Optimization of phosphorus management in soybean-safflower cropping sequence through integrated nutrient supply in vertisol

摘要

Area under soybean crop is increasing day by day and at present it has occupied second place in the edible oilseed production in India. With the development of early maturing soybean varieties in the recent past it fits very well in the cropping system of Maharashtra and is highly remunerative. Soybean (Kharif) followed by safflower (rabi) has become a very popular system in vertisol where protective irrigation is available for rabi crop. Both the crops being oilseed crops in soybean - safflower system, phosphorus requirement is relatively higher and hence phosphorus management holds the key to sustainability of cropping system. Low soil fertility and inadequate manuring are major causes of low yields of both crops. Oilseed legumes have relatively high phosphorus requirement as they play important role in metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids as well as in many oxidation - reduction reactions.