Vol. 15 No. 1
Effect of humic acid on the growth and yield of rabi pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] in the New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal
Author(s): A. NALIA AND K. SENGUPTA
Abstract: Pigeon pea is grown either as sole crop or an intercrop / mixed crop with a wide range of crops in India during rainy season. In spite of adoption of high yield potential varieties across the country, the average yield is quite less (nearly 770 kg ha-1). To increase the yield the crop may be grown as a post-rainy season crop or winter (rabi) crop with proper inputs. Humic acid, one of the major components of soil and organic matter (manures), may improve overall soil quality and thus can play an important role for improving plant growth, development and nutrient uptake. The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of humic acid on performance of rabi (winter) pigeon pea crop at University Farm (22°92′76″ N latitude and 88°55′05″ E longitude) located under New Alluvial Zone (NAZ) of West Bengal. The crop growth in terms of LAI and aerial dry mass per unit area and the main yield component (number of pods plant-1) were significantly higher in the treatments got humic acid along with compost. The highest seed yield (1208.61 kg ha-1) was recorded in the treatment where humic acid was applied in soil @7.5 litre ha-1 with compost @10 ton ha-1, followed by the treatment where humic acid was applied in soil @15 litre ha-1 with compost (1146.71 kg ha-1). Results revealed that the application of humic acid had a distinct effect to increase the yield of rabi pigeon pea crop.
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