An experiment comprising four cropping sequences (fallow-wheat, maize-wheat, green gram-maize-wheat and green gram-maize potato-wheat) with three methods of irrigation (check-basin, furrow and alternate furrow) was conducted on a sandy loam, non-saline and well drained soil for two successive years. Crop sequence did not create any significant difference in organic matter content, electrical conductivity and nematode population in the plough layer of the soil. The soil was left richer in total nitrogen and available phosphate under green gram-maize-potato-wheat and green gram-maize-wheat rotations. The content of available potassium was not affected in three-crop sequence but higher amount of available K was observed under 400% cropping intensity. Soil pH decreased with the increase in cropping intensity. The bulk density of soil was adversely influenced by irrigation.