Enhanced pearl millet yield stability, water use efficiency and soil microbial activity using superabsorbent polymers and crop residue recycling across diverse ecologies

Under changing climate scenarios, developing sustainable adaptation strategies in agriculture will be obligatory. To understand the effect of carbohydrate-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and crop-residue mulch (CRM) on pearl millet productivity and water-use efficiency (WUE), field experiments were undertaken for three consecutive years at 11 different locations (representing ⁓30 % of the global pearl millet growing area). Eight treatments, namely, Control; CRM 5.0 t/ha; SAP 2.5 kg/ha; SAP 5.0 kg/ha; SAP 7.5 kg/ha; SAP 2.5 kg/ha + CRM 5.0 t/ha; SAP 5.0 kg/ha + CRM 5.0 t/ha and SAP 7.5 kg/ha + CRM 5.0 t/ha were evaluated. Co-application of CRM and SAP increased pearl millet grain and stover yield by up to ⁓45 % and ⁓36 %, respectively. Pearl millet responded significantly up to 2.5 kg/ha SAP application (with or without CRM) only. Further, soil microbial biomass carbon improved significantly with CRM (20 %) and SAP (10.9–12.1 %) individually and with simultaneous application of CRM and SAP (⁓30 %). Likewise, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and urease activities also improved significantly due to the co-use of CRM and SAP. Positive effects of CRM, SAP, and their co-application were also witnessed on soil microbial (bacterial, fungal, actinobacteria) populations and water-use efficiency (WUE) across environments. Among the locations, New Delhi and Aurangabad were the most desirable and stable ecologies, whereas Bikaner and Vijayapur remained the least consistent. Hence, to tackle the moisture-stress problem under pearl millet production systems and to achieve stable productivity, greater WUE and better soil microbial activity, CRM 5 t/ha in conjunction with SAP 2.5 kg/ha may be recommended across diverse ecologies. •Pearl millet is a climate resilient futuristic nutri-cereal crop.•Co-use of polymers and organic mulches assists in soil moisture conservation.•Moisture-conservation leads to reduced stress and enhanced soil microbial activity.•GGE tool helps to know the best and stable treatment across various interactions.