Effect of Foliar Nutrition and Growth Regulators on Growth, Quality and Economics of Greengram (Vigna radiata L.)

Abstract

Aim: Foliar nutrition is aimed to eliminate the problems of fixation and immobilization of nutrients. Hence, foliar application of plant growth hormones is being recognized as a significant way of fertilizing modern agriculture, especially under rainfed conditions. Growth regulating substances or growth regulators are known to influence a wide array of physiological parameters like alteration of plant architecture, assimilate partitioning, promotion of photosynthesis, uptake of nutrients (mineral ions) and enhancing metabolism. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted in medium black to deep black soil with clay loam texture at Agricultural Research Station, Bheemarayanagudi, Yadgir district during kharif season of 2022. Methodology: The experiment consisted of eleven treatments viz., T1: Control (water spray), T2: Pulse magic @ 10 g l-1 at flower initiation, T3: Nitrobenzene @ 500 ppm at flower initiation, T4: Urea @ 2 % spray at flower initiation, T5: DAP @ 2 % spray at flower initiation, T6: N: P: K (19:19:19) @ 2 % spray at flower initiation, T7: Boron @ 0.25 % spray at flower initiation, T8: Urea @ 2 % + salicylic acid @ 75 ppm spray at flower initiation, T9: DAP @ 2 % + salicylic acid @ 75 ppm spray at flower initiation, T10: N: P: K (19:19:19) @ 2 % + salicylic acid @ 75 ppm spray at flower initiation and T11: Boron @ 0.25 % + salicylic acid @ 75 ppm spray at flower initiation.  Results: Foliar application of DAP @ 2 % + salicylic acid @ 75 ppm at flower initiation was found beneficial for growth and yield of greengram along with higher net returns and benefit-cost ratio (BC ratio). Alternately, foliar application of N:P:K (19:19:19) @ 2 % + salicylic acid @ 75 ppm at flower initiation stage or foliar application of pulse magic @ 10 g l-1 at flower initiation stage can be recommended for achieving higher net returns from greengram cultivation. Conclusion: Foliar application of nutrients and plant growth hormones would reduce the burden on soil application of fertilizers through urea and DAP for greengram cultivation. Thereby, cost incurred on fertilizers could be reduced and net returns could be increased. Foliar application of DAP @ 2 % + salicylic acid @ 75 ppm at flower initiation was found beneficial for growth and yield of greengram.