Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF FERTILIZERS AND TILLAGE MANAGEMENT IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA)–CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM) CROPPING SYSTEM UNDER VARYING IRRIGATION SCHEDULES

S. Krishnaprabu

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during 2018 at Experimental Farm, Annamalai University, to study the effect of fertilizers, tillage and irrigation management in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) raised after rice (Oryza sativa L.). Significantly higher growth and yield attributes of chickpea were obtained under treatment 30:60:40 kg NPK/ha, deep ploughing with spade (23 cm deep) and cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) of 60 mm compared to 20:40:40 kg NPK/ha, normal ploughing and CPE of 80 mm. Significantly higher grain and straw yield of chickpea, chickpea-equivalent yield and monetary returns were obtained with 30:60:40 kg NPK/ha than 20:40:40 kg NPK/ha. Among the various tillage practices, deep ploughing with spade (23 cm deep) recorded significantly higher grain and straw yields of chickpea, chickpea-equivalent yield and economics than normal ploughing. Significantly higher productivity and monetary returns of chickpea was obtained at CPE of 80 mm compared to CPE of 80 mm. The NPK uptake by rice and chickpea and total uptake by the system were significantly higher under CPE of 60 mm, deep tillage and 30:60:40 kg NPK/ha than CPE of 80 mm, normal tillage and 20:40:40 kg NPK/ha. Bulk density, particle density, water-holding capacity, pore space and volume expansion of soil were greatly influenced by different tillage and nutrients management. The residual effect of nutrients management and tillage practices applied during the winter (rabi) season was also seen in the preceding crop of rice in second year.