Higher Yield Attributes Research Articles

Influence of Seedling Age at Inoculation and Cultivar on the Pathogenicity of a Virus Causing Yellow Mosaic Disease of Commelina Benghalensis L. on Cowpea

A screenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of seedling age at inoculation and cultivar onpathogenicity of the virus causing yellow mosaic disease of Commelina benghalensis L, a broad leaf weed, on cowpea.Three cowpea varieties namely Vita 5, IT84S2246D and Ife Brown were grown in pots and inoculated with sapextracted from leaves of C. benghalensis infected with yellow mosaic disease at 7, 14, and 21 days after germination(DAG). It was found that inoculation of cowpea seedlings at 7 DAG subsequently led to the most severe symptoms,which were manifested by mosaic and yellowing of leaves and eventual poor growth and yield attributes. On the otherhand, plant growth and yield attributes that were comparable to those of the healthy control plants were recorded forplants inoculated at 21 DAG. Specifically, in regards to the interaction effects, cv. Vita 5 that were sap-inoculated at 7DAG had the lowest yield attributes, while cv. IT84S2246D inoculated at 21 DAG had the highest yield attributes. Theresults put together showed that although the yellow mosaic virus of C. benghalensis was sap-transmissible andpathogenic to cowpea causing characteristic yellow mosaic disease symptoms and reduction in yield attributes, severityof the disease is less if infection occurs at older stage of cowpea growth.

Effect of residue recycling on a cropping system based on fodder sorghum

A farming system experiment was conducted under dryland conditions in the western zone of Tamil Nadu with cropping, agroforestry, pigeons, goats, buffaloes and farm pond as the enterprise combination from July 2000 to March 2002. The cropping system of sorghum (fodder) + cowpea (fodder) followed by chickpea + coriander was supplied with either composted goat manure or composted buffalo manure at 100 or 75% of the production levels in order to investigate the effect of the source and amount of manures from the livestock enterprises linked in the system on cropping. The application of composted buffalo manure at 100% production level resulted in higher yield attributes, yield and returns in the second year, though the application of the recommended dose of fertilizers gave higher values for the same parameters in the first year, due to the buildup of nutrients over time. Higher yields of chickpea and coriander also indicated the favourable residual effect of the organic manures. This treatment ranked best with the highest benefit to cost ratio among the treatments imposed.

Effect of weed management practices on the yield attributes and yield of wet-seeded rice

Field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam, India during the kharif (July to November) and summer (December to April) seasons of 1999 and 2000 in a randomized block design. The treatment consisted of three pre-emergence herbicides (pretilachlor + safener 0.3 kg ha-1 4 days after sowing [DAS], butachlor 1.0 kg ha-1 8 DAS and pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 8 DAS) and one early post-emergence herbicide (butanil 3.0 ha-1 15 DAS), each in combination with mechanical or hand weeding 30 and 45 DAS. In addition, green manure (Daincha) intercropping and incorporation, mechanical and hand weeding twice alone (25 and 50 DAS) were compared with the unweeded check. The results revealed that the pre-emergence application of pretilachlor + safener 0.3 kg ha-1 + hand weeding twice (30 and 45 DAS) promoted higher yield attributes and maximum yield in wet-seeded rice.

Advantage of maize (Zea mays)-based intercropping system to different nutrient- management practices

