Integrated nutrient management in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)+hickpea (Cicer arietinum) cropping sequence under irrigated conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2001-02 and 2002-03 at Rahuri, Maharashtra, to study the effect of integrated nutrient management in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moenchl-chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) crop- ping sequence under irrigation. Application of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + farmyard manure (FYM) + biofertilizer [Azospirillum and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB)] gave significantly higher plant height, dry mater, yield attributes and grain and fodder yields of sorghum, and was on a par with application of 100% RDF through inorganics alone showing 25% saving of nutrients. The residual effect of application of 5 tonnes FYMIha to preceding sorghum resulted in significantly higher growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea owing to 100% RDF to chickpea and at par with that of 50% RDF showing 50% saving of nutrients. The net monetary returns and benefit : cost (B : C) ratio of a sequence were significantly higher owing to 100% RDF which were at par with that of 75% RDF + FYM + biofertilizer. The fertilizer levels to chickpea showed the highest net monetary owing to 100% RDF and highest B : C ratio owing to 50% RDF. Significantly higher nutrient bal- ance was recorded because of 75 % RDF + FYM + biofertilizers applied to sorghum and 100% RDF applied to chickpea.