Crop residue and weed biomass incorporation with microbial inoculation improve the crop and soil productivity in the rice (Oryza sativa L.) -toria (Brassica rapa L.) cropping system

Agriculture residue can be converted as a nutrient resource to enhance the soil and crop productivity through their soil incorporation. The aim of the three years study was to know the response of crop residues and weed incorporation with the bio-inoculants in rice (Oryza sativa L.)–toria (Brassica rapa L. Var Toria) cropping system (RTCS). Experiment was imposed in split-plot, where main-plots have five residue management treatments viz; 50% weed biomass mixed (WBM) 2 t ha-1, 50% crop residues of rice (CRR) 2 t ha -1, 50% WBM 2 t ha-1 þ 50% CRR 2 t ha-1, 100% WBM 4 t ha-1 and 100% CRR 4 t ha-1 in toria, whereas in rice, each treatment received half of above biomass (WBM and CRR), while in the sub-plots two microbial decomposing agents, Trichoderma viridi (TV) 2 g kg -1 and Pleurotus sp. (PS) 20 g kg -1 as spawn seed. Results revealed that 50% WBM þ CRR considerably increase the rice grain yield (9.8–37.7%) and toria seed yield (15.3–31.5%) over the 100% CRR. Likewise, TV recorded higher yield of rice and toria. Incorporation of 100% CRR improves the bulk density and water content, while 100% WBM improved the soil pH (4.6–5.7%), available nitrogen (9.8–11.8%), available phosphorus (21.6–22.8%) and labile potassium to the extent of 7–11.3% than the 100% CRR. Contrarily, 100% CRR improved soil organic carbon by 7–8.6% over 50% WBM. The manuscript provides insight for improvement of crop productivity and improves the soil health indicator in existing rice-fallow cropping system. Crop reside and weed biomass convert as nutrient source, it will promote the soil and environmental sustainability indicators. This is a novel kind of study, such information is not available yet to policymakers and this will also help in modelling and simulation for sustainable production and diversification in the rice-based cropping systems.