Combating Nitrogen Crisis Management of Green Manuring Intercrops in Sugarcane

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2002-04, 2003-05 and 2004-06 for three plant canes at Central Sugarcane Research Station, Padegaon, Maharashtra, India to assess the possibility to reduce nitrogen dose by growing green manuring crops in preseasonal sugarcane and to find out suitable green manuring intercrop in preseasonal sugarcane. Amongst all green manures as intercrops berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) had registered highest green yield in three successive cutting at 55, 75 and 100 days followed by lucem (Medicago Sativare), sunhemp (Crotolaria juncea) and dhaincha (Sesbania aculeate). Significantly highest cane yield (119.85 t ha-1), CCS yield (15.63 t ha 1 ) was recorded when berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) was taken as green manuring crop in preseasonal sugarcane. Whereas in case of levels 100 per cent recorded significantly highest cane yield (123.64 t ha· 1) , CCS yield (16.03 t ha· 1 ) and average cane weight (1.19 kg). The berseem (Trifolium alexandrium), lucem (Medicago Sativare) and sunhemp (Crotolaria juncea) recorded significantly higher organic carbon content than dhaincha (Sesbania aculeate). As regard fertility status at harvest, ber eem (Trifolium alexandrium) recorded significantly highest available N (220 kg ha 1) and K (403 kg ha· 1 ). Higher uptake ofNPK observed when, berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) was taken as green manuring crop.