Gugulothu Sumitra
Abstract
The study entitled âProductivity and soil nutrient dynamics in skip row planting of deshi cotton with various intercropsâ was conducted at Post Graduate Research Farm, Agronomy Section, College of Agriculture, Dhule (Maharashtra) during kharif season of 2018-19. The results revealed that sole skip row planting of cotton registered the highest seed cotton yield (Rs. 1966.48 kg ha-1) than skip row planting of cotton + pearl millet (2:1) (Rs. 925.70 kg ha-1), however, it is on par with rest of the treatments. Similar trend was observed in respect of yield of stalk kg ha-1. There was a drastic reduction in seed cotton yield ha-1due to pearl millet intercropping (52.9 %) as compared to sole skip row planting of cotton. The least yield reduction in cotton was observed with black gram (3.06%) and green gram (3.62%) as intercrops. The cost of cultivation of skip row planting of cotton+ pearl millet (2:1) is higher (Rs. 40491ha-1) and minimum cost of cultivation (Rs. 37596 ha-1) was recorded in sole cotton and sole skip row planting of cotton. The highest gross monetary returns (Rs.112960 ha-1), net monetary returns (Rs. 73546 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.87) were obtained with the skip row planting of cotton + green gram (2:1). Skip row planting of cotton + pearl millet (2:1) recorded lowest gross returns (Rs. 69079ha-1), net returns (Rs. 28588 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.71). The available soil nitrogen content was significantly higher in skip row planting of cotton+ green gram (2:1) at 178.75 kg ha-1. The available phosphorus content was higher in skip row planting of cotton + soybean (2:1) at 29.89 kg ha-1 and the available potassium content was higher in skip row planting of cotton and black gram (2:1) at 248.80 kg ha-1). Minimum available nitrogen (144.25 kg ha-1), phosphorus (16.08 kg ha-1) and potassium (224.93 kg ha-1) content was observed in the skip row planting of cotton + pearl millet (2:1).