Effect of Nitrogen Levels on Mustard + Chickpea Intercroppings System
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Date
2001
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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Abstract
The research work on intercropping has mostly focused on the suitable spatial arrangement and nutrient levels on mustard + chickpea intercropping system. Merge attention has been paid to nitrogen level in isolation which is also an important aspect of intercropping system as the component crops arc are different in nature of growth and nitrogen needs. Therefore this study was carried out on the effect of nitrogen levels on mustard + chickpea intercropping system during the rabi (winter) season of 1998-99 on a rainfed upland sandy loam soil of Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Ranchi.
The experiment was laid in Split Plot Design in intercropping of mustard + chickpea with two ratio (1:1 and 2:1 row ratio) which constituted main plot and three levels of nitrogen (control (no fertilizer), 20 kg nitrogen and 40 kg nitrogen per hectare). A uniform dose of phosphoric @ 40 kg POs ha in the form of SSP and K,O 20 kg ha¹ as muriate of potash was applied at the time of sowing. In addition to intercropping two sole crops of mustard and chickpea were allocated randomly in each replication for comparison. Salient features of the results of the experiment are given below.
The assessment of the row ratio and yield advantages revealed that through the yield attributes, yield per se of component crops in intercropping system were reduced as compared to those of the sole crops, the combined equivalent yield of component crop in intercropping system exceeded the higher sole crop yield.
The periodic plant height of mustard was not influenced by intercropping system, the maximum height (127 cm) of mustard was recorded at harvest, while the levels of nitrogen greatly influenced the height of mustard plants. The maximum height of mustard was obtained with the application of 40, kg per hectare N which was significantly more than that obtained with other treatments. Similar results were also obtained at 60 and 75 days after sowing. Yield components (primary and secondary branches, seeds/siliquae pod, siliquae or pod per plant and 1000-seed weight) were influenced by intercropping and level of nitrogen.
The yield of the component corps, in intercropping systems, reduced as compared to those of the sole crops. The combined equivalent yield of component crop in intercropping system exceeded the sole crop yield.
The intercropping system (mustard + chickpea 1:1) was the best from yield (equivalent yield 1776 kg/ha), Economic return (Rs.22,095/ha) and bio-energetic (Energy use efficiency by grain 3.02) point of view.
Application of 40 kg nitrogen per hectare gave maximum equivalent yield (1850 kg/ha), economic return (Rs.23,173/ha) and bio-energetic (Energy use efficiency by grain 2.79). Although sole chickpea produced the highest net return (Rs.33,180/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (5.99).
Sole chickpea left more available nitrogen in soil as compared to that recorded in intercropping system, which was followed by the intercropping of mustard + chickpea (1:1 row ratio). Under different nitrogen levels, application of 40 kg nitrogen left more available nitrogen than any other treatments. There was no effect on availability of phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon. Moreover, the availability of potassium and phosphorus was maximum in control plots.
The experimental results and economic analysis of the experiment indicated that sale crop of chickpea in upland rainfed situation of plateau region of Jharkhand showed best performance. Among the intercropping systems, mustard + chickpea (2:1 row ratio) can profitably be replaced by mustard + chickpea (1:1 row ratio) intercropping system.
The application of 40 kg nitrogen gave the maximum net return which was at par with the application of 20 kg nitrogen per hectare.