Impact of NPK and Vermicompost on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil of Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) Cv. Pusa Navbahar

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry department’s central research farm during the Kharif season, 2022-24. The plots were laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatment combinations that were replicated three times and randomly allocated. A variety of cluster bean, Pusa Navbahar was taken for the study trial. Recommended doses of fertilizers (NPK @ 0, 50, and 100%) was applied along with Vermicompost (Vermicompost @ 0.0, 2 and 4 t ha-1). The results obtained showed that T1 (Absolute Control) recorded maximum particle density (2.55 Mg m-3 and 2.55 Mg m-3) and bulk density (1.35 Mg m-3 and 1.36 Mg m-3) at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth, respectively. The results showed slight change in soil pH i.e., pH was recorded maximum (6.88 and 6.89) at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth, respectively in T1 (Absolute Control). EC (0.46 dS m-1 and 0.47 dS m-1), Organic carbon (0.39% and 0.38%), Pore space (49.60% and 48.81%), Water holding capacity (46.48% and 46.89%), Available Nitrogen (288.05 kg ha-1 and 285.22 kg ha-1), Available Phosphorus (25.28 kg ha-1 and 24.28 kg ha-1) and Available Potassium (201.36 kg ha-1 and 193.73 kg ha-1) was measured maximum in T9 (NPK @ 100% + Vermicompost @ 100%) at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth, respectively. Among all the treatment combinations, the increase in NPK (kg ha-1) was found to be significant in cluster bean. Additionally, the research showed that using vermicompost along with NPK was a superior method of fertilization than using these components alone.