Vol. 11, Issue 1 (2022)

Author(s):
YB Vala, CK Patel, MH Chavda and MG Chaudhary

Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during summer 2020. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand in texture, with low in organic carbon (0.30%) and with soil pH of 7.5. The experiment comprised of ten treatments of different sources of organic manures. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design replicating three times. Integration of organic manures along with foliar spray of bio-enhancer i.e. application of castor cake @ 0.75 t/ha + panchagavya spray @ 4% at branching and flowering (T₇) produced significantly higher number of green pods per plant (56.08), number of seeds per pod (12.95) and pod length (14.98 cm) as well as green pod yield (10880 kg/ha) and stover yield (4054 kg/ha) of cowpea. However, it was found at par with T2 (FYM @ 5 t/ha + panchagavya spray @ 4% at branching and flowering), T8 (castor cake @ 0.75 t/ha + cow urine spray @ 5% at branching and flowering) and T₃ (FYM @ 5 t/ha + cow urine spray @ 5% at branching and flowering). Application of castor cake @ 0.75 t/ha + panchagavya spray @ 4% at branching and flowering significantly improved the protein yield (298.07 kg/ha). From economic point of view, the maximum values of gross (₹ 199894/ha), net (₹ 147327/ha) realization and BCR value (3.80) were realized with the application of castor cake @ 0.75 t/ha + panchagavya spray @ 4% at branching and flowering. In light of the results obtained from present investigation, it is concluded that cowpea grown under organic farming should be fertilized with castor cake @ 0.75 t/ha along with foliar spray of 4.0% panchagavya or 5.0% cow urine at branching and flowering stage OR FYM @ 5 t/ha along with foliar spray of 4.0% panchagavya or 5.0% cow urine at branching and flowering stage for maintaining soil health, obtaining higher green pod yield and net realization under North Gujarat Agro-climatic condition.