Effect of green and brown manuring in maize: Wheat cropping system for higher productivity and soil health in command areas

A field experiment on effect of green and brown manuring in maize – wheat cropping system for higher productivity and soil health in UKP command was studied at Agricultural Research Station, Bheemarayanagudi during kharif and rabi seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 to study. The pooled data indicated that the plots treated with green and brown manuring recorded significantly higher organic carbon, available NPK and dehydrogenase activity compared to control (60 cm X 20cm) without manuring. The grain yield of maize (55.35 q ha-1) was significantly higher with sunnhemp as green manuring in 1:2 row proportions compared to sole maize (60 cm x 20 cm) without manuring (43.85 q ha-1) and it was found on par with sunnhemp, cowpea and dhaincha as brown manuring in 1:1 and 1: 2 row proportions in maize. The residual effect of legume species used as green and brown manuring in preceeding maize was affected significantly on succeeding wheat crop. Sunnhemp as green manuring in 1:2 row proportion registered significantly higher grain yield and straw yield of wheat (38.45 q ha-1 and 70.23 q ha -1, respectively.) and it was on par with sunnhemp as brown manuring in 1:2 row proportion. The lowest grain yield (18.35 q ha-1) and straw yield (36.4 q ha-1) were recorded in sole maize plot (60 cm x 20 cm) without manuring in preceeding season. The growth and yield attributing parameters of both the crops were also followed same trend. Varying levels of N did not vary on the performance of wheat. However, higher growth, yield and yield parameters of wheat were recorded in 125% RDN. The net returns also differed significantly among the green and brown manuring practices under maize – wheat cropping system. Sunnhemp as green manuring in 1:2 row proportion (Rs.89,476 ha-1) followed by sunnhemp as brown manuring 1:2 row proportions (Rs. 85,820 ha-1) and sunnhemp as green manuring in 1:1 row proportions (Rs. 84,575 ha-1) were recorded significantly higher net returns. The lowest net returns (Rs. 45,735 ha-1) were recorded in sole maize (60 cm x 20 cm) - wheat sequence. The different nitrogen levels did not differ.