Evaluation of Organic Foliar Applications for Sustainable Rice Fallow Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.) Production

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during January to March, 2024 at the Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, to evaluate the organic foliar applications for sustainable rice-fallow black gram (Vigna mungo L.) production. The study consisted of ten treatments comprising organic and inorganic foliar sprays, arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Among the treatments, The foliar application of Vermiwash 2% on 30 DAS + Panchagavya 3% on 45 DAS (T₇) proved most effective, resulting in the highest grain yield (579 kg ha⁻¹) and haulm yield (1773 kg ha⁻¹), with 130.7% and 91.9% increases over the control, respectively. Nutrient uptake of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O also increased by 113.5%, 109.4% and 575.2%, respectively. The superior yield and profitability (BCR 2.38) with a gross return of Rs. 47,206 ha-1, net return of Rs.27,350 ha-1 and over 1200% higher net returns compared to control, highlight the synergistic effect of organic foliar nutrition in enhancing physiological activity, nutrient assimilation and sustainability of rice-fallow blackgram cultivation.