Productivity and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)-fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cropping system as influenced by P sources, bio-fertilizers and irrigation to chickpea

Field experiments were carried out for 2 years at Lakhaoti to study in the performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as influenced as irrigation, sources of P and levels of biofertilizers during 2005–06 and 2006–07. Their residual effect was studied in the succeeding fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Two irrigations at flowering and pod filling recorded higher yield attributes and yield (1.56 tonne/ha) of chickpea. Further P in the form of either SSP (1.56 tonne/ha) or DAP (1.53 tonne/ha) was better when compared with rock phosphate (1.40 tonne/ha). The seed inoculation with phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) (1.55 tonne/ha) followed by PSB alone recorded higher yield of chickpea. The application of rock phosphate and biofertilizer (PSB+VAM) to chickpea showed significant residual effect on the succeeding fodder sorghum. The P uptake and water use efficiency (WUE) in chickpea and fodder sorghum and available P status after their harvest were also significantly affected by irrigation, P sources and PSB + VAM. Chickpea-fodder sorghum as a whole was significantly influenced by combination of irrigation at flowering and pod filling, rock phosphate as source of P and biofertilizer viz., PSB+VAM resulting in higher net returns and net benefit: cost ratio.