Abstract
To explore the improvement in productivity of the pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system and soil health, a field experiment was conducted in 2023-24 and 2024-25 with legume-based integrated nutrient management (INM) practices. The experiment was originated in a loamy sand soil at Bawal (Haryana), India, consisted of 8 treatments, viz. absolute control (T1), recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through urea (T2), RDN through FYM (T3), recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF: T4), 75% RDF and 25% RDN through FYM (T5), T5 + pearl millet substituted with mung bean in 2024-25(T6), 50% RDF, 50% RDN through FYM (T7), and T7 + pearl millet substituted with mung bean in 2024-25 (T8). During wheat, T1 to T3 were the same as in pearl millet; however, in treatments T4 to T8, 100% RDF was applied. Performance of both pearl millet and wheat in treatments receiving 75% RDF and 25% RDN through FYM (T5 and T6) was comparable to the treatment receiving 100% RDF and significantly better than all other treatments. Substitution of pearl millet with mung bean exhibited higher pearl millet equivalent seed yield over their respective treatments without legume inclusion. After two annual cycles of pearl millet-wheat rotation, SOC, as an index of soil health, was significantly higher in all treatments receiving FYM (T3, T5, T6, T7, and T8) than in the control. Highest nutrient availability (151.2, 23.2, and 226.3 kg ha-1 for available N, P, and K, respectively) was observed in treatment T6. Among multifarious treatments, the addition of 75% RDF and 25% N as FYM demonstrated higher dissolved organic C (DOC), soil enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase and urease), and microbial biomass (MBC and MBN), and these microbiological parameters were further improved with the substitution of pearl millet by mung bean. Principal component analysis revealed that PC1 contributed the most to overall variability and showed the highest factor loading for available P (0.336), closely followed by DOC (0.335) and available N (0.334). Overall, INM with 75% RDF and 25% RDN as FYM, or replacing pearl millet with mung bean in Kharif, and 100% RDF in wheat in Rabi showed promise in both yield and soil health.
Subjects
- Ecology
- Environmental sciences
- Plant sciences
Acknowledgements
We thank the Head, Department of Soil Science and authorities of Regional Research Station, Bawal (Rewari) and Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana (India) for providing the guidance, financial and necessary laboratory facilities.
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No, this research did not receive funding.
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Prakash, D., Sheoran, S., Singh, R. et al. Enhancing productivity and soil health in pearl millet-wheat cropping system with legume based integrated nutrient management.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-65073-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-65073-8
Keywords
- Cropping system
- Soil carbon
- Microbiological properties
- Crop productivity
- Nutrient uptake
Source: Ecology - nature.com