A field experiment was conducted during (pre-kharif) (FebruaryMay) seasons of 2014 and 2015 at the Instruc- tional Farm, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, to evaluate the effect of maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L.) and nutrient-management practices on yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and competition indices. Among the cropping system, sole crop resulted in the highest yield attributes, grain yield (3,913 kg/ha), stover yield (6,565 kg/ha), harvest index (37.21%), uptake of nitrogen (101.36 kg/ha), phosphorus (19.80 kg/ha) and potassium (110.90 kg/ha). However, growing of maize as an intercrop with cowpea in a 2 : 2 row ratio resulted in the highest grain yield (3,249 kg/ha), stover yield (5,707 kg/ha) and harvest index (36.19%) than 2 : 4 row ratio combination. Among the nutrient-management practices, 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) + Azotobacter + vermicompost (VC) @ 5.0 t/ha resulted in the highest yield attributes, grain yield (3,684 kg/ha), stover yield (6,207 kg/ha), harvest index (37.14%) and NPK uptake. However, productivity system in terms of maize-equivalent yield (MEY), land-equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coeffi- cient (RCC), competition index (CI), aggressivity, competition ratio (CR), land-equivalent coefficient (LEC), area time-equivalent ratio (ATER) and monetary advantage was found to be higher in 2 : 2 row ratio, followed by 2 : 4 row ratio combination. Thus, maize intercrop with cowpea in 2 : 2 row ratio combination and supplied with 75% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter + vermicompost (VC) @ 5.0 t/ha (N ) improved the productivity of sole crop as well as 3 intercrop system.

Integrated nitrogen management in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A field experiment was conducted at Bichpuri, Agra during the winter season of 2000-01 and 2001-02 to study the effect of biofertilizers, and organic and chemical nitrogen as well as their combination on growth, yield and up- take of nitrogen by wheat (Trjticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). The treatments consisted of biofertilizer (Azotobacterand Azospirillum), organics (FYM @ 5 tfha) and 3 levels of nitrogen (50, 100 and 150 kg Nlha), and their combinations (i.0. 50 kg Nlha + Azotobacter, 50 kg Nlha + Azospirillum + FYM @ 5 tfha); one unfertilized con- trol was also included for comparison. The integrated use of inorganic fertilizer, biofertilizer and organics enhanced the growth and yield of wheat. Higher plant height and yield attributes were recorded in 50 kg Nlha + Azospirillum + FYM @ 5 tfha, followed by 150 kg Nlha. Further, seed and stover yields of wheat enhanced significantly at higher levels of N and integrated use of organic and bio-fertilizers. However, the highest yield attributes were re- corded at 150 kg Nlha. The uptake of total nitrogen by wheat was significantly higher at 150 kg Nlha than at 50 kg Nlha + Azospirillum + FYM @ 5 tfha.

Efficacy of herbicides in wheat (Triticum aestivum) with special reference to wild oat (Avena steriddis dudoviciuna) in vertisols

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2004-05 and 2005-06 at Jabalpur to assess the ef- ficacy of clodinafop-propargyl, sulfosulfuron and isoproturron as post-emergence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Clodinafop @ 60 glha significantly reduced the density and dry matter of wild oat (Avena stereillis ssp. ludoviciana Dur.), but could not combat the problem of broad-leaved weeds, viz., Medicago hispida Gaertn., Lathyrus aphaca L., Chenopodium album L. and Vicia sativa L. Sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha provided effective control of both wild oat and broad-leaved weeds. lsoproturon 1,000 glha did not cause significant reduction in he population and dry matter of wild oat, but significantly reduced the problem of broad-leaved weeds. Infestation of weed throughout the crop-growth period caused 48.8% reduction in grain yield of wheat. Higher yield attributes and maximum grain yield (47.6 qlha) of wheat were recorded from two hand-weedings at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). Amongst herbicidal treatments, application of sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha (43.6 qlha), being on a par with that of clodinafop 60 glha (41.5 qlha), 120 glha (43.4 qlha) and 240 g/ha (44.5 qlha), significantly increased the grain yield of wheat and recorded the maximum net return (Rs 11,940lha).

Indian Journal of Agronomy 58 (2): 215__219 (June 2013) Research Paper

A field experiment was conducted at Meerut during rabi season 20052006 and 20062007, in a spilt plot de- sign with four replications to find out the effect of weed management and tillage methods on wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol]. The tillage methods as main-plots treatment comprised of zero tillage, reduced tillage and conventional tillage, whereas weed control practices as sub-plot comprised of five treatments viz. sulfosulforon 25 g/ha, isoproturon 750 g + 2,4-D 250 g/ha, metribuzin 250 g/ha applied at 30 days after sowing, weed free and weedy cheek. The highest yield attributes and yield were noticed under conventional tillage fol- lowed by zero tillage. Minimum weed density and dry matter accumulation was found under zero tillage. Zero till- age was most economical. Among the methods of weed control, sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha gave excellent control of weeds and increased the yield attributes and yield, gross returns, net returns and B: C ratio. Thus zero tillage in combination with application of sulfosulfuron 25g/ha was found effective to manage weeds and increase wheat grain yield.

