Integrated resource management improves soil glucosidase, urease, and phosphatase activities and soil fertility during rice cultivation in Indo-Gangetic plains

The sustainable cultivation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) without compromising yield is an emerging challenge. Field experiments were conducted at New Delhi, during 2007 and 2008 to investigate the effect of tillage, irrigation regimes, and integrated nutrient management practices on the soil enzymatic and microbial activities. The soil glucosidase (67.35%) and urease (106.75%) increased under conservation tillage compared with conventional tillage; largest increase was observed when a combination of 50% farm yard manure + 25% biofertilizer + 25% green manure (GM) was used in place of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) or when 25% RDN was replaced with biofertilizer or GM as nutrients in combination with conservation tillage and optimum water supply (three-irrigations) with a few exceptions. The present study has suggested that resource management practices significantly improved soil enzymatic and microbial activities under conservation tillage and optimal water supply which reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers and make rice cultivation sustainable.