Growth and yield of rainy season crops in safflower (Carthamus tinctorus L.) cropping systems with and without addition of safflower residues

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Hyderabad on Vertisols for 3 years (2005-08) to develop sustainable nutrient management practices for safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) based cropping systems involving greengram, soybean and maize. Different organic sources viz., glyricidia, farm yard manure (FYM) and safflower crop residues were used to substitute a part of recommended level of fertilizers. During the first year of experimentation, significantly lowest dry matter production, SP AD chlorophyll meter readings (SCMR), biological yield and seed yield at harvest were recorded in soybean and maize with part substitution of recommended NPK with safflower residues and glyricidia. During the second and third year of experimentation, integrated nutrient management practices did not differ significantly with respect to dry matter production, SCMR readings, biological and seed yield of all the three crops. Thus, it can be concluded that part of the NPK nutrients can be substituted with the application of safflower crop residues along with glyricidia loppings. The optimum time of application of safflower crop residues would be immediately after harvesting of safflower to ensure timely availability of nutrients for the succeeding crops in rotation.