Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUCULATA L.) VAR ANKUR GOMATI

Anirban Sarkar, Arun Alfred David, Tarence Thomas and Iska Srinath Reddy

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in randomized block design with seven treatments to study the effect of fertilizers, organic manures, biochar and crop residues on soil properties and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in an Inceptisols of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India in 2022. A research variety Ankur Gomati was taken for thisresearch trial. Recommended doses of fertilizers (N, P2O5 and K2O @ 25, 75 and 60 kg ha-1) was applied with inorganic fertilizers (Zinc and Boron), organic manures (Farm Yard Manure, vermicompost, neem cake and poultry manure), biochar and crop residues (rice straw and wheat straw) Better result of soil parameters like bulk density 1.31 Mg m-3, particles density 2.49 Mg m-3 and soil pH 7.7 were recorded in T1 [RDF] and the maximum porosity 49.56 %, water holding capacity 47.55%, and electrical conductivity 0.29 dS m-1, soil organic carbon 0.59%, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, Fe, Mn, and Cu 325.39 Kg ha-1,33.78 Kg ha-1, 208.68 Kg ha-1, 2.88 mg kg-1, 2.66 mg kg-1 and 1.34 mg kg-1respectively were recorded in T7 [RDF + Poultry Manure @2 t ha-1 + Biochar @2.5 t ha-1+ Vermicompost @2 t ha-1 + Neem Cake @500 kg ha-1]. The maximum available Zn 0.90 mg kg-1 and available Boron 1.60 mg kg-1 were recorded in T2 [RDF + Boron @2 kg ha-1 + Zinc @7 kg ha-1]. All soil parameters significantly influenced after harvest of cowpea andwith applying the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers.