Nutrient and microbial dynamics and nutrient uptake in wheat and chickpea intercropping system under limited moisture conditions

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of wheat + chickpea intercropping system under limited moisture conditions on soil microbial and nutrient dynamics and nutrient uptake by component crops during rabi 2013–14 and 2014–15. The crops were raised by applying one pre-sowing irrigation and one post-sowing irrigation at ear initiation in wheat. The available nitrogen in soil was the highest (138.9 kg ha⁻¹ each) in wheat + chickpea 1: 2, 1: 3 and 3: 3 row ratios during 1^st year but during 2^nd year, it was the highest (137.1 kg ha⁻¹) in the 3: 3 row ratio. The available phosphorus was the highest in wheat + chickpea 1: 2 row ratio and the available potassium was the highest in their 2: 1 row ratio during both the years. The population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in soil was significantly higher in wheat + chickpea 1: 1 raito and it was the lowest in sole wheat. The highest uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by wheat was recorded in wheat + chickpea 2: 1 intercropping system, whereas the highest uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the chickpea was in sole chickpea. The nitrogen and potassium uptake was the highest in wheat + chickpea 2: 3 raito and that of phosphorus was the highest in 2: 1 row ratio during 1^st year, while nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by the system was highest in 2: 1 row ratio during 2^nd year of study.