Indian Journal of Dryland Agricultural Research and Development

Field experiments were carried out for 2 years at AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Bengaluru centre to study the performance of different fodder crops followed by its residual effect on succeeding onion crop (Allium cepa L.) with varieties and fertilizer levels under double cropping system during 2010 and 2011. Among fodder crops, pearl millet recorded significantly higher green fodder yield (63086 and 32068 kg/ha, respectively) and significantly higher onion bulb yield was recorded under preceding crop of sweet sorghum (4594 and 8685 kg/ha, respectively). Main crop (fodder) equivalent yield of different cropping systems did not differ significantly during both the years. The system gross return, net return and B: C ratio was recorded under sweet sorghum followed by onion crop. Among onion varieties, significantly higher bulb (4318 and 9816 kg/ha, respectively) and main crop equivalent yield (141137 and 95579 kg/ha, respectively) was recorded with Bellary Red compared to Bengaluru Rose. Application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizers recorded significantly higher bulb (4480 and 7890 kg/ha, respectively) and main crop equivalent yield (146102 and 82100 kg/ha, respectively) and higher system gross return, net return and B: C ratio compared to 75% recommended dose of fertilizers during both the years. Among fodder crops, higher water use efficiency was recorded in fodder pearl millet and Bellary Red onion variety with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers when it was preceded by sweet sorghum during both the years.