Response of integrated nutrient management and intercropping in cotton in new alluvial zone of West Bengal

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the best intercropping system along with integrated nutrient management for higher productivity, soil fertility build up, nutrient utilization by crops and economies of cotton in New Alluvial zone of West Bengal. The maximum seed-cotton yield (1830.50 kg/ha) was recorded in sole cotton but the maximum net production value (3.80) and cotton equivalent yield (2346.73 kg/ha) were recorded in cotton-blackgram cropping system. The maximum uptake of nutrients (69.35, 34.25 and 72.37 kg ha-1 N, P and K) by crops and the soil nutrient status after harvesting of 4th crop in system (1460, 41.51 and 199.00 kg ha-1 N, P and K) were recorded in cotton-blackgram intercropping system. Among the nutritional management, treatments receiving 75% recommended dose of fertilizer of N, P and K along with 25% N through FYM recorded highest seed-cotton yield, cotton equivalent yield, net production value, nutrient uptake by crops and fertility status of soil. Based on the result, it is concluded that cotton-blackgram intercropping system with 75% recommended dose of fertilizer of N, P and K along with 25% N through FYM is a recommendable option for achieving higher yield, economic benefit, nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status by cotton in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal, India.