Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity and economics of foodfodder cropping system

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana for 5 consecutive years (2005-06 to 2009-10) to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on productivity and economics in mung (Phaseolus aureus) - fodder oats (Avena sativa) - bajra (Pennisetum glaucum) + cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) fodder cropping system. In the initial years of the study (2005-06 and 2006-07), 100 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) was significantly superior to rest of the treatments. In the later years the soil fertility in the farm yard manure (FYM) treatments improved resulting in almost equal fodder and grain yield of the crops in sequence. In the final year of the study, higher green fodder and grain yields of the cropping sequence were obtained with 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM as compared to 100 % RDF. The average of five years data indicated that the green fodder yield of oat and pearl millet + cowpea and grain yield of mung and fodder equivalent yield recorded with 100 % RDF and 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM were at par. The 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM recorded the highest fodder equivalent yield followed by 100 % RDF. The highest monetary returns (Rs.57985/ ha) and B: C ratio (1.68) were obtained with 100% RDF closely followed by 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM (Rs. 57466/ha net returns and 1.63 B: C ratio).