Effect of organics on productivity and economic feasibility in maize-bengalgram cropping system.

A field experiment was conducted on vertisols at during 2005–06 and 2006–07 to study the effect of organic manures in combination with inorganic fertilizers on the productivity and economic feasibility of maize-bengalgram cropping system under rainfed condition. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments were organic manures and inorganic fertilizers were on subplots. Pooled data of 2 years revealed that, among organics application of FYM @ 7.5 t/ha recorded significantly higher maize (5899 kg/ha), bengalgram (1566 kg/ha) and maize equivalent yield (11650 kg/ha) and it was on par with vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha. Among the fertilizer levels, application of 100 per cent RDF recorded significantly higher maize (5578 kg/ha), bengalgram (1495 kg/ha) and maize equivalent yield (10986 kg/ha) compared to 75 per cent and 50 per cent RDF which differ significantly each other. Among the interactions the treatment which received 7.5 t/ha FYM and 100 per cent RDF recorded significantly higher maize (6348 kg/ha), bengalgram (1656 kg/ha) and maize equivalent yield (12330 kg/ha). Significantly higher gross returns (Rs.69059/ha) and net returns (Rs.51659/ha) were realized with application of FYM @ 7.5 t/ha + 100 per cent RDF which were on par with vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + 100 per cent RDF with respect to gross returns. Significantly higher benefit cost ratio was recorded with poultry manure @ 1.0 t/ha + 100 per cent RDF (4.48).