ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of Sulphur (S) and Phosphorus (P) on yield, nutrient status of soil and their contents in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) during the year 2008-2009. Seven treatments were studied in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatment combinations were derived from three levels of sulphur (0, 20 and 40 kg S ha-1) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 25, 50 and 75kg ha-1). The experimental soil was medium black, slightly calcareous, clay in texture and slightly alkaline in reaction. The results indicated a significant increase in grain yield (14.81 q ha-1) and straw yield (41.26 q ha-1) of pigeonpea after 20 kg S ha-1 and 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 treatment with common dose of nitrogen @ 30 kg ha-1. The increase in grain and straw yield was 102.77 and 52.87% as compare to higher over control. Maximum number of pods plant -1, maximum number of grains pod-1 and test weight by this treatment was also observed as compared to control. Application of S and P improved soil fertility status and S alone did not influence P availability. Hence, in order to maintain the fertility status of the soil at high level, combine application of 20 kg S ha-1 with 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 is essential. The residual fertility status of soil is advocated for rainfed pigeonpea crop grown on vertisol in Vidarbha region.
ABSTRACT
Multiple cropping (i.e. intercropping or mixed cropping) plays an important role in agriculture because of the effective utilization of resources, significantly enhancing crop productivity compared with that of monocultured crops. The study was planed to assess the effect of various concentrations (00, 30, 60, 90 kg ha-1) of phosphorous on the biochemical composition of grains of Hordeum vulgare L. (NDB-1050) in mixed cropping system with Chickpea. Phosphorous is an essential ingredient for plants to convert atmospheric N (N2) into an ammonium (NH4) as a useable form. The available nitrogen content was found more in the year 2006 (131 kg ha-1) than year 2005 (105 kg ha-1). The results of available nitrogen content were showed that the mixed cropping system enhances N fixation process because phosphorous also influences nodule development through its basic functions in plants as an energy source. Reducing, non reducing and total sugar content of H. vulgare L. were influenced by changes in the phosphorous doses. Maximum protein (13.43 %) was obtained at 60 kg P2 O5 ha-1 during the year 2006. Lysine, tryptophan and methionine content were found maximum in year 2006, respectively. Total mineral content of grains of plant (0.99 g 100g-1) was found maximum by the application of 60 kg P2 O5 ha-1. It is possible that there was an increase in the soil N made available by the leguminous chickpea species, and this could be another reason why there was an increase in Hordeum vulgare L. shoot mass per plant with intercropping with chickpea.