Phosphorus Management in Greengram-Safflower Sequence on Shrink-Swell Soils of Maharashtra

A study was conducted on phosphorus management in greengram-safflower sequence at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra during 2006-2007 in shrink-swell soil. The twelve treatments and three replications designed in RBD consisted of 100% RDF (20:40:20 NPK kg ha-1 to greengram and 25:25:25 NPK kg ha-1 to safflower), 50% recommended P, No P, 50% recommended P + PSB (25 g kg-1 seed), 5 t FYM ha-1, 5 t FYM ha-1 + PSB applied in various combinations to greengram in kharif and safflower in rabi season. The results indicated that the treatment receiving 50 per cent P (20 kg ha-1 to greengram and 12.5 kg ha-1 to safflower) + PSB along with recommended dose of nitrogen (20 kg ha-1 to greengram and 25 kg ha-1 to safflower) and potassium (20 kg ha-1 to greengram and 25 kg ha-1 to safflower) to greengram and safflower was found to be beneficial in improving the soil fertility status, comparable crop productivity and economic returns with 100 per cent recommended phosphorus to both the crops.