Eco-friendly nutrient management approaches for sustainable organic fodder production in cowpea-maize cropping sequence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v70i4.6883Keywords:
Green fodder yield, Dry matter, Crude protein, Organic, Soil health, EconomicsAbstract
Conventional farming relies on synthetic fertilizers for immediate nutrient release and availability, but their longterm use can degrade soil quality and reduce microbial activity. Organic amendments, such as farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and bio-compost, offer a viable alternative by improving soil health, enhancing microbial diversity, and ensuring sustained nutrient release. This study evaluated eco-friendly nutrient management approaches for sustainable organic fodder production in cowpea-maize cropping sequence. The results revealed that the highest green fodder yield in maize (425.9 t/ha) and cowpea (25.99 t/ha) was observed under 100% Recommended Rate of Nitrogen (RRN) through inorganic fertilizers, though the combined application of 50% RRN through FYM and 50% through bio-compost also demonstrated noteworthy yield performance. Crude protein content was highest under inorganic fertilizers (8.7% in maize), but organic treatments exhibited similar results, particularly in cowpea (19.0%). Soil health parameters, including microbial biomass and enzymatic activity, were significantly improved under organic amendments. Economically, 100% RRN through inorganic fertilizers recorded the highest net returns (`85,797/ha) and B:C ratio (2.93), however, the organic treatment (50% RRN through FYM + 50% bio-compost) emerged as a sustainable and profitable alternative. These findings suggest that integrating organic sources can sustain high productivity while enhancing soil fertility and long-term economic viability.
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