Effect of green-manuring through Sesbania cannabina and Sesbania rostrata and nitrogen application through urea to maize (Zea mays) in maize-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

A field experiment was carried out during 1998-99 and 1999-2000 using 'Ganga 2' maize (Zea mays L.) and 'Raj. 3077' wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) varieties in maize-wheat cropping system with 3 green-manuring treatment, viz. given-manuring with Sesbania cannabina, Sesbania rostrata and without green-manuring, in maize crop and 5 levels of nitrogen, viz. N-0, N-30, N-60 N-90 and N-120 in subplots. Green-manuring with S. cannabina and S. rostrata with 90 kg N/ha to maize crop increased grain yield by 10.69 and 10.49 q/ha over the control respectively. Sesbania cannabina and S. rostrata alone increased maize grain yield by 2.87 and 2.77 q/ha over the control respectively. Green-manuring either of the Sesbania species + 30 kg N/ha gave maize yield at par with 90 kg N/ha alone. It indicated that green-manuring was equivalent to 60 kg nitrogen. Green-manuring with S. cannabina also increased the grain yield (30.27 q/ha). Application of 90 kg N/ha with and without Sesbania species in maize crop also significantly increased the grain yield (29.07 q/ha) of succeeding wheat crop over that of the control (24.69 q/ha).