Effect of fertilizer levels and foliar application of nutrients on yield, quality and economics of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out on “Effect of fertilizer levels and foliar application of nutrients on cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]” at Vegetable Research Farm, Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during Summer-2023. It was laid out with two factors having fertilizer levels viz., F1: 100 % RDF (20-40-00 NPK kg ha-1), F2: 80 % RDF (16-32-00 NPK kg ha-1), F3: 60 % RDF (12-24-00 NPK kg ha-1) and foliar application of nutrients namely N1: No spray, N2: 2 % Novel Organic Liquid Nutrient, N3: 3 % panchagavya, N4: 0.5 % Water soluble fertilizer (19:19:19 NPK). All the treatment combinations were replicated thrice and laid out in a randomized block design with factorial concept in Gujarat Navsari Cowpea 9 variety. T2 [100 % RDF (20-40-00) + 2 % Novel Organic Liquid Nutrient] produced superior results on yield and quality parameters viz., [number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, average pod length (cm), average pod weight (g), pod girth (mm), pod yield (kg plant-1), total pod yield (kg plot-1 and t ha-1), marketable pod yield (t ha-1), harvest index, protein content of immature seed (%) at 6th picking, moisture percentage of pod at 6th picking and TSS (obrix) at 6th picking] when compared to the other treatments.