Response of vermicompost and neem cake on Soil health and yield attributes of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) Var. Durgapura Safed

Abstract

The present investigation carried out at research farm of department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P. during the kharif season of 2019 with the objective to response of different levels of vermicompost and Neem cake on soil health, growth and yield attributes of Cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.] Var Durgapura Safed. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatment combinations, consisting of three vermicompost levels (0, 50 and 100%) and neem cake (0, 50 and 100%). In soil parameters bulk density (Mg m-3) of soil was recorded 1.28 Mg m-3 in treatment T9 (100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). Similar results were also reported in the particle density (Mg m-3) of soil was recorded 2.72 Mg m-3 in treatment T9 (100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). Soil pore space was recorded 51.00% in treatment T9 (100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). It was observed that Soil pH after harvesting 7.20 which was recorded in T9 (i.e. 100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). Electrical conductivity (dS m-1) after harvesting was 0.17 recorded with T9 (i.e. 100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). Organic carbon (%) of soil after harvesting was 0.70% in T9 (i.e. 100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). Available nitrogen in soil was 302.25 kg ha-1 after harvesting in T9 (i.e. 100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). Available phosphorus in soil was 27.69 kg ha-1 after harvesting and highest was in T9 (i.e. 100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). Available potassium in soil was 195.45 kg ha-1 after harvesting and highest was in T9 (i.e. 100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake). It was observed that for postharvest, treatment T9 (i.e. 100% vermicompost + 100% neem cake) was best in terms of growth, yield and economic parameters with maximum plant height 234.67 cm, number of leaves plant-1 42.91, number of clusters plant-1 31.96, pods cluster-1 12.82, pods plant-1 98.87, seeds per pod 8.87, pod yield 63.08 and maximum cost benefit ratio (C:B) of (1:4.28).