Influence of bio-inoculant mediated organic nutrient management on productivity and profitability of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) in a semi-arid agro-ecology

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at ICAR‒Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during kharif season of 2016 and 2017 to study the influence of bio-inoculants (BI) mediated nutrient management on yield attributes, yields and economics of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]. Experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RDB) with three replications consisting of nine nutrient management treatments, viz. Control, RDF (30: 60:40 NPK), RDF + Bio-inoculant (BI), Vermicompost-VC (5 t/ha), FYM (5 t/ha), Leaf compost-LC (5 t/ha), VC + BI, FYM + BI and LC + BI. Rhizobium leguminosarum, PSB (Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas striata, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium) and potassium solubilizers (Bacillus mucilagenosus and Frateuria aurantia) were used as bio-inoculants for seed treatment. Results indicate that BI mediated nutrient management significantly increased the pods/plant. Combined effect of inoculation and organic sources of nutrients was significantly higher while inoculation with RDF remained non-significant over sole organic sources of nutrients as well as RDF. Application of FYM with BI produced highest pods/plant, grains/pod and test weight. Application of FYM with BI produced highest seed (1.6; 1.7 t/ha), stover (6.33; 6.5 t/ha) and biological yields (7.93, 8.22 t/ha) respectively during 1st and 2nd year which was at par with yield under plots applied with vermicompost and BI. Gross returns, net returns and B: C were significantly affected by the treatments. Application of FYM with BI gave higher gross returns, net returns and B: C. Overall, Significantly higher pigeonpea productivity and profitability was achieved with organic nutrient source + BI over their sole application.