Assessing the influence of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of Black gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of combined application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of black gram. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment comprises eight treatments viz. Control (no application of manures and fertilizer), Recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF), Cowdung @ 5 t ha^-1 + 50% of RDF, Poultry manure @ 5 t ha^-1 + 50% of RDF, Vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 + 50% of RDF, Cowdung @ 5 t ha^-1 + Poultry manure @ 5 t ha^-1 + 50% of RDF, Cowdung @ 5 t ha^-1 + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 + 50% of RDF and Poultry manure @ 5 t ha^-1 + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 + 50% of RDF. Combined application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers exerted significance influence on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of black gram. At growth, the tallest plant (38.74 cm), the highest number of leaves plant^-1 (15.55), leaf dry weight plant^-1 (6.99 g) and stem dry weight plant^-1 (3.01 g) of black gram at 50 days after sowing (DAS) were obtained from poultry manure @ 5 t ha^-1 and vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 along with 50% of RDF. While, at 50 DAS, the highest number of nodules plant^-1 (55.22) was recorded from cowdung @ 5 t ha^-1 along with 50% of RDF and the highest number of SPAD value plant^-1 (42.03) was found in poultry manure @ 5 t ha^-1 along with 50% of RDF. Again, at maturity, the highest number of seeds pod^-1 (5.86), yield plant^-1 (7.77 g), grain yield m^-2 (130.70 g) and total dry weight plant^-1 (17.21 g) were obtained from poultry manure @ 5 t ha^-1 and vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 along with 50% of RDF. Therefore, it can be concluded that poultry manure @ 5 t ha^-1 and vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 along with 50% of RDF combination might be a promising practice for black gram cultivation.