Yield and quality of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)Walp] as influenced by organic sources of nitrogen

Abstract

A field experiment conducted during kharif season of the year 2015 at Agronomy Instructional Farm, C.P. College of Agriculture, Sardar krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardar krushinagar Gujrat. Application of T9 (50% N through castor cake + 50% N through vermicompost + PSB) and T10: (RDF: 20+40+00 kg ha-1 NPK through fertilizer) recorded higher plant growth and development. Remarkable increase in yield attributes and seed yield (1033 kg/ha) were noted with an application of 50% N through castor cake + 50% N through vermicompost + PSB (T9). Significant improvement in protein content in seed and protein yield, N content in seed, Stover yield and N uptake by cowpea were noted with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through vermicompost + PSB (T8), whereas, higher N content in stover and P content in seed were recorded under treatment T9 (50% N through castor cake + 50% N through vermicompost + PSB). Treatment T10 (RDF: 20+40+00 kg ha-1 NPK through fertilizer) realized higher net realization (42371ha-1) and BCR (2.83) because organic fertilizer per unit cost higher than inorganic fertilizer