Abstract

Under limited moisture conditions integrated nutrient management and conservation agriculture (CA) practices plays a vital role. Information on effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) with CA practices in pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) –mustard (Brassica juncea) system is lacking.  The present experiment was conducted during 2005-06 and 2006-07 in rainy and winter seasons, at IARI, New Delhi, India to investigate the effect of INM and tillage on pearlmillet -mustard system under limited irrigation. Ridge and furrow (RF) sowing produced significantly higher carbon efficiency (CE), energy output, net returns and economic yield (3768 kg ha^-1) of pearlmillet-mustard sequence. The application of 30 kg N + 30 kg P₂O₅ + FYM at 6 t/ha to pearlmillet produced significantly higher yield attributes, economic yield (3982 kg ha^-1), energy output (194023 MJ ha^-1) of the system and CE and net return (189.41 and 315.8 US$ ha^-1) of pearlmillet and mustard individually over control, 30 kg N + 20 kg P₂O₅/ha and sole application of FYM at 6 t/ha. Direct application of 60 kg N + 40 kg P₂O₅/ha to mustard produced significantly higher yield attributes, economic yield (3692 kg ha^-1), energy output (182097 MJ), net return (296.73 US$ ha^-1) and CE (10.80 and 11.51 during both the years), over control and 30 kg N + 20 kg P₂O₅/ha. The application of INM with ridge furrow sowing increased available N and P contents in the soil. Whereas, the consumptive use, moisture use rates and moisture use efficiency were the highest under ridge furrow sowing of pearlmillet-mustard system.

Key words: Carbon efficiency, consumptive use, energy output, pearlmillet-mustard system, N and P balance, soil fertility.