Effect of Integrated Nutrient Application in Chickpea+Mustard Intercropping System in the Semi‐arid Tropics of North India

Abstract

Chickpea+mustard is a prominent intercropping system in Indian sub continent. The majority of the farmers adopt this system under resource constraint conditions. The integrated applications of fertilizers with organic compost and biofertilizers are considered essential for the sustainability of a system. Looking to lack of information on this aspect, a study was undertaken on ‘Typic Ustochrept’ soils found commonly in the North Plain Zone of India. Results revealed that integrated nutrient application (INA) [50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)+FYM at 5 t ha−1+biofertilizers (Rhizobium+PSB)] significantly enhanced average plant height, crop biomass, leaf area index, number and dry weight of root nodules of chickpea and plant height and crop biomass in mustard as compared to control. INA also produced significantly more grain and biological yield of chickpea and mustard and more chickpea equivalent yield (2664 kg ha−1) and net return (US $617 ha−1) as compared to control grown under intercropping system. INA also significantly increased the NPK content in shoot and grain of chickpea and mustard as compared to control causing significantly higher total uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in chickpea and mustard. This treatment also made available more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil after the harvest of crop in comparison to chickpea+mustard intercropping system under moisture stress conditions.