Effect of Saline Water Irrigation and Organic Amendments on the Growth and Quality Characters of Cluster Bean

Abstract

The pot experiment was carried out to test the salinity tolerance level of MDU - 1 in the presence of organic manures. A pot experiment was conducted in the pot culture yard of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Cuddalore District, during January - May, 2024. Crop was raised using selected saline tolerant Cluster bean variety MDU -1 as test crop. The experimental soil was sandy loam in texture and taxonomically classified as Typic Ustifluvent. The treatments consisted of three levels of salinity viz., S1–Control (bore well water), S2 (EC-2.5 dS m-1) and S3 (EC-5.0 dS m-1) and four different sources of organic manures viz., O1- Humic acid (HA), O2-FYM, O3-Vermicompost (VC) and O4-Composted coirpith (CCP). The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD) with three replications. The results of the pot experiment clearly indicated the response of cluster bean to saline water irrigation and soil application of different organic manures. Among the three levels of salinity tried, the treatment S1, irrigated through bore well water recorded the highest response in respect of growth and quality characters of Clusterbean as compared to saline water irrigation treatment S2 and S3. All the sources of organics evaluated proved significant to increase the growth and quality characters of clusterbean. However, the effect was much pronounced with vermicompost applied treatments as compared to humic acid, composted coirpith and FYM. Among the various treatment combinations, application of vermicompost at 12.5 t ha-1 through soil and irrigated with bore well water (S1O3) excelled the other treatments in respect of the growth, yield and nutrient uptake   by clusterbean. However, this was followed by the treatment S1O1, which received soil application of humic acid at 30 kg ha-1 and irrigated with borewell water. Further, the quality parameters like crude protein, crude fibre and gum content in clusterbean pods were also positively improved by the application of vermicompost @ 12.5 t ha-1 through soil and irrigated with bore well water (S1O3). However, it was followed by treatment S2O3 (VC + saline water irrigation). Hence, soil application of vermicompost @ 12.5 t ha-1 and saline water (EC-2.5 dS m-1) irrigation to saline tolerant clustebean variety MDU-1 was identified as best treatment combination for sustainable clusterbean production under saline water irrigation.