A field experiment was conducted in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, India, during 1998 to 2004 to study the effect of compost, green leaf manure (subabul ( Leucaena leucocephala) loppings) and chemical fertilizer alone or in combination with organic residues on yield of maize and black gram cultivated in rotation in two blocks as well as in strip and change in soil properties under dryland conditions. Results revealed that application of 15 kg N through compost with 10 kg N through chemical fertilizer (urea) gave the highest yield of maize and subsequent yield in black gram in blocks as well in strips. The treatments where compost and green leaf of subabul were applied for supply of nitrogen along with chemical fertilizers were found at par in a maize block system. Organic carbon and available phosphorus content of the soil increased by the continuous application of compost and fresh green leaf of subabul and there was an indication of lowering of pH as well as electrical conductivity. The bulk density of soil decreased under treatments where compost and green leaf of subabul were used. Maximum infiltration rate of soil was observed with the application of green leaf of subabul along with 10 or 20 kg N through inorganic fertilizer in both block and strip systems.
