Browsing by Author "Sai Lakshmi Mithila, U."

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    Fertigation scheduling for vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis) under naturally ventilated polyhouse
    (Department of Vegetable science, College of Agriculture,Vellanikkara, 2024) Sai Lakshmi Mithila, U.
    Vegetable cowpea stands out as a highly valued crop in Kerala, commanding lucrative prices due to its versatility and significant nutritional advantages for human health. The cultivation of this crop proves to be financially rewarding when meticulous inputs are provided. Precision farming offers a method to precisely apply fertilizers, and the primary objective of this study is to establish a standard fertilizer recommendation for applying fertilizers in a precise manner. Vegetable cowpea exists in three distinct types: bush cowpea, trailing, and semi-trailing. These varieties exhibit significant differences in growth habits, spacing requirements, yields, biomass, and cultural practices. Consequently, a standardized fertigation schedule can be proposed, taking into account the distinct characteristics of bush and trailing cultivars of cowpea. The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has an ad hoc recommendation for precision farming in yard-long beans (170:105:310 kg N: P: K/ha). This study focused on standardising fertigation schedule and evaluating the effects of various fertigation levels on a bush-type cultivar, Kashi Kanchan, and a trailing-type variety, KAU Deepika. Fertigation involves delivering water-soluble fertilizers through irrigation water, offering a more superior nutrient and water use efficiency compared to traditional methods of fertilizer application. The research was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, from November to January 2024. The first experiment, focusing on fertigation scheduling for yard-long bean cv. Deepika, employed a randomized block design featuring seven fertigation levels: 50% RDF, 60% RDF, 70% RDF, 80% RDF, 90% RDF, 100% RDF, and 110% RDF. The second experiment (fertigation scheduling for vegetable cowpea cv. Kashi Kanchan), also utilized a randomized block design with seven fertigation levels: 40% RDF, 50% RDF, 60% RDF, 70% RDF, 80% RDF, 90% RDF, and 100% RDF. Fertigation was administered at three-day intervals, and Trichoderma-enriched farmyard manure (FYM) was uniformly applied at a rate of 15 t/ha across all treatments. In all the treatments, basal application of phosphorus was given. Hundred percent recommended dose of fertilizers was 170:105:310 kg N: P: K/ha (40 splits). In the present study, only 21 splits of fertilizers were applied because the crop ended early, 70 days after sowing due to high temperature, phytotoxicity and sucking pest infestation. The actual quantity of fertilizer (21 splits) applied was at the rate of 89.25:80.09:162.75 kg N: P: K/ha (100% RDF). Findings of the first experiment in yard long bean cv. Deepika revealed that fertigation had significant effect on internodal length, number of pods per plant and yield. 110% RDF registered maximum internodal length (34.53 cm), maximum number of pods per plant (19.97). Highest yield per plant (0.55 kg) was recorded in 110% RDF and it was statistically on par with 100% RDF (0.53 kg). Fertigation had significant effect on average pod length and weight. Pod girth did not show any marked difference with different levels of fertigation. In KAU Deepika, highest average pod length (62.63 cm) was recorded in 110% RDF which was statistically on par with 100% RDF (61.80 cm) and highest average pod weight (27.60 g) was noticed in 110% RDF and it was statistically on par with 100% RDF (27.37 g) and 90% RDF (27.37 g). Fertigation had no significant effect on number of flowers per cluster, pod colour, crude fiber and trypsin inhibitor content of the pods. Days to first flower opening, days to first harvest and number of harvests were significantly influenced with fertigation doses. Treatment seven (110% RDF) took lower days to first flower opening (40.2 DAS) and days to first harvest (51.20 DAS) and it was statistically on par with T6 and T5. Maximum number of harvests were recorded in 110% RDF (6.67) which was statistically on par with 100% RDF, 90% RDF, 80% RDF and 70% RDF. Water content was highest in the pods of 100% RDF (91.10%) and it was statistically on par with 110% RDF (91.02%). T6 showed less Physiological loss in weight (15.35%) and it was statistically on par with 110% RDF (15.76%). Benefit-cost ratio was found to be highest for 110% RDF (1.52) and the second highest B:C ratio was obtained for 100% RDF (1.49). Findings of the second experiment in Kashi Kanchan revealed that 100% RDF registered maximum internodal length (23.47 cm). Maximum number of pods per plant (26.18) and highest yield per plant (0.25 kg) was recorded in 100% RDF and it was statistically on par with 90% RDF. Maximum average pod length (31.80 cm) and average pod weight (9.60 g) were observed for 100% RDF which was statistically on par with 90% RDF. Average pod girth, number of flowers per cluster, days to first flower opening, days to first harvest, number of harvests, crude fiber, trypsin inhibitor and colour of the pod were not influenced by nutrition level. T7 (100% RDF) registered maximum water content (89.66%) and less physiological loss in weight (16.18%) and it was statistically on par with 90% RDF. Benefit-cost ratio was found to be highest for 100% RDF (1.18) and the second highest B:C ratio was obtained for 90% RDF (1.15). Incidence of pests like cut worm, leaf miner, whitefly, thrips, mites, aphids were observed during the study. The crop was affected by diseases such as powdery mildew, alternaria leaf spot and cercospora leaf spot. Thus, based on the present study it can be concluded that 110% RDF (98.18:88.1:179.03 kg N: P: K/ha) for yard long bean cv. Deepika and 100% RDF (89.25:80.09:162.75 kg N: P: K/ha) for vegetable cowpea cv. Kashi Kanchan is the best fertigation dosage for obtaining maximum yield and B:C ratio grown inside polyhouse.