Impact of Nutrient Management Practices in Cassava on the Growth and Yield of Red Gram in an Additive Series Intercropping System in the Southern Laterites of Kerala

Abstract

Cassava-legume intercropping is widely promoted by virtue of the ecological, nutritional and productive benefits and the choice of the intercrop is crucial in realizing the potentials envisaged. The performance of red gram (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) as an intercrop in cassava was evaluated in randomized block design at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University in three replications with different nutrient management practices in the main crop as treatments. Potassium efficient cassava variety Sree Pavithra was tested with varying levels of N, P and K. The treatments included T1 (100 % recommended dose of fertilizers), T2 (100 % RD N and P + 50 % K), T3 (100 % RD N and P + 25 % K), T4 (100 % RD N and P + 0 % K), T5 (50 % RDF), T6 (50 % RDF + PGPR Mix 1), T7 (50 % RD N and P + 25 % K), T8 (50 % RD N and P + 25 % K + PGPR Mix 1), T9 (50 % RD N and P + 0 % K), T10 (50 % RD N and P + 0 % K + PGPR Mix 1) and control (no fertilizer application). Cassava growth and yield was found to be superior in the treatments involving the consortium biofertilizer PGPR Mix 1 and was the highest in 50 % RD N and P + 0 % K + PGPR Mix 1 liquid application. The performance of red gram as an intercrop was found to be influenced by the canopy growth in cassava and yields were 80-89 per cent less than in sole cropping. The land equivalent ratio was more than one in PGPR included treatments alone indicating that intercropping was not advantageous in other treatments.