Effect of Mode of Micronutrients Application on Micronutrient Availability, Growth, Yield and Chemical Composition of Pigeon Pea (Cajanuscajan) in Sandy Loam Soil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season 2018 at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) to evaluate the effect of mode of micronutrients application on micronutrient availability, growth, yield and chemical composition of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)in sandy loam soil. The area lie at a latitude of 29o 8’ North and longitude of 77o 40’ East with an elevation of 237 meters above mean sea level. The soil of the experimental field was well drained, sandy loam in texture, neutral to alkaline in reaction (pH 7.60), low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium with an electrical conductivity 0.21 dSm-1.. Nine treatments consisting of micronutrients (Zn, Fe and B) viz T1 [Control (NPK)], T2 (ZnSO4@ 25 kg/h), T3 (Fe SO4@ 40 kg/ha), T4 (Borax@ 10 kg/ha), T5 (ZnSO4+ FeSO4+ Borax), T6 (foliar spray ZnSO4@0.5%), T7 (foliar spray FeSO4 @1%), T8 (foliar spray Borax@0.2%), T9 (foliar spray ZnSO4+ FeSO4+ Borax) were tested in randomized block design with three replications. NPK was commonly applied in all the plots. The data on growth, yield and its contributing traits were calculated on plot area basis (12.6 m2), whereas content and uptake of nutrients alongwith available N, P, K, Zn, B and Fe was recorded as per the standard procedure. The experimental results revealed that growth attributes (plant height, number of primary branches), yield attributing traits (pods plant-1, grains pod-1, test weight, dry matter accumulation), yields viz., grain, straw and biological and uptake of macronutrients viz.nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as micronutrients viz.zinc, iron and boron in pigeon pea differ significantly among different treatments and were maximum with the foliar spray of ZnSO4+ FeSO4+ Borax followed by soil application of ZnSO4+ FeSO4+ Borax. Combined application of these three micronutrients showed the better yield, uptake and quality than the recommended dose of NPK only. Soil and foliar application of ZnSO4+FeSO4+ Borax along with the recommended dose of NPK improved organic carbon of soil. The soil application of ZnSO4+ FeSO4+ Borax proved to be better for maintaining the micronutrient status of soil. Therefore, the combined application of various micronutrients should be taken into consideration.