Enumeration of Different Nutrient Management Practices in the Yield of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Pulses are the most important food crops after cereals, referred to as “grain legumes” and are one of the important ingredients in a global vegetarian diet, commonly known as a “poor man's protein source,” as they contain 20-25% protein (Ray et al., 2023). Pulse crops contribute to soil health by fixing nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers Their ability to thrive in diverse climates and conditions makes them resilient to climate change, ensuring food availability in challenging environments. Furthermore, pulse crops support biodiversity and can enhance crop rotation systems, thereby improving overall agricultural productivity. (Sunil Kumar et al., 2025). Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.)] is a widely grown pulse crop, assuming considerable importance for food and nutritional security in India (Banerjee et al., 2021). It is a crucial short-duration pulse crop, typically grown in rainy (kharif) season in the country. Endowed with a unique capability of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, the crop has an excellent capacity to maintain soil fertility (Saleem et al., 2016). Black gram seeds are exceptional source of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fibre, vitamins, and minerals (Jadhav et al., 2019). India is now the world's leading producer of black gram, accounting for more than 70 per cent of worldwide output. Myanmar and Pakistan come in second and third, respectively. India has an area of 45.33 lakh hectares under black gram cultivation; its production and productivity account for 20.84 lakh tonnes and 459 kg ha^-1, respectively. The total area under black gram cultivation in Tamil Nadu is 4.05 lakh hectares. In Tamil Nadu, black gram production and productivity are 3.17 lakh tonnes and 783 kg ha^-1, respectively. Pudukkottai district has an area of 4649 ha under black gram cultivation, and its production and productivity are 2353 tonnes and 506 kg ha^-1, respectively
(Muthulakshmi and Premavathi, 2021). INM includes the intelligent use of organic, inorganic and online biological resources to sustain optimum yield, improve or maintain the soil physical and chemical properties and provide crop nutrition packages which are technically sound, economically attractive, practically feasible and environmentally safe
(Desai et al., 2020). INM is also Biofertilisers have shown promising results in sustaining crop productivity and improving soil fertility (Tomar et al., 2013).

The study aimed to investigate various nutrient management practices and their impact on the yield of Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) during the Kharif season. The experimental field was conducted at Nalanda College of Agriculture, M. R. Palayam, Trichy, from May to
August 2025. The site was located at 10.08° N latitude and 77.64° E longitude, with an altitude of 296 m above MSL. The climate was characterised as a tropical zone, with a maximum temperature ranging from 33.1 ºC to 38.9 ºC, a minimum temperature of 25.2 ºC to 27.4 ºC, and a mean annual rainfall of 800 mm to 1000 mm. The soil characteristics of the experimental field included clay loam soil type, with a fertility status of 213.59 kg ha^-1 in available nitrogen, 3.94 kg ha^-1 in available phosphorus, and 502.14 kg ha^-1 in available potassium. The physicochemical characteristics of the soil sample were also studied. The study provides details of the experimental materials used and methods adapted during the study.

The study focuses on the Black gram variety VBN 11, which has high-yielding, resistance to Yellow Mosaic Virus, leaf crinkle, and moderate resistance to powdery mildew diseases. The experiment was conducted in a Randomised Block Design with three replications, with each treatment plot having dimensions of 5 m x 4 m. The treatments included the application of recommended doses of NPK (20:40:20 kg ha^-1), Vermicompost, and FYM in different combinations, in addition to the control plot.

The field preparation involved ploughing, harrowing, and providing irrigation channels. Good viable seeds of VBN 11 were used at 20 kg ha^-1, and irrigation was done regularly. Nutrients were applied in the form of DAP (46% P, 18% N) and MOP (60% K) as soil application. Gap filling and thinning were done on 14 days, and hand weeding was done
on 25 and 35 days. Plant protection was implemented as per the recommendations whenever the pest and disease incidence exceeded the economic threshold level. Harvesting was done by hand-picking the mature pods three times at weekly intervals.

Five samples in each plot were tagged randomly in each net plot for recording biometric observations like Plant height (cm), Number of branches plant^-1, Number of
leaves plant^-1, Leaf Area Index, Dry Matter Production (kg ha^-1), Number of pods plant^-1, Pod length (cm), Number of seeds pod^-1, Grain yield (kg ha^-1), Halum yield (kg ha^-1), Harvest Index, Benefit Cost Ratio.

