Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
L Sai Mouli, PK Nagre, VS Kale, AM Sonkamble and NM Konde

Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out on variety PDKV Rutuja during Summer season of 2023, at Instructional Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola to study the effect of different levels of potassium on growth, seed yield and economics of vegetable cowpea and experiment was laid out in RBD consisting of 07 treatments i.e., T₁ - absolute control, T₂ - 25:50:00 NPK kg ha^-1, T₃ - 25:50:10 NPK kg ha^-1, T₄ - 25:50:20 NPK kg ha^-1, T₅ - 25:50:30 NPK kg ha^-1, T₆ - 25:50:40 NPK kg ha^-1, T₇ - 25:50:50 NPK kg ha^-1 replicated thrice. Results of present investigation indicated that growth parameters like, maximum plant height (74.96 cm), maximum number of branches plant^-1 (6.96), maximum number of flower stalks plant^-1 (26.44) and yield contributing parameters like, maximum number of pods cluster^-1 (2.93), highest number of green pods plant^-1 (34.82), highest number of seeds pod^-1 (14.90), highest average weight of green pod (8.54 g), maximum pod length (24.80 cm), maximum seed index (15.53 g), highest seed yield plot^-1 (1.23 kg) and seed yield ha^-1 (1020 kg ha^-1) were recorded maximum with application of 25:50:40 NPK kg ha^-1 (T₆). When taking into account cost-benefit analysis, potassium levels with the application of 25:50:40 NPK kg ha^-1 (T₆) showed the best gross returns (Rs. 1,53,000), highest net returns (Rs. 1,06,550), and highest B:C ratio (3.29). The application of 25:50:30 NPK kg ha^-1 (T5) came closely behind. which showed gross returns of Rs. 1,49,400, net returns of Rs. 1,03,250, and a 3.23 B:C ratio. It has been discovered that applying potassium (K₂O) in the range of 30 to 40 kg K₂O ha^-1 is more suitable, profitable, and pays the farmers for the production of cowpea seeds.