Response of basmati rice (Oryza sativa) varieties to zinc fertilization

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (JulyNovember) seasons of 2013 and 2014 at New Delhi to evaluate the effects of varieties and zinc (Zn) fertilization on yield attributes, yields and economics of basmati/aro- matic rice (Oryza sativa L.). Among the varieties, Pusa Rice Hybrid 10 had the highest yield attributes, viz. dry- matter accumulation (DMA), panicle length and their weight, and grain weight (g)/panicle leading to the highest grain yield (5.67 t/ha), benefit: cost ratio (2.04). Pusa Rice Hybrid 10 led to a significant increase in grain yield which was 17.1, 21.2, 30.0, 39.3 and 88.4% higher than those of Pusa Sugandh 5, Pusa Basmati 1509, Pusa Basmati 1121, Pusa Basmati 1401 and Pusa Basmati 1460, respectively. Pusa Basmati 1509 rice showed the highest fertility percentage (87.6), 1,000-grain weight (27.7 g) and the lowest chaffy grains/panicle, followed by Pusa Basmati 1121 and Pusa Sugandh 5. Among the Zn fertilization practices, 1.25 kg Zn (Zn-EDTA) + 0.5% fo- liar spray (FS) at maximum tillering (MT) and panicle initiation (PI) stages was found to be best for most of the yield attributes, grain (4.65 t/ha) and straw (7.87 t/ha) yields and gross returns (147.3 103 /ha). A strong posi- tive correlation (r2=0.910.97) was also observed between yield attributes (effective tillers/hill, fertility percentage and grains/panicle) and yield of rice. From net returns and benefit: cost ratio viewpoint, application of 2.5 kg Zn/ha (ZnSO .7H O) + 0.5% FS at MT and PI proved better and gave the highest net returns. Pusa Rice Hybrid 10 or 4 2 Pusa Sugandh 5 and Pusa Basmati 1509 in conjunction with 1.25 kg Zn/ha (Zn-EDTA) + 0.5% FS at MT and PI significantly improved yield attributes, leading to enhanced productivity of basmati/aromatic rice.

Effect of mepiquat chloride on growth parameters and yield of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) under high-density planting system

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, to study the productivity enhancement of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown under high-density planting system using mepiquat chloride. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design, with planting density in main plots and mepiquat chloride treatments in subplots. Pooled data of 2 years revealed that, Bt cotton grown with lower plant density (37,037 plants/ha) recorded significantly higher sympodial branches/plant, sympodial length at 50% height, number of bolls/plant and average boll weight, while high-plant density (74,074 plants/ha) resulted in the maximum seed-cotton (3,544 kg/ha) and stalk yield (3,740 kg/ha) as well as net realization (79.1 103 `/ha). The magnitude of increase in seed-cotton yield owing to higher plant density over lower plant density was 68.53%, on pooled basis. Application of 3 sprays of mepiquat chloride @ 0.4 ml/litre (one each at 45, 60 and 75 days after sowing) resulted in the least growth parameters, viz. plant height, dry-matter accumulation, crop-growth rate, relative growth rate and stalk yield with a highest yield attributes, viz. sympodial branches/plant, sympodial length at 50% height, bolls/plant, average boll weight, seed-cotton yield (3,186 kg/ha) and net realization (66.8 103`/ha). Three sprays of mepiquat chloride @ 0.4 ml/l at 45, 60 and 75 days after sowing resulted in 28.8% higher seed-cotton yield than control treatment in pooled mean

Productivity and profitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as influenced by different cropping systems and nutrient sources

