Direct and residual effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer application in brinjal + onion - cowpea - sunnhemp cropping system

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted in a north western agroclimatic zone, Tamil Nadu to study the direct and residual effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer application on intensive vegetable based cropping system for two consecutive years 2017-18 and 2018-19. Brinjal was intercropped with onion during kharif followed by cowpea in Rabi whereas, sunnhemp was broadcasted after the harvest of preceding crop without land preparation as a summer season crop. Highest Brinjal Equivalent Yield (BEY) of 35.37 t/ha and 38.99 t/ha for the first and second year, respectively for brinjal intercropped with onion was recorded from vermicompost at 5t/ha with 100 per cent RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizer) plot. Higher yield in cowpea was recorded with 100 per cent RDF plot compared to 75 and 50 per cent RDF plot. Higher B:C ratio (4.51) and (6.85) was recorded with FYM at 12.5 t/ha +100% RDF plot during 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively.