Abstract

Adoption of suitable cropping system is essential for ensuring the most rational use of land and increasing productivity per unit area per unit time. It is possible to enhance the production potential and remuneration with adoption of alternate productive and profitable cropping. Use of organic amendments has advantages like nutrient conservation, soil health and quality produce also. Long term addition of organic materials to soil results in increased organic matter, crop productivity and soil biological activity. Therefore, the research on productivity enhancement of sodic soil thorough bio intensive complementary cropping systems with organic amendments was conducted during 2017 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, India. The soil of the experiential field was alkali with pH: 8.8, EC: 0.96 ds/m and ESP: 17.1. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three cropping system i.e., Maize + Cowpea + Daincha, Sunflower + Greengram + Daincha and Bhendi + Onion + Daincha with five sub treatment combinations of fertilizers (NPK) and equivalent substitution with organic amendments through Farm yard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM) replicated thrice. In sodic soil, regarding complementary cropping higher maize equivalent yield was recorded by maize + cowpea + daincha (6931 kg/ha) and regarding graded dose of fertilizer with organic amendments higher yield was recorded by 75% recommended NPK through fertilizers + 25% N through poultry manure (5865 kg/ ha). It is concluded that complementary cropping of maize + cowpea + daincha with application of 75% recommended NPK through fertilizers + 25% N through poultry manure may be recommended for sodic soils for soil health improvement and obtained maximum economical benefits.