Effect of Integrated Sources of Nutrients on Growth, Yield and Economics of Cowpea (Vigna unguculata L.) var Ankur Gomati

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in randomized block design with 7 treatments and 3 replications to study the effect of fertilizers, organic manures, biochar and crop residues on growth. yield and economics of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in Inceptisols of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India in 2022. A research variety Ankur Gomati was taken for this research trial. Recommended doses of fertilizers (N, P2O5 and K2O @ 25, 75 and 60 kg ha-1) was applied with inorganic fertilizers (Zn and B), organic manures (FYM, vermicompost, neem cake and poultry manure), biochar and crop residues (rice straw and wheat straw). Growth parameters such as the maximum plant height 46.96 cm, 70.21 cm and 92.22 cm, maximum number of branch plant-1 5.82, 7.56 and 9.79, highest number of leaf plant-1 28.32, 30.56 and 32.22, highest length of leaf as 5.37 cm, 7.31 cm and 9.18 cm were recorded in T7 [RDF + Poultry Manure @2 t ha-1 + Biochar @2.5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @2 t ha-1 + Neem Cake @500 kg ha-1] at 30 DAS, 55 DAS and 70 DAS respectively. And yield parameters such as high pod length as 21.72 cm and 20.01 cm, highest number of pods plant-1 35.52 and 35.75, highest number of seed pod-1 10.01 and 10.21 and highest test weight 27.12 g and 26.23 g were recorded in T7 [RDF + Poultry Manure @2 t ha-1 + Biochar @2.5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @2 t ha-1+ Neem Cake @500 kg ha-1] at 55 DAS and 70 DAS respectively. Highest yield 160.12 q ha-1 were obtained in treatment T7 [RDF + Poultry Manure @2 t ha-1 + Biochar @2.5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @2 t ha-1+ Neem Cake @500 kg ha-1]. Maximum gross return ₹ 2,41,680 was recorded in treatment T7 [RDF + Poultry Manure @2 t ha-1 + Biochar @2.5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @2 t ha-1+ Neem Cake @500 kg ha-1]. Maximum B:C ratio (2.80) was recorded in T4 [RDF + Vermicompost @ 2 t ha-1 + Rice Straw @ 6 t ha-1]. But maximum net return (₹ 1,47,624.1) was recorded in treatment T4 [RDF + Vermicompost @ 2 t ha-1 + Rice Straw @ 6 t ha-1]. The yield and growth parameters also significantly increased with the application of the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers.