Evaluating productivity and sustainability of linseed through conservation agricultural practices under rice based cropping system

The rice-linseed cropping system holds promise for enhancing sustainability and resource use efficiency in Chhattisgarh, India. Conservation agriculture (CA) practices like zero tillage and integrated nutrient management are potential strategies to optimize productivity and soil health in such systems. The study aimed to evaluate the productivity, resource-use efficiency, and sustainability of linseed under different conservation agricultural practices in a rice-based cropping system. The experiment was conducted at the Research-cum-Instructional Farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh over three years (2018-2021) across kharif and rabi seasons. A randomized block design (RBD) was used during the kharif season (rice), and a split-split plot design was employed in the rabi season (linseed). Treatments included combinations of tillage (conventional and zero tillage) and nutrient management (RDF, RDF + FYM, and integrated RDF) for both rice and linseed. Significant residual effects of rice management practices were observed on linseed growth and yield attributes. The combination of conventional tillage-direct seeded rice (CT-DSR) with 100% RDF + 2 t ha-1 FYM yielded the highest system productivity, nutrient uptake and economic returns in linseed. Zero tillage with residue retention using a happy seeder improved soil organic carbon and nutrient content, while conventional tillage increased bulk density and nutrient uptake. Among nutrient applications in linseed, 100% RDF + FYM proved most effective for growth, yield and profitability. Conservation agriculture practices, particularly CT-DSR with integrated nutrient management, significantly enhanced the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the rice-linseed system. The residual effects of preceding rice practices and appropriate nutrient strategies are crucial for optimizing linseed performance under conservation agriculture.