Question
Asked 6 May 2024

What are the essential data and calculations to be taken for the research that aims to increase soil Organic matter using mungbean as cover crop?

I am a researcher of Soil science department. 5 months ago I had planted wheat for my research. The research design was split plot design. it has 3 replications, each replication has 2 main plot treatment: Farm yard manure @20t/ha and Biochar @ 20t/ha, and each main plot had 5 treatments:
T1: no N fertilizer,
T2: 100% recommended dose of Prilled urea
T3: 50% recommended dose of Prilled urea
T4: 100% recommended dose of Neem coated urea
T5: 50% recommended dose of Neem Coated Urea
after harvesting of wheat crops, there were wheat crop stubbles left 20 cm above the ground level. The wheat crop residues were not removed and incorporated in the soil after harvesting in April 12. Now in April 20 I had planted Mungbean in the same research trial, and no external fertilizers are used and is grown under residual nutrients of previous planting. The temperature here is 42 degree celcius during sowing of mungbean. I had been thinking to use mungbean as a green manure to increase soil fertility and ground cover in irrigated condition.

All Answers (3)

Raghad Mouhamad
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
you would need to consider the following data and calculations:
  1. Mungbean Growth and Yield: Measure the growth and yield of the mungbean crop. This includes the above-ground biomass1 and the yield of the mungbean seeds2.
  2. Soil Organic Matter: Determine the initial and final levels of soil organic matter. Soil organic matter is often a measure of a soil’s fertility, and even a soil’s resilience3.
  3. Cover Crop Biomass: Measure the biomass of the cover crops before they are desiccated1.
  4. Weed Biomass: Remove and measure the biomass of weeds at different times during the growth of the mungbean crop2.
  5. Nutrient Uptake: Assess the nutrient uptake by the mungbean crop. This could be influenced by the application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers4.
  6. Land-Equivalent Ratio (LER): Calculate the LER of the mungbean crop when intercropped with other crops. The LER is a measure of the relative efficiency of intercropping compared to monocropping2.
  7. Seed Rates: Experiment with different seed rates of mungbean to determine the optimal rate for intercropping2.
Remember, the specific data and calculations you need may vary depending on the specifics of your research question and the conditions of your study site. Always consult with a soil scientist or agronomist to ensure your research design is robust and appropriate for your study. Good luck with your research! 😊
1 Recommendation
Paul Milham
Western Sydney University
I agree with Raghad, but wonder if you should also carefully consider the soil C fractions that you measure, and how frequently a;l the measures should be made. It may take years to have measurable effects, Paul.
1 Recommendation
Raghad Mouhamad
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
For a research project aiming to increase soil organic matter using mungbean as a cover crop, you would need to collect and analyze a variety of data. Here are some key data points and calculations that you might consider:
1. **Soil Organic Matter (SOM) Levels**: Before starting the experiment, you should measure the initial levels of organic matter in the soil. This can be done using various laboratory methods such as loss-on-ignition or wet oxidation¹. After the mungbean crop has grown and decomposed, you should measure the SOM levels again to see if there has been an increase.
2. **Mungbean Biomass**: Measure the biomass of the mungbean crop at various stages of growth. This can give you an idea of how much organic matter the mungbeans are adding to the soil¹.
3. **Nitrogen Fixation**: Mungbeans, like other legumes, can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. You might want to measure the amount of nitrogen that the mungbeans are adding to the soil².
4. **Soil Health Parameters**: Other soil health parameters such as pH, nutrient levels (N, P, K, etc.), and soil structure should also be monitored. Changes in these parameters can affect the decomposition of the mungbean residues and the incorporation of organic matter into the soil¹.
5. **Crop Yield**: If the mungbeans are being grown as a cover crop in between main crops, you might also want to measure the yield of the main crop. An increase in SOM could improve soil fertility and increase crop yield¹.
6. **Statistical Analysis**: Once you have collected all your data, you will need to perform statistical analysis to determine if the changes you observe are significant. This could involve calculations such as t-tests or analysis of variance (ANOVA), depending on your experimental design¹.
Remember, the specific data and calculations you need might depend on your specific research questions and objectives. It's always a good idea to consult with a soil scientist or agronomist when designing your experiment. Good luck with your research!
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