Effect of different tree leaf litters on yield and nutrient uptake of clusterbean-oat rotation in arid region of Rajasthan

Abstract

The study was conducted at ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Bikaner to study the effect of tree leaf litters on yield and nutrient uptake of clusterbean-oat rotation during 2010-11 and 2011-2012. Leaf litters of seven tree species viz. Mopane: Colophospermum mopane, Gum acacia: (Acacia senegal) , Umbrella tree: (Acacia tortilis) , Indian rosewood: (Dalbergia sissoo), Sour lime: (Citrus aurantifolia), Assyrian plum: (Cordia myxa) and Bengal quince: (Aegle marmeloswere) applied in microplots of 2 x 2 meter @ 2.5 t/ha. Chemical fertilizers were used as per recommendations of individual crop. The result showed that maximum grain yield of clusterbean was obtained with the application of leaf litter treatments of Citrus aurantifolia. The increase in grain yield was in the order of leaf litter treatments of Citrus aurantifolia, Dalbergia sissoo and Aegle marmelos, respectively. The residual effect of leaf litters of Citrus aurantifolia, Dalbergia sissoo and Aegle marmelos increased the grain yield of oat by 13.3-16.0 % in 2010-11 and 14.8-16.1 % in 2011-12, respectively. There was no significant effect of leaf litters of Cordia myxa and Acacia senegal on grain yield of clusterbean and oat. Litter addition had significant effect on nutrient uptake also. The mean uptake of nutrients was significantly higher in Citrus aurantifolia, Dalbergia sissoo and Aegle marmelos treatments as compared to control. The two years average data showed that the total uptake of N in clusterbean increased from 21.3 kg/ha in control to 32.2, 28.5 and 30.8 kg/ha in Citrus aurantifolia, Dalbergia sissoo and Aegle marmelos treatments, respectively. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake was non-significant in the treatments Colophospermum mopane, Cordia myxa, Acacia tortilis and Acacia senegal