Moisture Conservation and Zinc Fertilization Impacts on System Performance and Soil Fertility Status of Pearlmillet-Chickpea Cropping System under Limited Moisture Conditions

The present study was conducted at the research farm of IARI, New Delhi for two consecutive years from 2012–13 to 2013–14 to find out the impact of moisture conservation and zinc fortification on system performance and soil fertility status of pearlmillet-chickpea cropping system under limited moisture conditions. Planting of pearlmillet and chickpea under the flat bed with 5.0 t/ha crop residue recorded significantly higher system productivity in terms of pearlmillet grain equivalent yield (8.98 t/ha), moisture use efficiency (16.13 kg/ha-mm) and total uptake of nutrients (N, P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) over flat bed without crop residue and flat bed with 2.5 t/ha crop residue. However, the significantly higher system net returns of 83, 367/ha along with B: C ratio of 1.71 was observed under narrow bed and furrow with 2.5 t/ha crop residue. Residue applied, moisture conservation practices also showed remarkable improvement in soil fertility status at the end of cropping seasons as compared to without residue applied treatment. Under zinc fertilization treatments, application of 5.0 kg Zn/ha to pearlmillet recorded significantly higher system productivity, profitability, moisture use efficiency and total uptake of N, K and Zn over the lower levels. However, total uptake of P, Fe, Mn and Cu were increased significantly only up to 2.5 kg Zn/ha. Fertilization of chickpea with 5.0 kg Zn/ha also registered significantly higher system productivity, profitability, moisture use efficiency and total uptake of nutrients (except P) as compared to lower levels. Zinc fertilization treatments also brought significant improvement in organic carbon, available N, K and DTPA extractable Zn content in soil at the end of the experiment.