Effect of increased level of fertilizers on Bt cotton and green fodder yield under cotton + legume fodder intercropping system of western zone of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

A Field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2015-16 and 2016-17 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Veterinary College and Research Institute campus, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu to assess the performance of increased level of fertilizers on yield of Bt cotton and green fodder yield under intercropping situation as part of Ph.D., research programme. Cotton yield was significantly higher (2029 and 1507 kg ha-1) in the Bt cotton + moth bean intercropping system during both years experimentation and lower was recorded under Bt cotton + fodder cowpea intercropping system. Application of 150% RDF resulted that the significantly higher cotton yield of 1991 kg ha-1 and 1474 kg ha-1 during 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, respectively. But, intercropping of fodder cowpea with Bt cotton had higher seed cotton equivalent yield and net returns with application of 150% recommended dose of fertilizers. Fodder cowpea with application of 150% RDF produced higher green fodder yield 17407 and 14431 kg ha-1 during first and second year respectively. Lower fodder yield was recorded under Bt cotton + pillipesera with 100% RDF application and it recorded 2788 kg ha-1 and 1112 kg ha-1 during 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, respectively.