ISSN:
1573-0867
Keywords:
cowpea
;
green gram
;
pearl millet
;
phosphate
;
residual effect
;
wheat
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract In a four year study on a wheat-green gram (or cowpea) — pearl millet intensive cropping system a total production of 9–10 tonnes of wheat equivalents per year removed 29–30kg P ha−1. If only 26 kg P ha−1 was used then total grain production as well as P uptake, was highest when all the P was applied to wheat. Only when amounts larger than 26 kg P ha−1 were applied was it justified to apply P to pearl millet and green gram (or cowpea). Productivity of the cropping system increased up to 58.5 kg P ha−1 and at this level two thirds of P was applied to wheat, while pearl millet and green gram or cowpea received the remaining one-third. A positive P balance in soil was observed only when 26 k P ha−1 yr−1 or more was applied. Pressure of growing population and per capita diminution or arable land has focussed attention on multiple cropping systems in many Asian countries [1, 2]. In North-Western India the cropping system changed from a single rainy (July–October) or winter (November–April) crop a year prior to the 1960's to two-crops-a-year (both a rainy season and winter crop) in the 1970.s and then in the late 1970's a third summer (May–June) crop was also included. Wheat — green gram (or cowpea) — pearl millet is such a three-crops-a-year multiple cropping system. Phosphate is the costliest major plant nutrient in India and farmers following multiple cropping systems are keen to know the way the phosphate should be apportioned to different crops in a cropping system particularly when small amounts of P are applied. Such information can come only from long-term P fertilization experiments [3, 4]. The objective of the present experiment on a wheat-green gram (or cowpea) — pearl millet multiple cropping system was to study the direct and residual effects of P applied to one crop on the other crops grown in succession and to find the best possible way in which a limited amount of P could be apportioned between the different crops in the rotation. An attempt has also been made to work out the P balance in soil.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01048796
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