Effects of Tillage Systems and Legumes-based Intercropping on Soil Health and Cotton Yield

Conservation agriculture practices like zero tillage and legume intercropping promote sustainable crop production and improve soil health. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of conventional and zero tillage methods, nitrogen levels and intercropped legumes on soil health and production of cotton. The treatments for the study included: two tillage systems (conventional and zero), two nitrogen levels [(recommended dose (225 kg ha-1) and 20% reduced dose (180 kg ha-1)] and four cropping systems (sole cotton, cotton + mung bean, cotton + cluster bean and cotton + cowpea). Results revealed that cotton growth was better in the plots under conventional tillage and number of bolls per plant and average boll weight were 7% and 4% higher in conventional tillage plots compared with those of zero tillage plots. Seed cotton yield was 7% higher in the conventional tillage plots compared with the yield of zero tillage plots. There was no major effect of nitrogen levels on soil health parameters while growth and yield of cotton crop and intercropped legumes were better in plots where recommended dose of nitrogen was used. The findings of the study also revealed that mung bean grown as intercrop showed maximum number of pods (37) and yield (231 kg ha-1) and its intercropping resulted in 2% more seed cotton yield than the yield obtained under the plots where sole cotton was grown. Soil health was observed to be improved in the plots under zero tillage and bulk density was 17% less in the zero tillage plots. Meanwhile soil moisture, soil N, P and K contents were 3%, 13%, 9% and 2% higher respectively under zero tillage plots than plots under conventional tillage. This study, along with other conservation agriculture practices, can promote zero tillage and legume intercropping for sustainable farming.