Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641003
In a study on the effect of added N in conjunction with biofertilizers and composted coirpith in a mixed black soil, the performance of sorghum under sole cropping was superior as compared to intercropped sorghum. Combined use of 90 kg N ha−1 with composted coirpith and biofertilizers raled the best. The yield of inter crop cowpea decreased at higher levels of N due to the shade and smothering effect of base crop. The straw yield and N uptake of sorghum improved up to 120 kg N ha−1. The intercropped situation and conjoint use of inorganic N with other sources showed their superiority by registering higher available N status and net soil N balance.
Sole cropping, intercropping, fertilizer, N-balance, sorghum, cowpea