Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Field Bean as Influenced by Farmyard Manure and Bio-Digester Liquid Manure

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted from 2010 to 2012 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya to study the nutrient uptake and economics of field bean as influenced by farmyard manure and bio-digester liquid manure. Soil was red sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon (0.38%) and available nitrogen (215.5 kg ha-1), medium in available P2O5 (26.2 kg ha-1) and K2O (162.3 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and treatment consisted of three levels of FYM (5.0, 7.5 and 10 t ha-1) and four levels of bio-digester liquid manure equivalent (BDLME) to 20, 25, 30 and 35 kg N ha-1 and compared with recommended practice (FYM 7.5 t + 25:50:25 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1) and control. Significantly higher total nitrogen, P2O5 and K2O (92.3, 15.45 and 83.8 kg ha-1, respectively) were taken up by the crop when applied with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 35 kg N ha-1 which was on par with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 30 kg N ha-1 (91.0, 15.22 and 82.6 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1, respectively) and recommended practice (96.0, 15.96 and 86.1). Higher net returns and B:C ratio (Rs 12,625 ha-1 and 1.78 respectively) were obtained with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 35 kg N ha-1 followed by FYM 10 t + BDLME to 30 kg N ha-1 (Rs 12,397 ha-1 and 1.80, respectively).