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 201415 and 201516 at New Delhi, to evaluate the effects of cropping systems and nutrient sources on yield attributes, yields and economics of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol]. Of the tested cropping systems, direct-seeded basmati rice (DSBR) (Oryza sativa L.)wheatmungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] system exhibited the highest values of yield at- tributes, viz. effective tillers, grains/spike and 1,000-seed weight which led to the highest grain yield (4.44 t/ha) and wheat equivalent yield (WEY) (11.7 t/ha). Among the nutrient sources, application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through vermicompost (VC) + bio-fertilizer re- sulted in the highest yield attributes, grain (4.76 t/ha) and straw (6.86 t/ha) yields and gross returns (105.07 103 /ha) followed by 50% RDF + 25% RDN through leaf compost (LC) + bio-fertilizer. A strong positive correlation (r2 = 0.690.97) was also observed between yield attributes (effective tillers/m2 and grains/spike) and yield of wheat. The uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in grain and straw of wheat remained statistically identical in DSBRwheatfallow and DSBRwheatmungbean systems. Application of 50% RDF + 25% RDN-VC + bio-fertilizer registered significantly the highest uptake of N, P and K in both grain and straw of wheat and found on a par with 50% RDF + 25% RDN-LC + bio-fertilizer and 100% RDF. On the basis of net returns an application of 100% RDF was found superior to all the treatments. Therefore, DSBRwheatmungbean cropping system in conjunction with 50% RDF + 25% RDN-VC + bio-fertilizer or 50% RDF + 25% RDN-LC + bio-fertilizer significantly improved the yield attributes, leading to higher productivity and profitability of wheat over the control.

Standardization of dose of sulfosulforun (MON 37503) in controlling weeds of rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum) under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 1998-99 and 1999-2000 at Palampur, Hirnachal Pradesh, to find out the optimum dose of sulfosulfuron for controlling weeds in rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Sulfosulfouron 30.0 g a.i./ha being at par with sulfosulfuron 30.0 g a.i./ha + sur- factant and sulfosulfuron 37.5 g a.i./ha with and without surfactant resulted in significantly lower weed dry weight and higher yield attributes and yield of wheat when compared with the lower doses during both the years. How- ever, during the first year diclofopmethyl 0.75 kglha being at par with isoproturon l .0 kg ailha + surfactant resulted in significantly higher grain yield over other treatments, whereas during the second year dichlofop-methyl per- formed comparatively poor probably because of poor control of Phalaris minor Retz. which was the dominating weed this year. lsoproturon 1.0 kglha + surfactant was as effective as sulfosulfuron 37.5 g ailha + surfactant and hand-weeding twice during both the yearsand also with sulfosulfuron 37.5 glha without surfactant and sulfosulfuron 30.0 g ailha with and without surfactant during She second year of study.

Growth and productivity of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) as affected by integrated nutrient management and foliar application of iron

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 201617 to 20172018 on loamy sand soil of Jobner, Rajasthan, to study response of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to integrated nutrient management and foliar application of iron (Fe). The study showed that, application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + vermicompost (VC) @ 4 t/ha resulted significant increase in dry-matter accumulation (DMA)/m row length (230.5 g), yield attributes, viz. spike length (8.30 cm), number of effective tillers/m row length (75.8), grains/spike (43.1), test weight (38.34 g), grain yield (4.7 t/ha) and straw yield (6.1 t/ha). Application of 50% RDF + VC @ 4 t/ha also showed significantly higher total uptake of N (124.3 kg/ha), P (32.1 kg/ha), K (100.6 kg/ha) and Fe (2261 g/ha) by bread wheat crop. Application of 0.5% FeSO as foliar spray at tillering + flowering stages resulted in significantly 4 higher dry-matter accumulation (244.8 g), higher yield attributes and grain (4.1 t/ha) and straw yields (5.7 t/ha) with higher total nutrient uptake. Interaction effect on grain yield was found significant between integrated nutrient man- agement treatments and foliar spray of iron. Application of 50 % RDF +VC @ 4 t/ha along with foliar application of iron 0.5 % ferrous sulphate at tillering + flowering stage gave significantly higher yield over the control.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, nutrient uptake and moisture-use functions of pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucurn)

