Response of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer on soil properties growth and yield of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) var. Radha

Introduction

Soil is one of the most important natural resources because it supports agriculture, maintains environmental balance, and sustains life (Hou et al., 2024) [10] . It contains minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms that work together to support plant growth and ecological processes (Jackson, 1973) [11] . Besides serving as a medium for crops, soil helps in nutrient cycling, water storage, carbon sequestration, and maintaining biodiversity (Hou et al., 2024) [10] . However, due to intensive farming, population pressure, excessive tillage, and improper land management practices, soil degradation has become a major issue, especially in regions like the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Prayagraj (Yadav et al., 2023) [44] . Problems such as nutrient depletion, erosion, salinity, soil compaction, and decline in organic matter have negatively affected soil fertility and productivity (Hou et al., 2024) [10] . In recent years, the concept of soil health has gained importance because healthy soil is essential for sustainable agriculture (Yadav et al., 2023) [44] . Soil health depends on balanced physical, chemical, and biological properties such as good structure, nutrient availability, organic carbon content, microbial activity, and water-holding capacity (Jackson, 1973) [11] . Among these factors, soil organic carbon is especially important because it improves soil fertility, aggregation, moisture retention, and microbial growth (Walkley& Black, 1947) [40] . Unfortunately, continuous cropping and excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers have reduced soil health in many agricultural areas (Meena et al., 2021) [20] . The excessive and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers, particularly NPK fertilizers, has increased crop production but has also created several environmental and soil-related problems (Kumar et al., 2015) [14] . Nitrogen promotes vegetative growth, phosphorus supports root development and energy transfer, while potassium improves stress tolerance and crop quality (Yadav et al., 2012) [12] . Although these nutrients are essential, overuse of fertilizers has led to nutrient imbalance, reduced fertilizer efficiency, micronutrient deficiencies, groundwater pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions (Kumar et al., 2020) [15] . Therefore, balanced and sustainable nutrient management has become necessary (Meena et al., 2019) [19] .

Vermicompost has emerged as an effective organic amendment for improving soil fertility and sustainability (Edwards & Burrows, 1988; Joshi et al., 2015) [7,12] . It is produced through the decomposition of organic wastes by earthworms and contains nutrients, beneficial microbes, enzymes, and plant growth hormones (Edwards & Burrows, 1988) [7] . Vermicompost improves soil structure, aeration, porosity, water-holding capacity, and nutrient availability (Azarmi et al., 2008; Parthasarathi & Ranganathan, 1999) [1,24] . It also enhances microbial activity and helps in the gradual release of nutrients, reducing nutrient losses compared to chemical fertilizers (Joshi et al., 2015) [12] . Research has shown that the combined use of vermicompost and NPK fertilizers gives better results than using either alone (Patel et al., 2019; Swaroop et al., 2023) [26,37] . Chemical fertilizers provide immediate nutrients for crop growth, while vermicompost improves long-term soil fertility and biological activity (Azarmi et al., 2008) [1] . This integrated nutrient management approach increases nutrient use efficiency, improves soil organic carbon, enhances microbial activity, and reduces environmental damage caused by excessive chemical fertilizer use (Sharma et al., 2012; Yadav et al., 2023) [30,44] . Cluster bean (guar) is an important leguminous crop widely grown in arid and semi-arid regions of India (Rathore et al., 2009) [28] . It is valued for its use as a vegetable, fodder, green manure, and for guar gum production (Patel et al., 2014) [25] . Being a legume, cluster bean can fix atmospheric nitrogen through Rhizobium bacteria, which improves soil fertility (Sharma et al., 2018) [32] . However, balanced nutrition, especially phosphorus and potassium, is still necessary for proper growth, nodulation, and yield (Yadav et al., 2012) [42] . In regions like Prayagraj, declining soil fertility and low organic carbon are major challenges for sustainable crop production (Yadav et al., 2023) [44] . The integrated application of vermicompost along with balanced NPK fertilizers can improve soil properties, nutrient availability, crop growth, and yield while maintaining environmental sustainability (Choudhary et al., 2024; Patel et al., 2022) [6,27] . Such practices not only restore soil productivity but also support long-term agricultural sustainability, farmer profitability, waste recycling, and ecological balance (Meena et al., 2024; Swaroop et al., 2023) [21,37] .

Materials and Methods

The current study was set up using a randomised block design (RBD), which consists of nine treatment combinations that are replicated three times with different treatment allocations in each replication. This creates twenty-seven plots at the research site (Fisher, 1950) [8] . In this study, Vermicompost and NPK was applied in three different doses as RDF. The cluster bean crop was manually sown on August 5th, 2025. At a pace of 10 kg ha -1 , with a row-to-row distance of 45-50 cm and a plant-to-plant distance of 10-15 cm, the seed variety Radha was planted. Absolute control R0F0 T2 @N0P0K0 kgha -1 + @VC5 tha -1 R0F1 T3 @N0P0K0 kgha -1 + @VC10 tha -1 R0F2 T4 @N10P20K20 kgha -1 + @VC0 tha -1 R1F0 T5 @N10P20K20 kgha -1 + @VC5 tha -1 R1F1 T6 @N10P20K20 kgha -1 + @VC10 tha -1 R1F2 T7 @N20P40K40 kgha -1 + @VC0 tha -1 R2F0 T8 @N20P40K40 kgha -1 + @VC5 tha -1 R2F1 T9 @N20P40K40 kgha -1 + @VC10 tha -1 R2F2

Soil Analysis Physical Analysis

The physical analysis was done with the help of Bouyoucos Hydrometer method for texture class, RD bottle method for bulk and particle density and use of measuring cylinder method for pore space and water holding capacity.

Chemical Analysis

The chemical analysis of was done for pH, Electrical conductivity, organic carbon (%), Available Nitrogen, Available Phosphorus and Available Potassium.

Results and Discussion

The results indicated that integrated application of NPK fertilizers and vermicompost significantly influenced soil physical and chemical properties of post-harvest soil. Bulk density and particle density decreased with increasing levels of vermicompost and NPK fertilizers. The lowest bulk density (1.17 Mg m⁻³) and particle density (2.48 Mg m⁻³) were recorded under T₉ [@N 20 P 40 K 40 kg ha -1 + @VC 10 t ha -1 ], whereas the highest values were observed in T₁ [Absolute Control]. Pore space and water holding capacity increased significantly under integrated nutrient management treatments. The maximum pore space (48.75%) and water holding capacity (46.59%) were observed in T₉ [@N 20 P 40 K 40 kg ha -1 + @VC 10 t ha -1 ]. Chemical properties of soil were also significantly improved under integrated nutrient management. Organic carbon content and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased with application of vermicompost and NPK fertilizers. The highest nutrient availability was recorded in T₉ due to balanced nutrient supply and enhanced microbial activity. Growth and yield attributes of cluster bean were significantly affected by different treatments. The maximum plant growth, pod development and seed yield were recorded under T₉ [@N 20 P 40 K 40 kgha -1 + @VC 10 tha -1 ]. The highest seed yield (53.78 q ha⁻¹) obtained under integrated nutrient management. Economic analysis revealed that T₇ [@N 20 P 40 K 40 kg ha -1 +@VC 0 t ha -1 ], recorded the highest benefit-cost ratio (1:2.79) because of lower input cost compared to integrated treatments. Although integrated nutrient management produced higher yield, the additional cost of vermicompost reduced net economic return.

Conclusion

It is concluded from the trial that integrated application of vermicompost and recommended dose of NPK fertilizers significantly improved soil physical and chemical properties, growth and yield of cluster bean. Treatment T₉ [@N₂₀P₄₀K₄₀ kg ha⁻¹ + @VC 10 t ha⁻¹] proved superior in improving soil health and crop productivity. However, treatment T₇ recorded the highest economic return due to lower cultivation cost. Therefore, integrated nutrient management may be recommended for sustainable cluster bean production and soil fertility improvement.

Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, (U.P.) India for providing the infrastructure, favourable working environment and necessary facilities that supported this study.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThe authors extend their gratitude to the development agents in the research work for their assistance during the fieldwork and lab work. The authors are thankful to Head, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute,

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