Effect of Redgram Residue Incorporation on Yields of Redgram and Foxtail Millet in Redgram-Foxtail Millet Intercropping System

Abstract

The redgram-foxtail millet intercropping system is a sustainable agricultural practice that optimizes resource use, with redgram enriching soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and foxtail millet providing high yields in drought-prone, low-nutrient soils. Foxtail millet is highly valued for its nutritional benefits, including being rich in proteins, fiber, and essential minerals,  while also being drought-tolerant and suitable for cultivation in semi-arid regions, making it crucial for food security and climate-resilient farming. Incorporating redgram residue into soil enhances nutrient availability and organic matter content, improving soil structure and fertility. This practice not only supports the growth of subsequent crops but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices by reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Hence, a field experiment was conducted at RARS, Lam in Kharif, 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effect of organics (Redgram residue and FYM) and bio-fertilizers (VAM and PSB) on grain yields of Redgram and Foxtail millet in Redgram-Foxtail millet intercropping system. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design comprising eight treatments replicated thrice and the treatment combinations include different organics (FYM @ 10 t ha-1, Redgram residue @ 4 t ha-1), Bio-fertilizers and microbial inoculants (Decomposing inoculum, VAM @ 12.5 kg ha-1, PSB @ 1.25 L ha-1) and Inorganic fertilizers (RDF @ 20-50 kg N-P2O5 ha-1). Redgram residue incorporation (RRI) when combined with decomposing inoculum (DI), FYM, VAM and PSB resulted in significantly higher redgram seed yields of 1326 kg ha-1 in Kharif, 2021 and 1492 kg ha-1 in Kharif, 2022 respectively. A similar trend was also observed in foxtail millet in both the years with significantly higher grain yield of 1252 kg ha-1 in Kharif, 2021 and 1492 kg ha-1 in Kharif, 2022 respectively. Redgram equivalent yields were also found to be significantly higher in the treatment involving Redgram residue incorporation (RRI) when combined with decomposing inoculum (DI), FYM, VAM and PSB being 2414 kg ha-1 in Kharif, 2021 and 1997 kg ha-1 in Kharif, 2022 respectively.