A field experiment was conducted at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, during the rainy seasons of 2000 and 2001 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on productivity and nutri- ent uptake of pearlmillet [Penniseturn glaucurn (L.) R.Br. emend. Stuntz.] under rainfed conditions. Inoculation of seed with Azospirillum + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) with 20 and 15 kg N and P20, resulted in signifi- cantly higher yield attributes, seed yield and NPK uptake. Further, application of 20 kg N + 15 kg P20$ha + Azospirillurn + PSB resulted in higher consumptive use of water (mm), water-use efficiency (kglha-mm) and daily rate of water use (mmlday) over other INM treatments. The seed yield and nutrient uptake increased with organic manuring in association with summer ploughing before sowing the crop. The consumptive use of water, water- use efficiency and daily rate of water use and yield attributes of pearlmillet, yield and N, P and K uptake signifi- cantly increased with different organic manures and summer ploughing before sowing of crop. The FYM @ 10 tonneslha with summer ploughi ,g before sowing of the crop registered the highest values for the above param- eters compared to other organic sources of nutrients and summer ploughing.

Efficacy of cyhalofop-butyl alone and in combination with 2,4-D against mixed weed flora in direct-seeded upland rice (Oiyza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 1998 and 1999 at Agronomy Research Farm of the CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, to find out the best combination of cyhalofop-butyl and 2,4-D in controlling mixed weed flora in direct-seeded upland rice (Oryza sativa L.). Cyhalofop-butyl 90 and 120 glha when tank mixed with 2,4-D 1.0 kglha lost its herbicidal property completely and did not control any of the grass weeds. However, 2, 4-D in mixture controlled broad-leaf weeds completely, When these herbicides were applied in sequence both grass and broad-leaf weeds were controlled effectively. Cyhalofop-butyl 120 glha (1 5 DAS) followed by 2, 4-D 1.0 kglha (20 DAS) and 2, 4-D 1.0 kglha (15 DAS) followed by cyhalofop-butyl 120 glha (20 DAS) being at par with each other and also with hand-weeding twice resulted in significantly lower weed dry weight and hence higher yield attributes and yield of rice over all other treatments.

Impact of moisture conservation and nutrient-management practices on performance of maize (Zea mays) in Tarai Region of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted during Pre Kharif seasons (February to May) of 2013 and 2014 at the In- structional Farm, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar, West Bengal to evaluate the growth, yield and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) under moisture conservation and nutrient-management practices. Among the moisture-conservation practices, irrigation resulted in the highest yield attributes such as cob length, cob girth, 100-grain weight, cob/plant, grain/cob, rows/cob and grain weight/cob, leading to the highest grain yield (4.35 t/ha), stover yield (12.0 t/ha), harvest index (26.4%), water-use efficiency (0.11 kg/ha/mm), net returns (30.1 103 /ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.19). Application of irrigation significantly increased the plant height (218 cm at harvesting), leaf-area index [4.41 at 75 days after sowing (DAS)], dry-matter accumulation (1,203 g/m2 at harvest- ing), crop-growth rate (20.2 g/g/m2 at 6175 DAS), nitrogen (89.9 kg/ha), phosphorus (54.3 kg/ha) and potassium (104.1 kg/ha) uptake. Among the nutrient management practices, the highest plant height (216 cm at harvesting), leaf-area index (4.26 at 75 DAS), dry-matter accumulation (1,167 g/m2 at harvest), crop-growth rate (19.5 g/g/m2 at 6175 DAS), grain yield (4.21 t/ha), stover yield (11.7 t/ha), harvest index (26.3%), nitrogen (90.3 kg/ha), phos- phorus (51.5 kg/ha), potassium (99.4 kg/ha) uptake, net returns (25.8 103 /ha) and water-use efficiency (0.10 kg/ha-mm) were recorded under treatment receiving 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + phosphate- solubilizing bacteria (PSB) + Azotobacter + vermicompost @ 5.0 t/ha but the highest benefit: cost ratio (0.98) was recorded under 100% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter (N ). Our result showed that maize grown with irrigation and sup- 2 plied with 75% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter + vermicompost @ 5.0 t/ha (N ) proved the best for obtaining overall 3 gain on a sustainable basis.

