Impact of varied organic manures and biofertilizers on the growth and yield of fenugreek cultivation

Abstract

Organic manures and biofertilizers have a good effect on soil structure and microbial populations, according to studies such as those which can improve the overall health of the agriculture system. The study focuses on the growth, yield-attributing traits, and economic considerations of fenugreek, which is a member of the Fabaceae family and is well-known for its culinary and therapeutic benefits. A recent study was conducted at the Amity Institute of Organic Agriculture’s research farm at Amity University Noida (Uttar Pradesh) during Rabi season 2023-24 to explore the impact of using different organic manures and biofertilizers on fenugreek production. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications comprising six treatments. The study used field trials to compare the results of these approaches to traditional methods and analyse their economic feasibility. The results showed that using organic inputs, particularly vermicompost mixed with Azotobacter, significantly improved plant growth and yield. The best results for growth parameters viz. plant height (34.33 cm), and the number of branches per plant (11.77) were recorded in plots applied with (T4) (Vermicompost +Azotobacter), Additionally, treatments that used bio fertilisers alongside organic manures produced higher net returns and benefit-cost ratios than treatments that only used organic manures. Numeric assessments demonstrated the economic viability of using organic manure combinations, with T4 (vermicompost + Azotobacter) yielding the highest net return of 119,389 rupees. These findings highlight the potential of organic inputs in sustainable fenugreek growing, providing farmers and stakeholders with useful insights into promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices.