Crop Performance, Nitrogen Uptake and Soil Parameters as Influenced by Short-Term Nutrient Management Strategies under Cowpea-based System in Nalanda District of Bihar, India

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate crop performance, nitrogen (N) uptake and soil parameters as influenced by short-term nutrient management strategies in a cowpea-based system. To fulfill the objective, 9 treatments of various nutrient management strategies (control (no fertilization), 100% N + 100% phosphorus and potassium (PK), natural farming1 (Beejamrit (field preparation) +Ghanjeevamrit (field preparation) +Jeevamrit (15 days interval)), natural farming2 (Beejamrit (field preparation + 30 days interval) + Ghanjeevamrit (field preparation+ 30 days interval) +Jeevamrit (15 days interval)), organic farming1 (Farmyard manure + Biofertilizer), organic farming2  (Vermicompost+ Biofertilizer), integrated nutrient mangement1 (50% N inorganic + 50% N organic as Vermicompost and 100% P and K through inorganic), integrated nutrient management2 (50% N inorganic + 50% N organic as Farmyard manure and 100% P and K through inorganic) and 125% N +100% PK) were arranged in a randomized block design and replicated three times in Nalanda College of Horticulture, Noorsarai (Nalanda). The cowpea crop was sown in September and harvested at maturity in November for two years in the cropping system of cowpea-potato-onion. Crop yield, N uptake and soil parameters were studied.  Results showed that the cowpea yield and N uptake were highest in 125% N +100%PK, followed by 100% N+100%PK, integrated nutrient management2, integrated nutrient management1, organic farming2, organic farming1 and the lowest in natural farming practices. The increase in seed yield for the above treatments was 43, 33, 27, 23, 19, and 17%, respectively, over the control. The soil physical and physicochemical properties were limited affected by different nutrient management strategies compared to the control. Overall, this study concluded that fully (100% N) or high dose(125% N) applications improved crop performance and N uptake, whereas organic-based sources had low yield and N uptake but limited effect on soil physical and physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended to continue organic-based nutrient management for a long-term, which may, over time, bring crop performance to par with inorganic-based nutrient management and soil sustainability.