Growth and yield improvement of blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) through foliar application of nutrients in southern zone of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar nutrients on growth, yield and quality of blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper under rainfed condition during summer season 2018 at the research farm of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications having eight treatments namely T1: Control (No foliar spray), T2: Foliar spraying of DAP @ 2%, T3: Foliar spraying of NAA 40 ppm and 100 ppm Salicylic acid, T4: Foliar spraying of Panchagavya @ 3%, T5: Foliar spraying of Agniasthra @ 3%, T6: Foliar spraying of PPFM @ 1%, T7: Foliar spraying of TNAU Pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1, T8: Foliar spraying of sea weed extract @ 1%. Growth and yield attributes were significantly influenced with different treatments and recorded higher value with the foliar spray of TNAU Pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1 at flowering and 15 days later. Maximum grain yield (898 kg ha-1), net return (₹ 30,648 ha-1), higher grain protein and carbohydrate content was obtained with the application of TNAU Pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1, which was at par with treatment of foliar spray of DAP @ 2%.