Source-Sink Alterations in Rice Fallow Adaptive Blackgram Variety ADT3 for Enhancement of Yield and Quality of Seed

Abstract

Seed Production of rice fallow blackgram variety, ADT3 has limitations due to inherent issues of soil fertility, climate change and thermo sensitivity results in poor flowering, reduced pod setting and poor seed filling. Macro and micro nutrients application during critical stages of growth were tried to improve the seed yield and quality in rice fallow blackgram variety ADT3. The combined foliar spraying of 0.5% NPK (macro) and 0.2% chelated micro nutrients mixture (Fe 2.5%, Mn 1.0%, Zn 3.0%, Cu 1.0%, Mo 0.1% and B 0.5%), were sprayed on 15th (Vegetative phase), 30th (Reproductive phase), 45th ( Flowering and pod formation phase) days after germination improved the growth and seed parameters viz., plant height, number of branches, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, filled seed % which resulted in increased seed yield in rice fallow blackgram variety, ADT3. Response of macro and micro nutrients through foliar mode revealed the lack of soil fertility resulting in poor uptake of macro and micro nutrients. Foliar application induced uniform flowering and synchronous maturity of pods with least shattering which would facilitate mechanical harvesting. Foliar application of macro and micro nutrients phenotypically altered the source-sink which greatly influenced the yield of seed, germination and seedling quality parameters.