Effect of soil and foliar application of nutrient on yield and economics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. mill)

Abstract

A field experiment titled Studies on soil and foliar application of nutrient in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. mill) was conducted during the kharif season of 2024-25 in RBD with 3 replications and 10 treatments at the College of Agriculture, Badnapur. To assess the response of different nutrient management on growth and yield of pigeonpea. The pigeonpea seed variety BDN 2013-41 was sown on 11th July 2024, each plot measured 5.4 m × 5 m and using the dibbling method by planting one or two seeds per hill at a spacing of 90 cm x 20 cm, at an approximate depth of 4.0 cm. The findings of the study clearly showed that various nutrient management treatments had a significant impact on the yield attributes and economics of pigeonpea. The treatment comprising RDF + foliar spray of 0.5% micronutrient Grade II + 0.3% 00:52:34 + 0.4% 13:00:45 recorded the highest seed yield (2581 kg ha⁻¹), straw yield (6634 kg ha⁻¹) and biological yield (9288 kg ha⁻¹), significantly outperforming other treatments. This treatment also showed the highest gross (₹2,01,307 ha⁻¹) and net returns (₹1,41,049 ha⁻¹), while RDF + foliar application of 0.4% 13:00:45 + 0.3% 00:52:34 recorded the highest benefit cost ratio (3.46).