Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
K Kiruthika, M Hemalatha, E Somasundaram and S Jothimani

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam in Tuticorin district during summer season (March 2020- May 2021) to assess the effect of foliar nutrition on growth and yield of blackgram under unprecedented soil saturation. The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of three levels of soil moisture condition viz., conventional method with normal irrigation frequency (M₁), maintenance of soil moisture at saturation from 20-30 DAS (M₂), maintenance of soil moisture at saturation from 30-40 DAS (M₃) as main plot and four levels of foliar spray of nutrients viz., foliar spray of 2% DAP at 30 and 45 DAS (S₁), 1% pulse wonder at 30 DAS(S₂), 1% MAP + Micro Nutrient mixture at 20 and 35 DAS (S₃), and 1% polyfeed + Micro Nutrient mixture at 30 and 45 DAS (S₄) as subplots. The results of the study revealed that excess moisture exceeding field capacity is more detrimental to crop growth and establishment at the early stages than at later stages. With regard to foliar nutrition, application of 1% pulse wonder once at 30 DAS significantly recorded higher growth components (plant height, number of branches plant^-1, leaf area index, dry matter production), yield attributes (pod length, no of pods plant^-1, no of seeds pod^-1) and yield (seed and haulm) under saturation which was on par with application of 1% poly feed + micronutrient mixture twice at 30 and 45 DAS.