Effect of preceding crops and fertility levels on wheat (Triticum aestivum) in light-textured soil

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 1994–95 to 1996–97 at Regional Research Station, Bawal, on loamy sand soil. The yield attributes, yield and NP uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) were markedly higher after cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] and clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert] than pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz]. Application of 5 tonnes farmyard manure (FYM)/ha significantly improved growth, yield attributes, yield and NP uptake compared with the control. Application @ 5 tonnes FYM in combination with 90 kg N+45 kg P₂O₅/ha was statistically at par with 120 kg N+60 kg P₂O₅/ha in terms of growth, yield attributes and yield and these were significantly superior to lower fertility levels. However, the NP uptake increased significantly up to 120 kg N + 60 kg P₂O₅/ha. The residual effect of 5 tonnes FYM/ha along with 90 kg N+ 45 kg P₂O₅/ha and 120 kg N + 60 kg P₂O₅/ha applied to wheat was also found significant on the grain and straw yields of the succeeding pearlmillet, clusterbean and cowpea crops compared to no NP application. The clusterbean-wheat was more economical than cowpea-wheat and pearlmillet-wheat crop sequences.