Studies on Spatial Compatffiility, Nutrient Need and Topping in Green Gram (Piwseolus Radiatus L.) + Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.) Intercropping System

Abstract

Among being pulses green gram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) occupy prominent position with respective area of 3.33 and 3.56 mha and annual production of 1.24 and 2.52 mt in India. However declining trend in per capita daily availability of pulses ( 69 g in 1960 to 32 gin 2007) vis -a- vis W.H.O. nonns (80g per day) are great concern to the scientific community (Lal et a/., 1983). Thus the investigation involving fertilizer concept (02) and topping in pigeon pea (02) and their combinations (24) was carried out on green gram + pigeon pea intercropping during kharief 2007 and 2008 on sandy loam soil with neutral reaction, low in organic carbon and nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium at C.R.C., Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. Cropping systems included green gram as base crop pigeon pea as intercrop in I: I ,2: I, 3: I row ratios in additive and replacement series. Fertilizer included application on area basis and row basis. Topping was practiced only in pigeon pea. The treatments were tested in split plot design keeping combinations ( 12) of cropping systems and fertilizer concepts in main plot and topping (02) in sub plot with three replications. The crops was planted on June, 27 during 2007 and 25, June during 2008 and raised with recommended production package. The crop perfonned better in 2008 compared to 2007 due to favorable weather condition. Growth yield and nutrient uptake by the components crop (green gram an pigeon pea) exhibited significant variation under different cropping systems. In general systems perfonnance was better in additive series though a contrarily findings was recorded in respect of component crops particularly irrespective of performance of individual plants. Green gram yield was highest in 3: I ratio in additive series and lowest yield I: I ratio in replacement series and pigeon pea yield was highest in 1:1 ratio in additive series and lowest yield 3:1 ratio in replacement series (1 :1) ratio in replacement series. Highest green gram yield equivalent recorded with (green gram + pigeon pea) in (I: I) row ratio in additive and thus fetch highest mean returns (Rs 40712) with highest land equivalent ratio (LER (1.42) lowest being gram yield equivalent, mean returns and land equivalent ratio (LER) were noted with 3: I ratio in replacement series. The crops when fertilized with due attention to their population pressure (row basis) perfonned better over fertilizer application on area basis such improvement was 12.2 and 21 % in green gram and pigeon pea respectively. The improvement was attributed to better growth and yield attributes. Topping in pigeon pea had a favorable effect on yield attributes ie dry matter accumulation and branch per plant and yield of pigeon pea whereas adverse though in significant effect was recorded on green gram. Green gram yield equivalent, mean returns and land equivalent ratio (LER) were recorded to be 11.8, and I, 12 with topping as against. Residual effect on soil fertility was recorded to be in significant however a positive balance irrespective of treatments was observed in respect of organic carbon, available N and available P but negative one for available K as compared to initial. Results fl'a~~hat in~e.rcropping of pigeon pea with green gram in I: I row ratio in additive series resulted in better utthzation of inputs and natural resources giving highest green gram yield equivalent, mean returns and land equivalent ratio (LER) though it was closely followed by the systems with 2: I row ratio in additive