Amelioration of Acidic Soil and Production Performance of Cowpea by the Application of Different Organic Manures in Eastern Himalayan Region, India

Acidic soils are limiting the production potential of the crops because of low availability of basic ions and excess of hydrogen (H ⁺), aluminium (Al ³⁺), and manganese (Mn ²⁺) in exchangeable forms. Therefore, a field study was conducted to know the ameliorating effect of organic manures on acidic soils and production performance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L., Walp.) by using different locally available organic manures. Growth and yield attributes were observed to be significantly greater with vermicompost (VC) followed by poultry manure (PM). Porosity, maximum water-holding capacity (MWHC), and organic carbon were greater with farmyard manure (FYM) and cow dung manure (CDM). However, water retention at field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP), bulk density (BD), pH, and availability of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were greater with VC. However, physical and chemical properties were deteriorated in control plots.