Effect of Leaf Pruning and Additional Fertilizer on Growth and Young Pods Yield of Winged Beans

Abstract

Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) exhibits luxuriant foliage, making leaf pruning essential to enhance sunlight interception. Additionally, supplementing with additional fertilizer helps offset the impact of gradual harvesting. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the effect of leaf pruning and additional fertilizer on the growth and yield parameter of winged beans in the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) experimental station at Leuwikopo, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia. A randomized complete block design was used with two factors and three replications, namely leaf pruning intensities (0, 15, and 30% leaf pruning) and rates of additional fertilizer (0, 6.25, 12.5, and 18.5 g NPK 16-16-16/plant). The observed variables were plant height, leaf number, root length, leaf nutrient, auxin content, nutrient uptake, and young pods yield. The findings revealed that the interaction of pruning intensities and additional fertilizer rates significantly influenced leaf number and root length. Specifically, plants receiving a treatment combination without pruning and 6.25 g of additional fertilizer/plant exhibited the highest leaf number. In contrast, those subjected to 15% leaf pruning showed the greatest root length. Leaf nutrient levels, auxin content, and nutrient uptake exhibited noticeable improved with the addition of fertilizer. Meanwhile, a higher phosphorus and organic carbon content was observed in the 15% pruning treatment, and the young pods yield were not affected because the Fairuz variety reached its potential yield. Based on the results, the most recommended treatment is a combination without leaf pruning, supplemented with 6.25 g of additional fertilizer/plant.