Boron application to pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan L.] improves crop productivity and boron nutrition in Typic ustochrept soils of North-Western India

Abstract

Agricultural plants have shown narrow range between deficiency and toxicity of boron (B), thus its inadequate supply poses a detrimental effect on the crop yield by lowering the grain setting. Thus, the present study was conducted to optimize the adequate level of B soil application on widely consumed pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan L.] for higher yield. Boron was applied at 0.62, 1.25, 2.50, 5.0 and 10.0 kg ha−1 through soil application on Typic ustochrept soil. Boron fertigation at 1.25 kg ha−1 improved the number of filled pods possibly due to the facilitated pollen germination and tube growth which led to the fertilization, thus enhancing grain yield. Additionally, the B fertigation at 1.25 kg ha−1 was highly efficient in increasing the grain as well as stover yield exhibiting values of 13.6 q ha−1 and 133.9 q ha−1, respectively. The above treatment also led to the significant enhancement of B concentration and its uptake in grain and stover of pigeonpea. Economic analysis further confirmed the higher potential of B fertigation at 1.25 kg ha−1 on the basis of improved net return and B:C ratio as compared to the other soil treatments. Therefore, B fertigation at 1.25 kg ha−1 significantly improved the growth parameters, yield, B content as well as economic profit, which could be considered as the most efficient soil treatment for alleviating the B deficiency in pigeonpea.