Influence of phosphorus fertilization on productivity and biological sustainability of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) + coriander (Coriandrum sativum) intercropping system

Abstract

The productivity and competitive ability of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) were evaluated
under different row ratios of intercropping and phosphorus management in a field experiment that took place at the Norman E.
Borlaug Crop Research Centre in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2012–13 and 2013–14. In
comparison to intercropping systems, solitary cropping produced much more seeds from both input crops. Even though the
chickpea-equivalent yield was comparable to that of solo cropping at 3.40 t/ha, the combination of chickpeas and coriander (4:2)
(3.71 t/ha) produced a far greater yield. The chickpea + coriander (4:2) system outperformed the others in terms of land-
equivalent ratio (1.32) and production efficiency (27.49 kg/ha/day). There was no evidence that intercropping systems affected
the relative crowding coefficient (RCC) or aggressiveness (A). Chickpea plus coriander (4:2) resulted in a much lower chickpea
competition ratio (CR) compared to chickpea + coriander (3:1). The phosphorus absorption by grains of solo chickpea was much
greater than that of sole coriander, although it was on level with the other systems. When comparing solo chickpea and sole
coriander, the chickpea plus coriander (4:2) combination yielded higher net yields (120.59 × 10¹ /ha). With a benefit-to-cost ratio
of 3.42, chickpeas and coriander in a 4:1 ratio were just as effective as solitary coriander. While there were no statistically
significant differences in the phosphorus levels in terms of chickpea-equivalent yields, LER, RCC, production efficiency, or
phosphorus absorption by grains, there were significant differences in terms of phosphorus levels. While there was no
statistically significant difference between the various phosphorus doses, the competition ratio exhibited a reversal pattern,
falling sharply as the dosage increased. At 30 kg P2O5 + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria/ha, however, the benefit-cost ratio was
greater (2.65)