Vol. 11, Special Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
Pushpa K, Rudraswamy P and Pruthviraj N

Abstract:
Field experiments were conducted at Bengaluru during 2016, 2017 and 2018 with 9 treatments under RCBD and replicated thrice to evaluate the resource use efficiency and productivity of cowpea by agronomic interventions. The results showed that among different agronomic interventions, foliar spray of water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) 19:19:19 @ 1 % concentration during vegetative stage recorded higher growth parameters including plant height (30.07 cm) and the number of branches per plant (4.7 branches plant^-1) similarly yield parameters like higher number of pods plant^-1 (9.0 pods plant^-1), number of seeds pod^-1 (15.6 seeds pod^-1) and seed yield (1669 kg ha^-1). The same treatment also recorded higher gross returns (54941 Rs ha^-1), net returns (37850 Rs ha^-1) and B: C ratio (3.18) (pooled data of 3 years) but seed treatment with Rhizobium + PSB recorded on par results concerning pod length (16.7cm), number of seeds per pod (15.3 seeds) and seed yield (1616kg ha^-1). Providing the nutrients at the peak nutrient demand stage will improve the growth, yield parameters and economic returns to the farmers.