Effect of manuring of legume intercrop on yield, N uptake and economics of maize – wheat cropping system under UKP command

Abstract

An investigation was carried out during kharif and rabi seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at Agricultural Research Station, Bheemarayanagudi to find out the effect of green and brown manuring on yield and N uptake by maize – wheat cropping system under UKP command. The grain yield of maize (55.35 q ha-1) was significantly higher with sunnhemp as green manuring in 1:2 row proportions compared to sole maize (60 cm x 20 cm) without manuring (43.85 q ha-1) and it was found on par with sunnhemp, cowpea and dhaincha as brown manuring in 1:1 and 1: 2 row proportions in maize. The residual effect of legume species used as green and brown manuring in preceeding maize was affected significantly on succeeding wheat crop and maintained same trend as that of maize. Varying levels of N did not vary on the performance of wheat. The maximum uptake of N was noticed with sunnhemp as green manuring in 1:2 row proportion followed by sunnhemp as brown manuring 1:2 row proportions in maize – wheat cropping system. Therefore, these treatments resulted in lesser net loss/ gain in N content in soil. The lowest uptake of N and higher net loss/ gain in N content in soil was recorded in sole maize (60 cm x 20 cm) - wheat sequence. The higher net returns and B:C ratio were observed with these treatments compared to sole maize (60 cm x 20 cm) - wheat sequence.