Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield Attributes, Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Growing Maize in Tamarind-based Cropping System

Abstract

Maize (cv. KH-517) was grown under seven-year-old tamarind (cv. PKM-1) plantation besides its sole cropping with different integrated nutrient management options viz. application of farm yard manure and subabul (Leucaena leucocephala L.) green leaf manure in conjunction with inorganic fertilizers and also with inorganic fertilizers (NPK) only. Maize dry matter production, yield components, grain yield, harvest index and nutrient uptake were reduced when grown in association with tamarind. Higher dry matter production (7615 kg ha−1), cob length (13.1 cm), cob weight (114.1 g), 282 grains/cob, grain weight/cob (63.1 g), grain yield (2819 kg ha−1), harvest index (36.3%), 117 kg ha−1 N and 100.2 kg ha−1 K uptake was recorded when maize crop grown as sole cropping. Higher gross return of Rs. 17380 ha−1, net returns of Rs. 9895 ha−1 and benefit cost ratio of 1.32 were found in intercropping situation. Further, application of green leaf manure of subabul with recommended dose of 120 kg N ha−1 resulted dry matter production (7608 kg ha−1), cob length (13.4 cm), cob weight (121.2 g), 319 grains/cob, grain weight/cob (67.4 g), grain yield (2728 kg ha−1), stover yield (5081 kg ha−1) harvest index (34.6%), 123.7 kg ha−1 N, 30.8 kg ha−1 P and 102 kg ha−1 K uptake along with Rs. 17538 and 9953 ha−1 gross and net return respectively and BC ratio of 1.31 which were significantly higher than application of 120 kg N ha−1 alone through urea or combination of 10 t ha−1 FYM with 120 kg N ha−1 or its lower dose which indicated that organic and fertilizer N combinations reduce the cost of production of maize through minimizing the use of fertilizers which in turn help to sustain the soil health and productivity.