Effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on soil quality indicators and indices under sorghum (Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench) + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) (4:2) and soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr) + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in rainfed Vertisols of Western India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of the All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture, Parbhani Center, located in Central and Western Maharashtra, India, to study the effect of 7 predominant integrated nutrient management (INM) practices viz., F1: FYM @ 5 t ha-1 ; F2: Gliricidia @ 3t ha-1 (semi dried); F3: Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF); F4: 25% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 ; F5: 25% RDF + Gliricidia @ 1.5 t ha-1 ; F6: Control with rotation and F7: Absolute control without rotation, on soil quality indicators and indices under two inter-cropping systems viz.,i) sorghum + pigeon pea (4:2), and ii) soybean + pigeon pea (4:2). The effect of INM treatments on soil quality indicators and indices under these cropping systems was studied individually, and the common indicators were also identified among the two cropping systems and mean SQI (Soil Quality Index) and RSQI(Relative Soil Quality Indices) were computed. The common indicators among the two cropping systems emerged for these Vertisol soils were: available S, dehydrogenase assay (DHA), labile carbon (LC) and mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates. These indicators assume great significance in managing these Vertisol soils. The methodology followed and the results of the present study will be immensely useful to different stakeholders such as researchers, students, farmers, land managers and NGOs in managing and improving soil quality under different inter-cropping systems in Vertisols