Cropping System (CS) (2013-2018)
CS1 : Green manure – Cotton – Maize
CS2 : Green manure – Chillies – Sunflower
CS3 : Green manure – Beetroot – Maize
Salient findings
- Integrated nutrient management practice which received 75% of nutrients through organic sources and 25 % nutrients through inorganic sources recorded the highest yield in all the three cropping systems from 2013-14 to 2016-17.
- Gradual increase in organic carbon was observed in organic and integrated nutrient management practices irrespective of the cropping systems (0.03% over the years 2013-17)
- Microbial population were observed to be high in manured plots followed by INM practices over the years.
- Among the different cropping systems, Green manure (Daincha) – Beetroot – Maize cropping system recorded the highest cotton equivalent yield ranging from 6.8 t ha-1 to 8.1t ha-1, 5.8 t ha-1 to 6.8 t ha-1, 5.52 to 7.17t ha-1 and 6.8t ha-1 to 8.0 t ha-1 during 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively.
- Among the treatments, INM practice recorded the highest cotton equivalent yield of 8.1 t ha-1 and realized Rs. 2.58 lakh ha-1 as net returns during 2013-14. CEY was 6.8 t ha-1 and net return was Rs.2.lakh ha-1 during 2014-15 and it was 8.0 t ha-1, Rs.2.57 lakh ha-1 during 2015-16 and 7.17 t ha-1, Rs.2.30 lakh ha-1 during 2016-17, respectively.
- 75% N through FYM + verrmicompost along with 3% panchagavya as foliar spray registered higher yield as compared to 100% inorganic fertilizers in all the cropping systems over the years.
- System productivity was high with green manure-beetroot- maize cropping system. It ranged from 18.8 to 22.2, 16.02 to 18.77, 18.72 to 21.97 and 15.12 to 19.63 kg/ha/day during 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively.
- Among the different cropping systems studied, green manure (daincha) – beetroot – maize cropping system has showed yield and income stability under irrigated conditions and improvement in soil nutrient status under integrated use of organic (75%) and inorganic (25%) sources of nutrients for the western zone of Tamil Nadu.
- Cropping System (CS) (2018-2023)
CS1 : Green manure – Brinjal – Pearl millet Cropping System
CS2 : Green manure – Chilli – Barnyard millet Cropping System
CS3 : Green manure – Tomato – Finger millet Cropping System
Salient findings
- The brinjal yield was more (25.7t/ha) in 100% organic manure applied plots.
- The yield of chilli was the highest (12.3 t/ha) under 75% organic and 25% inorganic manure applied plots.
- The tomato yield was more (17.6t/ha) in 75% organic manure + innovative practices applied treatment.
- The quality parameters are better in 100% organic manures applied plots.