Effect of Foliar Application of Different Organic Sources and Levels of Fertilizer on Growth Attributes, Yield Attributes, Yield, Quality and Economics of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

Abstract

Background: Productivity of cowpea in our country is very low. So, there is need to take proper agronomic practices to enhance the productivity of cowpea and foremost important among them is foliar application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients exploiting genetic potential of crop. This is considered to be an efficient and economic method of supplementing part of nutrient requirement at critical growth stages of the crop. Foliar application is credited with the advantage of quick and efficient utilization of nutrients, elimination of losses through leaching, fixation and regulating uptake of nutrients by the plant. In view of above consideration, the experiment entitled “Influence of foliar application of different organic sources on growth, yield and quality of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) under varying levels of fertilizer” was conducted with objectives to study the effect of different levels of fertilizer on growth, yield and quality of cowpea, to study the effect of foliar application of different organic sources on growth, yield and quality of cowpea, to study the interaction effect of different levels of fertilizer and foliar application of organic sources and to study the economics of different treatments. Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri (M.S.) during Rabi 2019-20. Field experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design. The fertilizer levels comprised of three levels viz., F1: 100% RDF, F2: 75% RDF and F3: 50% RDF and foliar application consisted of five different organic sources viz., S0: Control, S1: Panchagavya @ 3%, S2: Vermiwash @ 10%, S3: Cow urine @ 5% and S4: Vasant urja @ 0.5%. There were 15 treatment combinations replicated three times. Result: It can be concluded that for growing cowpea, it should be supplied with 100% RDF and sprayed with panchagavya @ 3% or cow urine @ 5% foliar application, so as to obtain higher yield and economic returns.