Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millisp.] Based Inter-cropping System under Rainfed Condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2013−14 and 2014−15 at agronomy research farm, Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India on silty loam soils as influence of integrated nutrient management in Pigeonpea based inter-cropping system. The treatments comprised of three intercropping systems of Pigeonpea sole, Pigeonpea+black-gram and Pigeonpea+maize with four different integrated nutrient management’s levels. On the basis of two years results, Pigeonpea with black gram intercropping systems recorded significantly superior Pigeonpea grain yield (18.65 and 15.82 q ha^-1), Pigeonpea equivalent yield (25.35 and 23.47 q ha^-1), microbial population in cfu g^-1 dry soil, such as Bacteria (11.65 and 11.62), Actinomyceties (7.62 and 7.50), Fungi 6.07 and 5.92) and Dehydrogenase  activity (17.02 and 15.94 µg TPF g^-1 h^-1), gross returns (10460 and 102061 ha^-1), net returns (68872 and 70170 ha^-1) and B:C ratio (2.18 and 2.20), respectively as compared to sole Pigeonpea and Pigeonpea+maize intercropping. Among the INM practices, application of RDF+PSB+Rhizobium+FYM @ 3 t ha^-1+Harit Vardan@ 5 kg ha^-1 prove effective and  recorded significantly higher Pigeonpea grain yield and equivalent yield, microbial population and Dehydrogenase  activity in soil. Similarly, highest gross returns (92356 and 93467 ha^-1), net return (61389 and 52197 ha^-1) was found in N₄.