Profitability and Physiological Traits of Canola as Affected by Various Green Manure Management Scenarios and Inorganic Nitrogen Application
Profitability and Physiological Traits of Canola as Affected by Various Green Manure Management Scenarios and Inorganic Nitrogen Application
Khalid Ali1*, Amanullah Jan2
ABSTRACT
Integration of green manuring crops along with the inorganic fertilizers in the prevailing cropping system may increase crop productivity and net profitability through improving soil physico-chemical properties and fertility. Two years field experiments were conducted at the Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab, Peshawar- Pakistan (semiarid conditions) to investigate the effect of two green manuring crop species (guar and millet), their incorporation age (40, 70 and 100 days after sowing, DAS) and parts (whole plants incorporation and stubbles incorporation) under varying nitrogen levels (0, 75 and 100 kg ha-1) on physiology, yield and economic returns of Canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Bulbul-98). The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Findings of the experiment revealed that guar as previously green manuring crop considerably increased leaf area index (LAI) 4.4, crop growth rate (CGR) 5.7 g m-2 d-1, seed yield (2329 kg ha-1) and harvest index (22.10%). Incorporation of whole plant had significantly increased LAI (4.1), seed yield (2226 kg ha-1) and harvest index (22.1%) of canola crop over stubbles incorporation. Decrease in CGR and grain yield was observed with delaying green manuring (40 > 70 > 100 DAS). Increase in LAI, CGR, grain yield and harvest index was noticed with increasing N rate (0 < 75 < 100 kg ha-1). Increase in canola yield was observed during 2nd year of the experiment. A linear increase in seed yield of canola was observed with increase in N levels in both guar and millet sown as preceding green manuring crops irrespective of their age at incorporation. Calculating the economic returns guar incorporation after 40 days of sowing along with 100 kg nitrogen ha-1 resulted in higher value cost ratio (VCR) of 4.4 Hence, it was concluded that the inclusion of legumes and their incorporation either at 40 or 70 DAS coupled with 100 kg N ha-1 showed promising results and thus could be used for enhancing overall farm productivity and net economic returns of the farming community.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
