The field experiment entitled “Productivity, quality and residual soil fertility as influenced by intercropping row ratios and sources of nitrogen management in semi-arid region of Rajasthan was conducted during kharif seasons of 2006 and 2007 in a split plot design, comprising of 18 treatments (3 intercropping row ratios and 6 different sources of N). Results shows that intercropping row ratio of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Cenchrus setigerus in 2:1 resulted in significantly higher green (13.02 and 14.08 t ha−1) and dry fodder yield (3.25 and 3.44 tonnes/ha) than other row ratios (1:1 and 1:2). Crude protein content (12.07 and 12.33%) and yield (393.29 and 418.04 kg ha−1) was highest in case of 2:1 row ratio of cowpea and Cenchrus over other row ratios of 1:1 and 2:1.The soil organic carbon content, available N and P were improved when legume and grass were grown in 2:1 row ratio and the increase was to the tune of 42.54, 37.64 and 69.17% over than the initial content of these nutrients. Application of 50% recommended N through inorganic source+ 25% vermicompost + 25% through sheep manure had improved the green fodder yield by 89.72% and dry matter by 123.26% over 100% recommended dose of N through inorganic source. Different sources of N significantly influenced the crude protein content and yield. Maximum protein content (12.05 and 13.04%) and yield (423.40 and 446.02 kg ha−1) was recorded with the application of 50% recommended dose of N through inorganic source+ 25% vermicompost + 25% through sheep manure. At the end of 2 years of experimentation on the same site, bulk density and pH recorded perceptible decrease from the initial values, while soil organic carbon content, available N and P exhibited marked improvement over initial values with the combination of different sources of N.
Cenchrus ciliaris, cowpea, nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, protein, yield
