This article Citation:

T. Ramprakash, B. Padmaja, Knight Nthebere, Vijaysree Chopde, J.S. Mishra and R.P. Dubey. 2024. Weed management and conservation agriculture in cotton-based systems: Implications on soil quality and climate change mitigation . Indian Journal of Weed Science : 56( ) 426- 438.







Editorial office:

Office Manager
Indian Society of Weed Science
ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research,
Maharajpur, Jabalpur, India 482 004
+91 9300127442 | iswsjbp@gmail.com

Publisher Address:

Secretary
Indian Society of Weed Science
ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research,
Maharajpur, Jabalpur, India 482 004
+91 9425412041 | dubeyrp@gmail.com

Volume Issue Publication year Page No Type of article
56 2024 426-438 Review article
Weed management and conservation agriculture in cotton-based systems: Implications on soil quality and climate change mitigation

T. Ramprakash, B. Padmaja, Knight Nthebere, Vijaysree Chopde, J.S. Mishra and R.P. Dubey

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5958/0974-8164.2024.00064.3

Email: trp.soil@gmail.com
Address: AICRP on Weed Management, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500030, India

Keywords:

Climate change, Conservation agriculture, Cotton, Soil quality, Weed management



Abstract:

Conservation agriculture (CA), characterized by reduced tillage, continuous soil cover through mulching or cover cropping, and crop rotation, is established as a sustainable approach for enhancing soil health and agricultural resilience, particularly in cotton-based systems. Several studies indicated that CA in cotton systems played a crucial role in climate mitigation by enhancing soil carbon sequestration and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. CA practices reportedly increased soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, which helped stabilize atmospheric CO2 Additionally, CA minimized energy-intensive inputs by reducing reliance on machinery, thereby further lowering CO2 emissions. With reduced tillage, weed management became more challenging but remained essential for productivity, soil health, and sustainability. Research showed that weed management practices in CA systems influenced soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. CA was found to improve physical attributes such as bulk density, soil structure, aggregation, and hydraulic conductivity, which enhanced porosity, root growth, and water infiltration. CA-based weed control helped in stabilizing the soil pH, reducing electrical conductivity, increasing cation exchange capacity, and enhancing SOC, thereby improving nutrient retention. Reliance on herbicides in CA-based cotton systems was shown to impact soil microbial diversity and enzyme activity, varying with herbicide type and frequency of application. Some herbicides temporarily inhibit soil microorganisms and enzyme functions (e.g., dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatases). However, mulching and organic residue retention in CA systems demonstrated positive effects on soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and microbial activity. CA practices gradually stored carbon by sequestering CO2 in SOC, thereby stabilizing carbon and supporting biodiversity.





Indexing Indexing & Abstracting Services