Effect of Different Natural Farming Treatments on Growth, Yield and Economics of Black Gram (Vigna Mungo L.) in Western U P

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during summer season of 2019 at the Technology Park, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, U.P. to study the “Effect of different natural farming treatments on growth, yield and economics of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) in western U P”. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture having good drainage, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorous and potassium with pH 7.92. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and 9 treatments. Results revealed that the growth parameters and yield attributing characters of black gram viz. pods/plant, grains/pod, test weight and grain yield/plant were significantly higher under Beejamrutha + Jeevamrutha + Mulching (21.6, 7.4, 4.63 & 3.6, respectively) over control and RDF. The Beejamrutha +Jeevamrutha + Mulching treatment was out yielded (9.75 q ha-1) over control (4.94 q ha-1). Black gram grown with Beejamrutha + Jeevamrutha + Mulching accumulated more total N, P and K (58.46, 10.63 & 42.29 kg ha-1, respectively) over control (22.54, 2.48 & 19.19 kg ha-1) and RDF (46.50, 6.69 & 34.86 kg ha-1). The higher protein content (24.31 %) was recorded with Beejamrutha + Jeevamrutha + Mulching treatment over control (18.88 %) and RDF (23.50 %). There was significant improvement in soil nutrient status (available N, P and K) and soil microbial load (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and N-fixer). Higher B: C ratio was recorded with Beejamrutha + Jeevamrutha + Mulching (3.0) followed by Jeevamrutha + Mulching (2.70), where as lower B: C ratio was recorded with control (1.60).