Effect of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources on Growth, Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Fodder Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the varying organic and inorganic nutrient sources on fodder cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in the kharif of 2017 at ICAR- NDRI, Karnal. The result revealed that application of 100% RDF (N,P,K) along with biofertilizers (rhizobium, PSB, potassium and zinc solubilizer bacteria) (T6) gave significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in plant height (204.6 cm), primary branches (6.1), root length (24.47 cm), green matter yield (334.5 q ha-1), CGR (8.13 g m-2 day-1), RGR (4.68 g g-1 day-1), K content (1.45%) in plant, P uptake (23.01 kg ha-1) and K uptake (86.04 kg ha-1) and available Zn status (0.465 ppm) in soil, after harvesting of the crop. However, N content (2.93%) in plant, N uptake (172.51 kg ha-1) and Zn uptake (192.03 g ha-1) was maximum with the application of 66.67% RDF along with biofertilizers consortium (T7). Application of 100% RDF along with PSB (T3) recorded highest number of nodule (33), P content in plant (0.389%) and available P status (24.76 g ha-1) in soil, after harvest. Further studies that, available N status (208.03 kg h-1), K status (221.27 kg ha-1) in soil, after harvest and Zn content (33.31 ppm) in plant were significantly higher with these treatments like T8 -15 N, 60 P2O5, 40 K2O kg ha-1 along with rhizobium, T4 -100% RDF along with K solubilizer and T11 -FYM 5 t ha -1 with biofertilizers, respectively. In context of the economics of fodder cowpea production, highest gross return (Rs. 53525 ha-1) was obtained from T6 while maximum net return (Rs. 31351 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (1.45) were worked out maximum with the treatment T7.

Growth, Productivity and Profitability of Fodder Sorghum and Cluster Bean as Influenced by Mixed Cropping and Nutrient Management

“…in plants and thus contributed to higher dry matter accumulation and yield. Present findings are in tune with that of Hamidi et al (2006), Yadav et al (2007) and Dutta et al (2019).…”

Growth and Yield Responses of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) as Influenced by Crop Geometry and Nutrient Management Practices

“…On pooled data basis, it was reported that combination of organic, inorganic and seaweed application (N3, N2 and N4) (25.95, 25.21 and 24.71) significantly enhanced the nodule counts from the inorganic treatment (N1) (21.88) and also at par with organic treatment (N5) (24.32) at 50 DAS of crop. However, at the time of harvest, integrated nutrient management treatment (N3) (46.92) had significantly higher nodule count than rest of the treatments and lowest value showed in inorganic treatment (N1) (36.87) (Dutta et al, 2021). There was significant reduction in nodule number at fully inorganic treated plot due to integrated application of organic manures in the form of vermicompost and mustard oil cake improved nodulation as nitrogen was released slowly after decomposition from these manures (Ghosh et al, 2004).…”

Weed Management under Phosphorus Enrichment in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

“…Hence, improvement in these components under phosphorus application reflected in higher uptake of nutrients by the crops. Hadwani and Gundalia (2005) and Dutta et al (2020).…”

“…The marked increment of N, P and K concentration in plant parts with the application of increased phosphorus seems to be on account of its pivotal role in the formation of roots, their proliferation, microbial population and activity in the soil. (Meena et al 2016;Dutta et al 2020).…”