Role of Sulphur and Molybdenum in Improving Nutritional Quality and Profitability of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in the summer of 2020 at the College Farm of N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, located in Navsari, Gujarat. The objective was to assess the role of sulphur and molybdenum in improving nutritional quality and profitability of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) The soil at the experimental site was clayey in texture and slightly alkaline in reaction. The study included nine different treatment combinations. T1 - RDF, T2 - 25 kg S/ha, T3 - 50 kg S/ha, T4 -500 ppm foliar Mo, T5 -0.5 g Mo/kg seed, T6 - 25 kg S + 500 ppm Mo, T7 - 25 kg S + 0.5 g Mo/kg seed, T8 - 50 kg S + 500 ppm Mo and T9 -50 kg S + 0.5 g Mo/kg seed. All treatments were uniformly supplied with the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) at 20-40-00 kg NPK/ha. Sulphur was incorporated into the soil at the time of sowing, whereas molybdenum was applied as a foliar spray at 30 days after sowing (DAS) using 250 L of water per hectare. The experiment followed a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Among the treatments, T6 (25 kg S + 500 ppm Mo) recorded a significant improvement in quality parameters, as well as in the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content and uptake by both seed and haulm. Post-harvest soil analysis revealed that the availability of nitrogen, sulphur and molybdenum was influenced by the different sulphur and molybdenum treatments. However, soil phosphorus and potassium levels after harvest were not significantly affected by any of the treatments.