Effect of organic manure and spacing on growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted on Cowpea during Zaid season of 2024 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.). To study the “Effect of organic manure and spacing on growth and yield of Cowpea(Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)”. The experiment was done under Randomized Block Design with nine treatments and replicated thrice. The results revealed that treatment 3 [Poultry manure (0.8 t/ha) + 25 cm×25 cm] was found to be more desirable with higher growth parameters viz, significantly taller plant height (55.07 cm), maximum number of branches/plant (5.33), maximum number of nodules/plant (14.60), higher plant dry weight (16.93 g), yield attributes and yield namely maximum number of pods/plant (12.80), maximum number of seeds/pod (8.70), higher seed yield (1.06 t/ha) and higher stover yield (2.75 t/ha). Maximum gross return (107260.00 INR/ha), net return (70710.00 INR/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.93) were recorded in treatment 3 [Poultry manure (0.8 t/ha) + 25 cm×25 cm] was found to be productive and also economically feasible.