Effect of Different Cropping Sequences on Dehydrogenase Activity of Three Sodic Soils

Dehydrogenase activity (DRA) of highly deteriorated sodic soils was determined under rice-and sorghum-based cropping sequences at three sites viz. Gudha, Kaithal and Saraswati Forest Range of Raryana. The activity was greater under rice-based than under sorghum-based cropping sequences. Within rice-based cropping sequences, rice-berseem showed the maximum DRA than other sequences. After three years of cropping, a 73 per cent increase in DRA was observed with the addition of gypsum (50% G.R.) as compared with no-gypsum treatment. The overall DRA was slightly greater under crops when irrigated with canal water than sodic water. A progressive increase in DRA was observed with the active growth stage of the plant up to 90 days after rice transplanting. At rice harvest, the increase in DBA over control soil (0–0.15 m) was 135, 79 and 125 per cent under CSR-10, Jaya and Basmati-370, respectively. Overall DRA decreased with the increase in soil depth.