Influence of Molybdenum and Foliar Application of Boron on Growth and Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

Abstract

The field experiment was undertaken at Crop Research Farm (CRF) during the Zaid season (march to June – 2022). The Department of Agronomy at SHUATS in Prayagraj (UP). Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is one of the important pulse crops grown mainly in Zaid season under rainfed conditions. Cowpea is considered as an important crop of Uttar Pradesh because of its short duration, high yielding and quick growing capacity. Boron has emerged as an important micronutrient in Indian agriculture in the context of the spread of its deficiency. About one third of the cultivated soils in India are deficient in Boron. Likewise, molybdenum is another micronutrient leading to poor seed yield of pulses in molybdenum deficient soils of Uttar Pradeshis looking into how molybdenum and foliar boron applications affect cowpea growth and yield on soil with a sandy loam texture. To find out the correct doses of molybdenum and boron, this research was aimed. The treatments consist of three doses of Molybdenum viz., 0.5kg ha-1, 0.75kg ha-1 and 1kgha-1 and Boron 0.5% at 3 intervals viz., 30DAS, 45DAS and 30DAS & 45DAS whose effect is observed on Cowpea (var. Gomati). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with Ten treatments replicated thrice. The treatment with application of Molybdenum 1kg ha-1 + Boron 0.5% at 30DAS & 45 DAS recorded significantly higher plant height (72.55cm), number of branches plant-1 (15.33) and plant dry weight (43.68 g), number of pods per plant (16.73), number of seeds per pod (11.67), seed index (18.38g), seed yield (1.59 t ha-1) and Haulm yield (4.16 t ha-1) compared to other treatment combinations.