Soil carbon dynamics effect on growth and yield of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) with varying tillage practices

Heavy tillage practices to conserve moisture from monsoon rains are common in rainfed regions. Rainfed regions have wheat (Triticum aestivum) as a main crop while rest of the year minor crops are grown such as lentil. Heavy tillage practices not only destroyed the soil structure but also caused loss of carbon. This study was designed to investigate impact of different tillage practices on yield of lentil (Lens culinaris) and carbon dynamics. Three tillage practices were considered as: T1 = 6 cultivations (Control), T2 = moldboard plough + 2 cultivations, T3 = chisel plough + 2 cultivations. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications to investigate the impact of tillage practices on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the yield of lentil crop. Results indicated that during both the years (2018–2019), moldboard plough with 2 cultivations (T2) reduced CO2 emission (40.28%), DOC (22.58%) and SOC (51.07%) and increased lentil yield (56.39%) as compared to control. Results of soil carbon monitoring indicated that use of moldboard and chisel plough along with 2 cultivations before the onset of monsoon under rainfed conditions can reduce CO2 emission and improve the yield compared to conventional tillage practices. Results of the experiment suggest the farmers of the rainfed area that they should use moldboard and chisel plough along with 2 cultivations before the onset of monsoon so that CO2 emission can be minimized, and they can get more better yield compared to conventional tillage practices which causes loss of CO2 and nutrients.