Influence of Rice Residue Management on Sunflower Growth, Bulk Density and Moisture Content of Soil in a Rice-sunflower Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted during 2022-23 and 2023-24 to assess the impact of kharif rice residue management on sunflower growth and soil bulk density and moisture content in a rice-sunflower cropping system on Alfisols using a randomized block design. Results indicated that the highest dry matter accumulation per plant (20.59 g plant⁻¹) was observed in the treatment involving straw incorporation with a C:N:P ratio adjusted to 30:1:0.3 prior to incorporation (T7), outperforming residue removal (T2) and burning (T1) treatments. Bulk density (BD) was highest (1.38 Mg m⁻³) in residue removal and burning treatments with RDF application and lowest (1.34 Mg m⁻³) in residue retention with zero tillage sunflower and RDF (T3). Additionally, the higher gravimetric moisture (GM) content was recorded in treatments with a C:N:P ratio adjustment of 30:1:0.3 before incorporation, while the lowest GM content was observed in residue removal with RDF application.