Nutrient management in groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) - Bt cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) intercropping system

A field experiment was carried out during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2012, 2013 and 2014 at the Main Oilseeds Research Satiation, Junagadh Agriculture University, Junagadh to ascertain the optimum nutrient requirement for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) - Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) intercropping system to obtain higher productivity and profitability per unit area per unit time by efficient utilization of natural resources on medium clay soil under irrigated conditions. Groundnut was raised as main crop and Bt cotton was planted as intercrop with 3: 1 ratio. The experiment was conducted with fourteen treatments involving sole groundnut and sole cotton with different combinations of fertilizer doses and were tested in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. All the above fertilizer treatments were imposed based on the area. The results revealed that 100% RDF to groundnut (main crop) + 150% RDF to cotton (intercrop) in 3: 1 row ratio proportion increased growth, yield attributes and yields of groundnut and Bt cotton as well groundnut equivalent yield. So, 100% recommended dose of NP fertilizer (12.5: 25.0 kg NP/ha) to groundnut + 150% recommended dose of N fertilizer(240 kgN/ha) to Bt cotton with 3: 1 row ratio proportion was optimum to realize maximum yield under groundnut- Bt cotton intercropping system in irrigated conditions.