Studies on Soil Health Condition as influenced by Sole and Intercropping System of Maize and Pulses under Rainfed Conditions

Abstract

Field experiments was conducted at Research Farm of division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture & Regional Research Station, (FOA & RRS) Wadura, SKUAST-K, to investigate the soil health condition as influenced by Sole and Intercropping System of Maize and Pulses Under Rainfed Conditions with following aim 1, Impact of Intercropping on Soil health condition. 2, Impact of Intercropping on yield and dry matter yield of maize-pulse crop and 3, Impact of Intercropping on nutrient content and uptake of N, P, K, Ca and Zn. Seven treatments laid out in a completely randomized block design with three replicates. The cropping system consisted of sole maize, sole pulse (local bean), maize + pulse in single row at 60cm in row ratio (1:1), maize + pulse in paired row at 60cm in row ratio (1:2), maize + pulse in single row at 75cm in row ratio (1:1), maize + pulse in paired row at 75cm in row ratio (1:2) and maize with pulse as mixed cropping. Maize variety SMC4 (Shalimar Maize Composite 4 and Pulse variety (Local bean, Rajmash) were used. At the end of the vegetative cycle, yield and yield components were measured. Results showed that at harvest, dry matter yield of treatment T4, T6 were found to be statistically at par but statistically significant over the other treatments. Cropping system had a significant effect on maize grain equivalent yield. The highest bulk density (1.24 Mgm-3) was recorded in treatment T1 and lowest (1.19 Mgm-3) in treatment T2. Slightly higher pH was recorded in treatment T1. Highest soil organic carbon (1.49%) was found in treatment T2 and lowest found in treatment T1. The available N, P, K (kg ha-1) are as follow. Highest N (315.19), P (10.70) and K (212.16) was recorded in treatment T2 and lowest N (275.79), P (10.54) and K (207.19) war recorded in treatment T1respectively.Based on these results, it is concluded that increased intimacy between maize + pulse (local bean) in paired row at 60cm in row ratio 1:2) in an intercrop system increased maize yields, nutrient uptake and improve soil health condition.