Effect of Differential Substitution of Nutrients through Organics on Growth, Quality, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Green Gram (Vigna radiata) in Shiwalik Foothill Region

Abstract

Background: Green gram is one of the ancient and third important conventional pulse crop cultivated throughout India and acclimatized over wide range of agro-climatic zones for its multipurpose uses. Furthermore, imbalanced and inappropriate use of inorganic nutrients worsened the soil resource base by reducing the population of beneficial micro-organisms and also deteriorated the quality of the crops. Increased health consciousness among the masses has augmented the demand for safe and quality foods for which a comprehensive food production technology needs to be developed with emphasises on quality enhancement and yield stability. In fact, it is not affordable for an average Indian farmer to jump immediately from inorganic source of nutrients to organics in their crop production as it may lead to unbearable drastic reduction in crop yields in the initial years. This may become possible through the progressive substitution of organic sources of nutrients in place of in organics to meet crop nutrient requirement for attaining higher and stable crop yield of better quality with an improvement in soil health. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of differential substitution of nutrients through organics on growth, yield, quality, nutrient uptake and economics of green gram in Shiwalik foothill region.Methods: In this field experiment conducted during summer 2016 and 2017, at SKUAST-Jammu, Main Campus Chatha with green gram variety SML-668 on sandy clay loam soil. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with sixteen treatments during both the years using recommended package and practices.Result: The result of the study concluded that RDF and 75% NPK +25% N through Vermicompost and FYM (1:1) were adjudged as the best treatments with regard to crop growth parameters, yield and yield attributes, net returns and benefit cost ratio where as highest crop quality traits were realized where in 100% N was substituted through FYM followed by Vermicompost and Vermicompost and FYM (1:1). Treatment 100% N was substituted through FYM was adjudged as the best treatment in improving crop quality traits and soil properties. Further, for substitution of nutrients, green gram, for immediate shifting from in organics to organics combination of Vermicompost and FYM (1:1) can be the best option for early realization of yield at par with recommended dose of fertilizer.