Productivity and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)-fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cropping system as influenced by P sources, bio-fertilizers and irrigation to chickpea

Field experiments were carried out for 2 years at Lakhaoti to study in the performance of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) as influenced as irrigation, sources of P and levels of biofertilizers during 2005-06 and 2006-07. Their residual effect was studied in the succeeding fodder sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L.). Two irrigations at flowering and pod filling recorded higher yield attributes and yield (1.56 tonne/ha) of chickpea. Further P in the form of either SSP (1.56 tonne/ha) or DAP (1.53 tonne/ha) was better when compared with rock phosphate (1.40 tonne/ha). The seed inoculation with phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) (1.55 tonne/ha) followed by PSB alone recorded higher yield of chickpea. The application of rock phosphate and biofertilizer (PSB+VAM) to chickpea showed significant residual effect on the succeeding fodder sorghum. The P uptake and water use efficiency (WUE) in chickpea and fodder sorghum and available P status after their harvest were also significantly affected by irrigation, P sources and PSB + VAM. Chickpea-fodder sorghum as a whole was significantly influenced by combination of irrigation at flowering and pod filling, rock phosphate as source of P and biofertilizer viz., PSB+VAM resulting in higher net returns and net benefit : cost ratio.