Efficacy of Foliar Nutrient Applications on Growth, Yield and Economics of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) under Hot Arid Conditions of Rajasthan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53550/ijsc.v53.i2.202Keywords:
Drought, Foliar sprays, Flower initiation, Micronutrient, Mung bean, Pod formation, YieldAbstract
The hot, arid conditions of Rajasthan often face multiple challenges such as low soil fertility, high temperatures, erratic rainfall, and poor nutrient-use efficiency. Conventional soil application of fertilizers is less effective because nutrient mobility is restricted due to limited soil moisture. To address these issues, foliar nutrition emerges as a potential solution for direct and rapid absorption of nutrients and to mitigate the impact of dry spells. Against this backdrop, a field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Sub- Station, Nagaur, Agriculture University, Jodhpur, during Kharif 2021 to investigate the effect of foliar application of nutrients on enhancing growth, yield, and productivity, as well as mitigating the effects of dry spells during flower initiation (FI) and pod formation (PF) stages in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). The eleven treatments included: absolute control (no foliar application); two foliar sprays of nitrogen urea @ 1% at FI and PF stages; two foliar sprays of water- soluble NPK (19: 19: 19) @ 1% at FI and PF stages; two foliar sprays of soluble KNO 3 @ 0.5% at FI and PF stages; two foliar sprays of borate @ 0.5% at FI and PF stages; and two foliar sprays of micronutrient six elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mo, B) @ 0.5% at FI and PF stages. The treatments were laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Results revealed that foliar application of the micronutrient six elements at 0. 5% concentration at FI and PF stages exhibited the highest growth and yield attributes of mung bean, including plant height at maturity (78. 1 cm), number of branches per plant (8. 2), number of active nodules at flowering (24. 6), number of pods per plant (61. 7), number of seeds per pod (13. 2), and 1000- grain weight (43. 8 g), leading to a grain yield of 1420 kg ha- 1. This treatment also resulted in significant improvements in net returns (₹ 71, 555 ha- 1), B:C ratio (2. 25), production efficiency (20. 9 kg ha- 1 day- 1), and monetary efficiency (₹1052 ha- 1 day- 1). The lowest values were observed in the no foliar application treatment. It was concluded that foliar application of six micronutrient elements at 0.5% concentration at FI and PF stages produces superior growth, yields, and returns under the hot, arid conditions of Rajasthan.
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