Response of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) + mungbean (Phaseolus radiatus) intercropping system to phosphorus and biofertilizers

A field investigation was carried out during the kharif season of 2005–06 and 2006–07. Present study revealed that inter cropping of mungbean did not show adverse effect on the growth attributes, yield attributes and yield of pigeonpea. Phosphorus application @ 40 and 80 kg P2O5/ha and seed inoculation with Rhizobium and Rhizobium + Phosphorus Solubalizing Bacteria (PSB) significantly improved growth and yield attributes and grain yield of pigeonpea and pigeonpea + mungbean inter-cropping system. Cropping system (intercropping) markedly recorded higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (1451 and 1751 kg/ha) oversole pigeonpea (1235 and 1476 kg/ha) in both the years, respectively. The intercropping of mungbean in pigeonpea did not affect grain yield of pigeonpea (1194 and 1443 kg/ha) and instead gave an additional grain yield of mungbean (237 and 256 kg/ha). This additional grain yield of mungbean along with pigeonpea grain yield significantly produced higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (1451 and 1719 kg/ha) oversole pigeonpea as well as sole mungbean. The pigeonpea + mungbean intercropping system recorded significantly higher organic carbon in soil over sole pigeonpea. The phosphorus applied to crops markedly enhanced organic carbon, available P and K content of soil after the harvest of pigeonpea and mungbean.