Production potential of rice (Oryza sativa)-wheat (Triticurn aestivum) cropping system under different methods of crop establishment

A field experiment was conducted at New Delhi during 1994-96 on sandy- loam soil analysing low in N and medium in availzble P, K and S. Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] receiving 80 kg P20$ha produced taller plants and more branchedplant than 40 kg P20$ha, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and no phosphorus. However, podslplant, seedslpod, 1,000-seed weight and yield of pigeonpea did not record marked increase beyond 40 kg P,O,/ha. Similarly, the growth (plant height, branching and leaf-area index) and yield attributes (poddplant, seeddpod and 1,000-seedweight) and yield of pigeonpea showed favourable response up to 30 kg Sha only. In wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol) grown after pigeonpea, the maximum values of growth (plant height and total tillerslm row length) and-yield attributes (productive tillerslm row length, seedslspike and 1,000-seedlweight) and yield of wheat were recorded with 80 kg P20,, and 60 kg Sha applied to pigeonpea crop. The highest net return from the cropping system was obtained when pigeonpea was fertilized with 80 kg P20, and 60 kg S/ha and wheat was grown on residual - fertility. Key words : Pigeonpea, Wheat, Phosphorus, Sulphur