Effect of integrated nutrient management on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum) and its residual effect on fodder pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during winter 2004-05 and 2005-06 at Jobner, Jaipur on loamy sand soil to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity and nutrient uptake of fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and its residual effect on fodder pearlmillet { Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Emend. Stutz.}. The experiment consisted of eighteen combinations of integrated nutrient management practices for application of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) to fenugreek, i.e. 40 kg/ha, through different sources, viz. control, organic [farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC) and poultry manure (PM), inorganic] alone or in combinations with or without microbial ( Rhizobium) inoculation. Results revealed that integration of 50% RDN through poultry manure (PM)+50% RDN through inorganic sources to fenugreek recorded higher growth attributes, viz. plant stand/m row length, plant height, branches/plant, dry matter accumulation/m row length, nodules/plant and weight of nodules/ plant, yield attributes, viz. pods/plant, seeds/pod and test weight, seed yield (1.76 t/ha), biological yield (5.97 t/ha), system productivity (2.95 t/ha) and fodder yield of pearlmillet at all the cuttings. This treatment was also superior in terms of N, P, protein and phenol content (%) in seed as well as in haulm, total N and P uptake and available N and P after the harvest of the crop in both the years over all other combination of integrated nutrient management. However, maximum net returns (`60,443) and net returns/rupee invested for the system were fetched with inte- grated application of 50% RDN through VC + 50% RDN through inorganic sources.