Effect of irrigation scheduling and nitrogen application on productivity and profitability of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif), season of 2015, to study the effect of irrigation scheduling and split application of nitrogen on productivity and profitability of direct-seeded rice (DSR) (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 12 treatment combinations including 4 irrigation schedules, viz, 0 kPa; 10 kPa, 20 kPa and 10 kPa during entire stage except 40 kPa at tillering to flowering stages in main plot and 3 N (120 kg/ha) application methods, viz. control (N ), half recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) 0 as basal + one-fourth RDN at week 2 + one-fourth RDN at week 5, and one-fourth RDN as basal + one-fourth RDN at week 2 + one-fourth RDN at week + one-fourth RDN at week 9 after sowing in subplot were taken with 3 replications. Irrigation scheduling at 0 kPa resulted in the highest yield attributes, grain and straw yields and net returns of DSR, which was remained at par with 10 kPa. Four times split application of N as one-fourth RDN as basal + one-fourth RDN at 2 week + one-fourth RDN at week 5 + one-fourth RDN at week 9 recorded significantly high grain and straw yields and net returns over half RDN as basal + one-fourth RDN at week 2 + one-fourth RDN at week 5 and control. Thus, irrigation threshold of 10 kPa with 4 times split application of RDN can be applied to DSR to get higher yield and net returns.

Integrated use of fertilizers and manures with foliar application of iron in barley (Hordeum vulgare)

A field experiment on integrated use of fertilizers and manures with foliar application of iron in barley {Hordeum vulgare (L.)} was conducted at Jobner on loamy sand soil during two consecutive rabi seasons of 200910 and 201011. Results of the study revealed that application of 50% RDF + VC @ 2 t/ha recorded significant increase in dry matter accumulation (DMA)/metre row length (364.5 g), yield attributes viz., spike length (10 cm), number of spikes/metre row length (81.6), grains/spike (48.9) and test weight (43.0 g) as well as grain (5.48 t/ha) and straw yield (7.85 t/ha). Application of 50% RDF + VC @ 2 t/ha also recorded significantly higher total uptake of N (111.1 kg/ha), P ((20.1 kg/ha), K (28.1 kg/ha), and Fe (8,399 g/ha) by barley. Application of 0.5% FeSO as foliar spray at 4 tillering + flowering stages resulted in significantly higher dry matter accumulation (342.1 g), higher yield attributes and grain (5.27 t/ha) and straw yield (7.37 t/ha) with higher total nutrient uptake. Interactive effect on grain yield was found significant between fertilizers, organic manure and foliar spray of iron. Application of 50% RDF + VC @ 2 t/ha along with foliar application of iron 0.5% FeSO at tillering + flowering stage gave significantly higher yield 4 over control.

Residual effect of organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen applied to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) on succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The experiment conducted during rainy (kharifj and winter (rabl) seasons of 2001-2002 and 2002-03 under ir- rigated condition revealed that combined applicattion of 30 kg N and FYM @ 12 tonneslha along with Azotobacter (M,) recorded significantly higher NPK uptake, seed-cotton yield and total dry-matter production of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) compared to individual application of 30 kg Nlha, FYM @ 12 tonneslha as well as Azoto- bacter (M, or W, but remained at par with 60 kg Nlha alone. Maximum residual effect was observed with combined application of 30 kg N and FYM @ 12 tonneslha along with Az. M, or W, in terms of higher available N, P and K at harvest, that resulted in the marked improvement in the N uptake, yield attributes and yield of succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) crop. Similarly, higher yield attributes and yield of wheat was recorded with each increment of N up to 120 kglha to wheat.