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Comparing the Feasibilities of Pearlmillet‐Based Intercropping Systems Supplied with Varying Levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Author(s) -
Sharma O. P.,
Gupta A. K.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-037x.2001.00449.x
Subject(s) - intercropping , agronomy , loam , phosphorus , mathematics , field experiment , nitrogen , crop , fertilizer , arid , soil water , environmental science , biology , chemistry , soil science , paleontology , organic chemistry
To compare the feasibilities of pearlmillet‐based intercropping systems, field experiments were carried out for 2 years on loamy sand soils in the semi‐arid plain zone of Rajasthan, India. Results showed that the pooled yields of pearlmillet from the single crop (1525 kg ha −1 ) and from the crop intercropped with legumes (1528, 1498 or 1540 kg ha −1 ) were statistically the same. The yields from intercrop legumes were obtained as a bonus. The highest value of land equivalent ratio (1.21) was recorded for the pearlmillet + clusterbean system, which gave significantly better results than the pearlmillet + cowpea system. It was also found that the dose of nitrogen can be reduced by up to 25 % when pearlmillet is grown with legumes. However, intercrop legumes required the recommended dose of fertilizer to produce their optimal yields. The practice of intercropping without fertilizer proved disadvantageous.