Effect of foliar nutrition on growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal

The influence of different foliar nutrition (Urea, DAP, NPK-19:19:19, NPK- 10:26:26, ZnSO4.7H2O, Mo and Borax) along with recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF) were evaluated with one control (RDF only) on summer season mungbean cv. Samrat during 2022 at Instructional Farm under Seacom Skills University, Birbhum, West Bengal. The experiment was laid down in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eight treatment combinations replicated thrice. The results showed that tallest plants (58.5 cm) with more number of leaves (23.9) were observed in RDF + Urea at 2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS) treated plots. The same treatment showed the highest number of branches per plant (17.5) with maximum DMA (284.6 g m-2) but in case of underground portion like root length recorded highest in DAP foliar spray plot. Earliest 50% flowering, early pod emergence and early picking was recorded where combined application of RDF + borax at 0.2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS). The treatment RDF + DAP at 2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS) augmented highest number of pods plant-1 (18.8), pod length (6.80 cm), number of seeds pod-1 (10.75), seed index (21.2 g), seed yield (845 kg/ha) and stover yield (2020 kg/ha); followed by RDF + NPK (19-19-19) at 1% and RDF + Urea at 2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS). Yield increase was to the tune of 3.54% to 10.74%. The gross returns, net returns and benefit: cost ratio were maximum when the crop received RDF + DAP at 2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS). Hence, combined use of RDF + DAP at 2% and urea at 2% (sprayed 20 and 40 DAS) is beneficial for green gram production programme during summer season in the Red and Lateritic soils of West Bengal.