The Effect of Biological and Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizers on Pinto Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Black Mustard (Brasassica nigra L.) Intercropping

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objective: In order to evaluate the effect of application of biological and chemical nitrogen fertilizers on the intercropping of pinto bean and black mustard, this experiment was conducted. Materials and Methods: The first factor was considered at four levels: No fertilizer, bio-fertilizers (azotobarvar 1 and barvar 2), bio-fertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizers urea (125 kg.ha-1) and bio-fertilizers + 100% chemical fertilizers urea (250 kg.ha-1). The cropping pattern was also classified as the second factor in four levels: pure bean, pure black mustard, incremental intercropping with a ratio of 50% black mustard, optimum density of pinto bean mono-cropping, and an incremental intercropping with optimum density of two species in mono-cropping. Results: Ground cover percentage, leaf chlorophyll index and grain yield in pinto bean and black mustard and also the oil yield of black mustard increased by application of bio-fertilizer + 100% urea fertilizer. The lowest seed oil content was obtained from bio-fertilizer + 100% chemical fertilizer treatment. The highest percentage ground cover of pinto bean and black mustard (93.08%) and maximum leaf chlorophyll index of pinto bean (23.61) were obtained in incremental intercropping with optimum density of two species in mono-cropping. The highest grain yield of pinto bean (3269.92 kg.ha-1) and black mustard (2066.65 kg.ha-1) and yield of black mustard oil (865.65 kg.ha-1) were obtained in their pure cultivation. Conclusion: Based on the land equivalent ratio and relative value total indices, it was evident that intercropping of pinto bean and black mustard was more beneficial than mono-cropping.

Keywords

• bio-fertilizers
• black mustard
• chemical fertilizers
• pinto bean
• seed oil