MSc

The present investigation entitled "Productivity management in yard long bean
(Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdcourt) through crop geometry and
nutrition" was carried out during 2002-2004 at Department of Olericulture, College of
Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The field experiment was undertaken at Agricultural
Research Station, Mannuthy. The experiment was aimed to standardize the optimum
spacing and nutrient requirements of the crop.
Green pod yield per plant was maximum (435.66 g) with the wider spacing M3
(1.5 m x 0.75m) compared to closer spacings. Application of increased doses of
fertilizers significantly increased the yield of yard long bean. Eventhough the package of
practices recommendation for vegetable cowpea is 20: 30: 10 kg NPK ha" (KAU, 1996),
in the present study, maximum yield (385.96 g) was obtained when 40: 60: 20 kg NPK
ha-I (T3) was applied. This was further supported by the superior vegetative growth
characters and nutrient content of the plants. Though split application of fertilizers
showed comparable nutrient contents in the plant parts this was not reflected in the yield
of the crop. Organic treatments in general reduced the yield of yard long bean. The
vegetative growth and nutrient contents of the plants were also low. The interaction
effects were also significant for the pod yield and the treatment combination M3 T 3
recorded maximum green pod yield per plant (480.68 g).
Productivity of yard long bean-was highest (6.73 t ha-I) in closer spacing of 1.5 m
x 0.25 m (MI). With a three fold increase in plant population the yield per plant was
reduced only by 42%. The combination MI T 3 (closer spacing with 100% increase in
fertilizers over standard recommendation applied in two splits) resulted in significantly
higher productivity (7.33 t ha-I).
However highest net returns (Rs 33030 ha-I) and B:C ratio (1.82) were realized in
the treatment combination MI T 2 with closer spacing and 50% increase over POP

recommendation applied in two splits. Organic fanning was not economically viable in
yard long bean.
The quality of green pods was supenor In organic treatments on account of
significantly lesser crude fibre and higher moisture, carbohydrate and phosphorus
contents. Organic treatments were also superior when storability and palatability of pods
were considered. Zero energy cool chamber was not found suitable for cowpea storage
as there was fungal attack to pods due to high humidity inside storage chamber.
Hence the recommendation of20 t FYM ha" as basal and NPK 30: 45: 15 kg ha"
applied in two splits - half N, full P and full K as basal and remaining half N 20 DAS and
a spacing of 1.5 m x 0.25 m can be recommended for yard long bean to get economic
returns.