Integrated Plant Nutrition System for Mungbean-T. Aus-T. Aman Cropping Pattern in the Ganges Tidal Floodplain

Abstract

The study was undertaken in farmers’ fields of Dumki, Patuakhali and Amtali, Barguna in 2010 and 2011. The objective was to develop suitable integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS) for the Mungbean-T. aus–T. aman cropping pattern in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. The experimental fields belong to Ganges Tidal Floodplain (AEZ 13) having low soil organic matter and N & P contents. There were seven treatments for Mungbean which include T1: control (no fertilizer or manure), T2: High yield goal (soil test basis) from chemical fertilizers, T3: HYG with IPNS (CD 3 t ha-1), T4: HYG with IPNS (CD 5 t ha-1), T5: HYG with IPNS (PM 1.5 t ha-1), T6: HYG with IPNS (PM 3 t ha-1) and T7: Farmer practice. For T. aus and T. aman rice, the treatments were T1: control, T2 : 100% chemical fertilizer (STB) ; T3 : 75% P, K & Zn of T2; T4 : 50% P, K & Zn of T2; T5 : 75% P, K & Zn of T2; T6 : 50% P, K & Zn of T2 and T7 : Farmer practice. All IPNS treatments produced statistically identical seed/grain yield in all crops over the years. Significantly higher yield was observed in the treatments T6 and T4 as compared to T3 (only chemical fertilizer). Farmer practice and control treatments produced statistically similar yield. The IPNS treatments had positive effect on mungbean yield and showed considerable residual effect on the following T. aus rice, but no residual effect on succeeding T. aman rice. Considering the whole cropping system the productivity was higher in IPNS nutrient application. Benefit- cost ratio of the whole cropping system was found to be the highest in the treatment T5 (IPNS treatment with 1.5 t ha-1 poultry manure). Therefore, it can be concluded that farmers of the coastal areas of Bangladesh should follow IPNS fertilizing system using available organic manure like cowdung or poultry manure to increase crop yield as well as to maintain soil fertility.