Influence of nutrient management with organic manures on productivity, profitability and quality of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)-chickpea (Cicer arietinum) sequence

A field experiment was conducted at Jamnagar, Gujarat during 2010–11 to 2013–14 on clayey soil, to improve the productivity and sustainability of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]-chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cropping sequence with organic source of nutrient supply. Nine treatments comprising application of farmyard ma-nure (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 t/ha), vermicompost (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 t/ha), farmyard manure (FYM) + vermicompost (2.5 + 1.0 t/ha) only in pearl millet crop and absolute control were compared with recommended dose of fertilizer [(RDF) 80-17-0 kg for pearl millet and 20-17-0 kg N-P-K/ha for chickpea). Among the organic sources, an application of 7.5 t FYM/ha to pearl millet recorded the highest values of yield attributes and yield in pearl millet (1.59 t grain and 3.92 t stover/ha) and beneficial residual effect on yield attributes and productivity of succeeding chickpea (2.37 t seed and 2.60 t stalk/ha) and remained at par with RDF. Pearl millet grain-equivalent yield (8.48 t/ha) and production (19.42 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (399.6 /ha/day) were also comparable under 7.5 t FYM/ha with RDF. The maximum net returns were obtained under RDF ( 81, 521/ha), while the maximum benefit: cost ratio (BCR) was observed with FYM 7.5 t/ha (2.84). Protein content in pearl millet and chickpea increased with the increase in the dose of FYM and vermicompost and the highest protein content (10.73% for pearl millet and 23.25% for chickpea) was recorded with 7.5 t FYM/ha. Significantly the lowest bulk density (1.36 Mg/m3) and highest porosity (46.3%) were noted with 7.5 t FYM/ha compared to absolute control and RDF. Lower pH (7.60), higher organic carbon (6.0 g/kg) and significantly higher post-harvest soil-nutrients status (223.4, 11.3 and 329.8; N, P and K/ha) were observed with 7.5 t FYM/ha compared to initial status of soil.