Nitrogen management and biological nitrogen fixation in sorghum / pigeonpea intercropping on Alfisols of the semi-arid tropics

Adu-Gyamfi, J J and Ito, O and Yoneyama, T and Katayama, K (1997) Nitrogen management and biological nitrogen fixation in sorghum / pigeonpea intercropping on Alfisols of the semi-arid tropics. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 43. pp. 1061-1066.

[img]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
Download (613kB) | Preview

Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), are grown as intercrops on soils typified by low nitrogen (N), particularly Alfisols and Vertisols of the semi-arid tropical areas of India and East Africa. Proper management of fertilizer N in sorghum / pigeonpea intercropping systems is essential to enhancing biological nitrogen fixing ability of pigeonpea, and to increasing grain yields of sorghum. In a 3-year study, we examined the effect of time and rates of fertilizer N application on biological N fixation (BNF) and fertilizer N recovery by pigeonpea and sorghum grown as a sole crop, and as an intercrop on an Alfisol in India. In 1993, N (50 kg N ha ^ <-1>) was all applied at planting ( basal) or at 40 days after sowing (delayed). During 1994-1995, four N rates 0, 25, 50, and 100 kg ha ^ <-1> were applied (i) 100% at planting (basal) or (ii ) 67% at 40 days, and 33% at 60 days after sowing (delayed). Delaying N fertilization until 40 days after sowing (DAS), rather than applying at sowing significantly increased (p <0.001) total dry matter, grain yield ( GY) and total N content (TNC) of the sorghum, but not of pigeonpea. Highest GY and TNC was recorded at an N rate of 50 kg ha ^ <-1> with sole crop sorghum, and at 25 kg ha ^ <- 1> for intercrop sorghum. Delaying N fertilization to sorghum significantly (p <0.001) increased ^ <15> N recovery in the shoot from 15 to 32% in sole crop, and 10 to 32% in intercrop. Similarly, there was a significant (p <0.001) increase in N recovery (calculated without ^ <15> N, but by the difference between the nonfertilized N and fertilized plots) from 43-59% in sole crop and from 28-71% in intercrop sorghum. Pigeonpea fixed between 120-170 kg ha ^ <-1> of atmospheric N throughout the cropping season. Nitrogen application to the sorghum row, but not to the pigeonpea, enhanced BNF by pigeonpea and maximized fertilizer recovery by sorghum in a sorghum / pigeonpea intercropping.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Subjects: Mandate crops > Pigeonpea
Mandate crops > Sorghum
Depositing User: Library ICRISAT
Date Deposited: 17 Dec 2011 11:00
Last Modified: 17 Jan 2012 05:13
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/4767
Official URL:
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
Links:
View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item