Abstract

Field experiments with ten cropping systems were evaluated during 2002 to 2006 at Soil and Water Management Research Institute, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India during Kharif (June to Sep), rabi (Oct to Jan) and summer seasons (Feb to Apr). The cropping systems were evaluated for their productivity, and to assess their effect on the soil organic carbon content and soil available nitrogen. Inclusion of legumes in the cropping system improved the organic carbon status of the soil. The cropping systems rice (Oryza sativa) – rice – blackgram (Vigna mungo), onion (Allium cepa) – rice – blackgram, groundnut (Arachis hypogea)– rice – blackgram and rice – rice – greengram, (Vigna radiata) improved the soil organic carbon content and soil available N status. Inclusion of blackgram and greengram in rice based cropping system increased the yield of succeeding crop of rice.

Key words: Cropping systems, soil organic carbon, soil available N.