Effect of organic nutrient sources on the yield, nutrient uptake and nodulation in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) under mid-hill conditions of Western Himalayas

Cowpea is kharif pulse grown mostly under rainfed conditions. It acts as a major protein source with 25 per cent content. Cowpea besides fixing atmospheric nitrogen continues to produce under harsh conditions such as low moisture and nutrient supply, which makes it a suitable candidate for dryland conditions. A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2019 at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur to study the effect of organic nutrient sources on yield levels, nodulation, nutrient content and uptake of cowpea. Organic nutrient sources include farmyard manure, vermicompost, vermiwash, Bijamrita, Jiwamrita and Ghanajiwamrita can be prepared using on-farm inputs at a reasonable cost. These nutrient sources supply nutrients at a steady rate and in fewer amounts than inorganic fertilizers. The prime role of such organic sources is to sustain the soil ecosystems for longer functioning. The results of the experiment revealed that T5 [Farm yard manure (10 t/ha) + Ghanajiwamrita at sowing (250 kg/ha)] was most effective and resulted in significantly higher yield level (grain yield -10.71 q/ha, straw yield - 53.14 q/ha and biological yield - 63.84 q/ha), nodulation (number of nodules - 31.7 per plant and weight of nodules - 0.47 g/plant), nutrient content (N- 3.54%, P - 0.41% and K - 1.36%) and uptake (N -141.08 kg/ha, P -19.86 kg/ha and K - 112.34 kg/ha) in cowpea