Integrated nutrient management and relationship studies in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) under rainfed conditions

Field experiment was conducted on clay soil during kharif season of 2014-15 at College farm, Latur, VNMKV, Parbhani, Maharashtra to study the effect of various sources of nutrients viz., organic manures, inorganic, biofertilizers and their combinations on growth parameters and yield attributes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) cv. ‘Konkan Sadhabahar’. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) and replicated thrice. The results revealed that significantly the maximum plant height (30.0 cm), drymatter production (17.5 g per plant), branches per plant (5.9), functionl leaves per plant (14.0) and leaf area per plant (12.1 dm2) were recorded with the application of 75 per cent RDF + Bio-fertilizers + vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1 as compared to other treatments. In respect of yield per hectare and over all yield contributing factors viz., pods per plant (6.6), pod yield per plant (7.7 g), seed yield (1066 kg ha-1) and straw yield (2707 kg ha-1) recorded significantly higher in 75 per cent RDF+Bio-fertilizers + vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1. The increased supply of N and P through organic manures, inorganic fertilizers and Biofertilizers like Rhizobium and Phosphorous Solubilising Bacteria (PSB) and higher uptake by plants contributed to increased rate of physiological processes in plant and led to higher growth and yield attributes. Correlation coefficients resulted significant positive relationships between growth, yield contributing traits and seed yield.