Effect of complementary intercropping and organic amendments on productivity and profitability in sodic soil

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted to identify productive and profitable complementary intercropping combined with graded dose of fertilizers with organic amendments in sodic soil. The treatments consist of three complementary intercropping and five graded dose of fertilizers with organic amendments. Complementary intercropping, maize + cowpea + daincha recorded higher maize equivalent yield, water productivity, net return and B: C ratio. The daincha was incorporated at 45 DAS. Regarding fertilizer dose and organic amendments, 75% recommended NPK through fertilizers + 25% N through decomposed poultry manure excelled in all the above parameters. In case of the combined effect, higher maize equivalent yield, net return, B: C ratio was recorded by maize + cowpea + daincha with 75% recommended NPK through fertilizers + 25% N through decomposed poultry manure. This was followed by maize + cowpea + daincha with 75% recommended NPK through fertilizers + 25% N through FYM and maize + cowpea + daincha with 50% recommended NPK through fertilizers + 50% N through decomposed poultry manure. Thus in sodic soil, complementary intercropping of maize + cowpea + daincha combined with application of 75% recommended NPK through fertilizers + 25% N through decomposed poultry manure may be recommended for enhanced productivity and profitability.