Influence of balanced nutrition on productivity, economics and nutrient uptake of hybrid maize (Zea mays)chickpea (Cicer arietinum) cropping sequence under irrigated ecosystem

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 201213, 201314 and 201415 at farmers fields of Nargund taluk of Gadag district, Karnataka, to study the response of maize (Zea mays L.)chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cropping sequence to balanced nutrition. The experiment, consisting of 7 treatments, viz. absolute control, recommended N alone, recommended N and P, recommended N and K, recom- mended NPK, recommended NPK with ZnSO and farmers practice, was replicated in 12 farmers field in random- 4 ized complete-block design. Application of 150 kg/ha N, 75 kg/ha P and 37.5 kg/ha K along with 25 kg/ha ZnSO 4 to maize recorded significantly higher grain (5.42 t/ha) and stover (7.61 t/ha) yields, gross returns (63.86 103 / ha), net returns (36.50 103 /ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.33). Similarly, significantly higher NPK uptake was with this treatment combination. In the succeeding chickpea, application of 25 kg/ha N, 50 kg/ha P and 15 kg/ha ZnSO 4 resulted in significantly higher seed (1.38 t/ha) and haulm (1.93 t/ha) yields. This treatment also recorded signifi- cantly higher gross returns (47.16 103 /ha), net returns (31.49 103 /ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.40). System productivity of the cropping sequence indicated that significantly higher maize-equivalent yield (9.22 t/ha), system production efficiency (41.92 kg/ha/day) and system net returns (67.99 103 /ha) were observed with the applica- tion of 150 kg/ha N, 75 kg/ha P and 37.5 kg/ha K along with 25 kg/ha ZnSO to maize and 25 kg/ha N, 50 kg/ha P 4 and 15 kg/ha ZnSO to succeeding chickpea. 4