Performance of fodder maize (Zea mays)-based cropping system in a farming systems approach in western zone of Tamil Nadu
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v49i1.5146Keywords:
Farming systems, Cropping systems, Manure recycling, Residual effectAbstract
An experiment was conducted on Vertisols of the western zone of Tamil Nadu with an enterprise combination of pigeon, goats, buffaloes, agroforestry and farm pond apart from cropping during July 2000-March 2002. The manure generated from the goat and buffalo enterprises integrated in the system was composted and recycled to the cropping system of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) + fodder cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.1-chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) + coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) at 100% and 75% production levels, to study the effect of the source and quantity of the manure on the yield attributes, yield and economics of the crops. Highest maize fodder equivalent yield (1 00.58 and 96.31 tonneslha) was obtained with the application of composted buffalo manure at 100% production level as a result of nutrient build up and better release over time. Greater residual ef- fect of organic manure application was also recorded in terms of higher yield of chickpea and coriander. Highest net returns of R s 23,763 and benefit : cost ratio of 1.35 was recorded in this treatment. Recycling of manure pro- duced in the system to the crop enterprise also reduced the cost of cultivation.References
Babhulkar, P.S., Wandile, R.M., Badole, W.P. and Balpande, S.S. 2000. Residual effect of long term application of FYM and fertilizers on soil properties (vertisols) and yield of soybean. Jountal ofIndian Society of Soil Sciences 48(1) : 89-92.
Edwards, P., Pullin, R.S.V. and Gartncr, J.A. 1988. Research and education for the development of crop-livestock-fish farm-ing systems in the tropics. ICLARM Studies and Reviews, No. 16.
Gaur, A.C., Neelakantan, S. and Dargan, K.S. 1995. Organic nznn~rres.pp.1-153. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
Ketkar, C.M. 1993. Riogas slurry utilization. Consortium of Rural Technology, New Delhi, pp. 20-22.
Mahapatra, I.C. and Bapat, S.C. 1992. Farming systems research: challenges and opportunities. (In) PI-oceedings of XI1 Na- tionul Syrnposiurn on Resource Management for Sustained Crop Production, held at Bikaner during 25-28 February 1992, pp. 382-390.
Muthuvel, P., Santhi, R. and Mathan, K.K. 1990. Soil fertility under continuous rotational cropping of cotton-pearl millet in a dryland vertisol. Madras Agricultural Joun7al77(1) :48-50.
