Nutrient management in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] + cereal intercropping system under rainfed environment of Bundelkhand region of India

A field experiment was conducted during two rainy seasons of 2012-14 in sandy loam soil of Uttar Pradesh (Lalitpur, India) to study the effect of NPK on growth, nutrient uptake, productivity of pigeonpea based intercropping systems and post-harvest soil nutrient status. Intercropping of sorghum with pigeonpea (1:1 row ratio) produced higher growth and development of the latter (through increased plant height, trifoliate number, LER, ATER, dry matter content, pods/plant, and 100-seed weight)compared to those of pearlmillet (intercropped with pigeonpea). These effects in former were similar to those with pigeonpea sole (grown with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers, RDF). Grain, straw and stick yields of pigeonpea in its intercropping system with sorghum were also higher during 2012-13. Application of NPK to pigeonpea alone also resulted in higher per plant trifotiates and pods, seeds/pod, 100-grain weight, grain and straw yields. Intercropping competition parameters (like, land equivalent ratio write or LER, area time equivalent ratio write or ATER, aggressivity and relative crowding coefficient) were improved in the above treatment. In addition, monetary advantage index (MAI) was also favourable in pigeonpea+sorghum and NPK application to pigeonpea alone during 2013-14. Crop uptake in terms of N and K were significantly enhanced following application of NPK alone to pigeonpea. All the pigeonpea based intercropping systems had positive balance of available nutrients in soil (with higher available N during first year while, higher available P and K during both the years). Seed- protein content was not influenced by intercropping system and nutrient supply. Amongst intercropping systems, however, pigeonpea + pearl millet (1:1) was observed to be an efficient intercropping system in respect of higher nodules/plant, better yield attributes, enhanced seed, straw and stick yield, improved crop equivalent yield, more N, P and K uptake by pigeonpea, and balanced LER and ATER. It was inferred further that in terms of total productivity measured through crop equivalent yield, pigeonpea + pearl millet with RDF to former and 75% RDF to latter was the most remunerative nutrient management schedule under rainfed Bundelkhand region of India.