No-till broccoli production using different cover crop residues and nitrogen doses

ABSTRACT No-till vegetable farming is a feasible alternative to reduce erosion-induced losses and increase soil nutrient availability, because cover crop residue protects the its decomposition promotes cycling, which can improve yield of subsequent crop. The present study assessed production crops agronomic performance broccoli grown on this using different nitrogen doses in no-till system. A randomized block design was used, split-split plot arrangement main plots (cover crops), sub-plots (N doses) sub-sub (decomposition times), with four repetitions. Seven were studied, as follows: [1) signal grass (SG); 2) sunn hemp (SH); 3) pearl millet (PM): 4) SG+SH; 5) SG+PM; 6) SH+PM 7) SG+SH+PM]; addition topdressing [T1) no N application (control); T2) 60 kg/ha N; T3) 90 T4) 120 N]; five times: zero (cutting), 15, 30, days after transplanting (DAT) seedlings. Cover dry weight (DW) production, decomposition, head fresh (HFW) (HDW) (YLD) assessed. Among crops, intercropped SG+SH treatment exhibited lowest DW and, along grass, shortest half-life (T½) highest rate. best-performing plants those PM, SH combination both crops. obtained residue, regardless topdressing, HFW 788 g/plant YLD 30 t/ha.