Studies on integrated nutrient management inm in garden pea based cropping systems under dry temperate high hill conditions

Abstract

newline To find out the effect of organic and bio-fertilizer in conjunction with inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient uptake in garden pea based cropping system, the field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Highland Agricultural Research and Extension, Centre Kukumseri (Lahaul and Spiti), CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) during 2006 and 2007. Six combinations of two cropping sequences (Pea-buckwheat and pea-sarson) and three organic/biofertilizers (FYM 5 t ha-1, Rhizobium and FYM 2.5 t ha-1 + Rhizobium) as main plot factors and three fertilizer levels (50%, 100% and 150% of recommended NPK) as sub-plot factors were evaluated in split-plot design with three replications. Application of FYM 2.5 t ha-1 + Rhizobium in integration with 150% of recommended NPK resulted in significant improvement in growth, yield, nutrient uptake of garden pea and buckwheat/sarson and improved the fertility of the soil. Pea-buckwheat cropping sequence in conjunction with integrated use of FYM 2.5 t ha-1 + Rhizobium along with 150% of recommended NPK was found to be the best. However, organic carbon content was significantly higher with FYM 5 t ha -1 in integration with 150% of recommended NPK. In terms of net returns, FYM 2.5 t ha-1 + Rhizobium in integration with 100% of recommended NPK was as good as in combination with 150% of recommended NPK, under pea-buckwheat/sarson cropping sequence.