Productivity of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) as affected by legume intercropping under different fertility systems

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during rainy season of 1990, 1991 and 1992 to study productivity of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] as affected by legume intercropping under different levels of fertilizers. There were 12 treatments, involving different sources of nitrogen with and without intercrops. Applicatfon of 100% Inorganic fertilizer (60 kg N/ha + P/ha) gave significantly highest grain (1.41 tonnes/ha) and stover (16.79 tonnes/ha) yields of sorghum compared with the control. Among intercropping, the highest green-fodder yield (19.3 tonnes/ha) was obtained from sorghum + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] with 50% inorganic fertilizers PO kg N/ha + 8.8 P/ha). The organic carbon content, available nitrogen and available potassium in the soil restored more in the plots receiving farmyard manure@ 12 tonnes/ha, followed by white popinac [Leucaena latisilliqua (L.) Gillis; syn L. leucocephalo (Lam.) deWit] leaves @6 tonnes/ha. However, the available phosphorus in soil was higherwith 100% inorganic fertilizer.