Assessment of Soil Respiration in Response to Decomposition of Different Crop Residues

Abstract

C: Nratio of crop residues is the key factor dictating the decomposition of crop residues and soil respiration. Crop residue incorporation is one of the best residue management options, which not only enhances soil health, but also reduces environmental pollution. Aim: To investigate the effects of various crop residues viz., paddy, sunflower, cotton and red gram on soil respiration. Study Design: Completely Randomized Design. Place and duration of study: Study was conducted for 120 days at soil science laboratory during the year 2023-24, School of Agriculture, SR university, Warangal. Methodology: An incubation study was conducted after pre-incubation. Soil respiration was measured by alkali trap method, at different days after incubation. Results: The results indicated that incorporating crop residues significantly increased soil respiration rates, with the highest CO₂ emissions observed in treatments with both residues and nitrogen. Among the treatments, soil with paddy residue and nitrogen showed the highest respiration rate, demonstrating the synergistic effect of residue incorporation and nitrogen addition in enhancing organic matter decomposition. The lowest soil respiration was recorded in soil alone (control) treatment throughout the incubation period. Conclusion: The study concludes that the incorporation of crop residues, especially when combined with nitrogen, significantly enhances soil respiration. The research provides critical insights for developing strategies that promote sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the need for residue retention and appropriate nutrient management to maximize soil productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.