Influence of applied as well as residual phosphorus and defoliant on yield and nutrient uptake of maize under pigeonpea-maize cropping system

A field experiment was conducted at college farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during 2016-17 and 2017-18 on applied as well as residual phosphorus and defoliant on maize under pigeonpea-maize cropping system. Various RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizer) doses and defoliant were applied to the pigeonpea crop and different RDP (Recommended dose of Phosphorous) supplied to the maize crop. The results of the investigation revealed that the maize plant exhibited maximum values of yield and uptakes of NPK by applying combination of residual 20: 75: 0 NPK (Kg ha^-1) + Defoliant (T₇) + 100% RDP (S₃) during both years of study. Highest grain yield of 8730 kg ha^-1 (2016) and 8932 kg ha^-1 (2017) and maximum total NPK uptakes of 226.77, 57.53 and 199.14 kg ha^-1 (2016) and 245.89,57.52 and 208.14 kg ha^-1 (2017) was obtained by applying combination of residual 20: 75: 0 NPK (Kg ha^-1) + Defoliant (T₇) + 100% RDP (S₃) and is on par with 20: 50: 0 NPK (Kg ha^-1) + Defoliant (T₆) + 100% RDP (S₃) of maize crop in pigeonpea-maize cropping system.