Effect of Phosphorus Management on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Abstract

Aims: The study aims to evaluate the Phosphorus Management in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] in Loamy Sand. Background: Phosphorus is one of the important and major nutrients required by the crops and the soil conditions affect the availability of phosphorus. Inadequate and imbalanced application of phosphatic fertilizers by farmers is one of the most important limiting factors in pulse crop production. The most obvious effect of phosphorus is on the root system of plants. Cowpea is highly responsive to fertilizer application. Methodology: The field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2019 at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, India. The experiment consisting of nine treatment combinations was evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with four replications. Results: The results revealed that significantly higher plant height at 30 DAS, plant height at harvest, number of branches, number of nodules, fresh weight, dry weight of nodules and number of pods per plant were recorded under the treatment 30 kgP2O5 ha-1 + enriched compost (1t ha -1) + Mycorrhiza application(T9) as compared to rest of the treatments. Significantly higher values of all the above parameters were recorded which ultimately reflected in higher seed (1497 kg ha-1) and stover (2257 kg ha-1) yields, but it remained at par with all the other treatments except T1, T2 and T3. Conclusion: The study concludes that the combined application of enriched compost (1 t/ha), mycorrhiza (100 g/kg seed), and 30 kg/ha P2O5 (DAP) in loamy sand significantly improves growth and yield attributes of cowpea, resulting in higher seed and stover yield.