Author(s): A. KUNDU, S. SAHA, J. MURMU, J. DEY SARKAR AND P. K. BANDYOPADHYAY

Abstract: Purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of conservation agricultural (CA) practices on soil water retention parameters (moisture content at saturation, á, n, residual water content) of soils of the lower Indo- Gangetic Plains of West Bengal. The split plot experimental design was followed as 3 tillage systems [conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and zero tillage (ZT)] were assigned in main plots, and 3 combinations of residue and nutrient treatments [0% rice residue+100% RDF fertilization, 100% residue+75% RDF fertilization and 50% residue+75% RDF fertilization] were assigned in sub-plots. ZT resulted in the lowest moisture content at saturation and lowest á causing a higher degree of water retention at a particular tension. Moreover, a higher n value at ZT and residue retained plots can be implied as soils with better pore-size distribution and pore connectivity. Thus, it can be concluded that CA practices improved water retention properties of soil by influencing van Genuchten parameters and contributed to higher soil water retention.

DOI: 10.22271/09746315.2023.v19.i2.1713

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