These experimental data were recorded and statistically analysed with the methods given by Gomez and Gomez (1984). The data showed high variation hence, the data were subjected to a square root transformation √x+0.5 and analysed statistically. Wherever the results were found to be significant, the critical difference (CD) was calculated at a 5% probability level for a significant result. Non-significant comparison was indicated as ‘NS’.

The field experiment on black gram demonstrated that integrated nutrient management practices had a significant influence on growth characteristics. The application of 50% Recommended Dosage of fertiliser, 25% farmyard manure, and 25% Vermicompost resulted in maximum values of plant height, leaf area index, and dry matter production. The combined use of organic manures and inorganic fertilisers improved the availability of nutrients to the crops, leading to increased growth attributes and higher dry matter production. Similar findings were reported by Mishra et al., (2024)

Yield attributing characters like the number of pods plant^-1 and number of grains pod^-1 were higher in the application of 50% Recommended Dosage of Fertiliser + 25% Farm Yard Manure + 25% Vermicompost. Similar research findings were reported by
Krishnaprabu (2018). This was due to the supply of plant nutrients to the crop through the combined application of organic manures with inorganic fertilisers. The combination of organic manures with inorganic fertilisers improved the soil's physical and chemical properties, providing favourable soil conditions and enhancing soil health to improve nutrient use efficiency.

Among the various treatments, the application of 50% Recommended Dosage of Fertiliser + 25% Farm Yard Manure + 25% Vermicompost registered a higher seed yield
(910 kg ha^-1) and haulm yield (2287 kg ha^-1). Sridhar et al., (2020) also reported similar results. The application of FYM and Vermicompost enhanced productivity and increased nutrient absorption in black gram, resulting in improved plant growth and superior yield attributes.

The effect of integrated nutrient management practices on black gram was recorded, showing higher nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake at the crop's harvest stage. The application of NPK as a chemical fertiliser supplied the initial nutrients required for black gram growth, resulting in higher growth and yield characteristics. Usman et al., (2015) and Lakshmi et al., (2015) also obtained similar results.

In terms of economics, the maximum gross income, net income, and BCR of
₹87943 ha^-1, ₹54559 ha^-1, and 2.63 were registered in the application of 50% Recommended Dosage of Fertiliser + 25% Farm Yard Manure + 25% Vermicompost. The integration of organic manures with inorganic fertilisers improved nutrient availability, increasing growth, yield attributes, yield, gross return, and profit.

Table 1. Effect of various nutrient management practices on
growth parameters of Black gram

Table 2. Effect of various nutrient management practices on
yield parameters of Black gram

SUMMARY

The study found that integrated nutrient management practices had a significant influence on the growth characteristics of black gram plants. The application of
50% Recommended Dosage of Fertiliser + 25% Farm Yard Manure + 25% Vermicompost (T₇) resulted in higher plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, number of branches plant^-1, and number of leaves plant^-1. The control treatment (T₁) recorded the least growth characteristics.

Integrated nutrient management practices also significantly influenced the pod length, number of pods plant^-1, and number of seeds pod^-1 of black gram. The application of
50% Recommended Dosage of Fertiliser + 25% Farm Yard Manure + 25% Vermicompost (T₇) registered maximum pod length, number of pods plant^-1, and number of seeds pod^-1. The control treatment (T₁) significantly reduced yield characters and test weight.

In terms of grain and haulm yield, the application of 50% Recommended Dosage of Fertiliser + 25% Farm Yard Manure + 25% Vermicompost (T₇) recorded maximum grain and haulm yield. The application of 50% Recommended Dosage of Fertiliser + 25% Farm Yard Manure + 25% Vermicompost (T₇) resulted in the maximum gross income, net income, and BCR invested of ₹ 87943 ha^-1, ₹ 54559 ha^-1, and 2.63, while the minimum gross income,
net income, and BCR were registered under the control treatment (T₁).

Based on the result of the field experiment, it can be concluded that the Integrated application of 50% Recommended Dosage of Fertiliser +25% Farm Yard Manure + 25% Vermicompost (T₇) treatment performed very well and is an economically viable method for enhancing the grain yield of black gram. The application of FYM and Vermicompost with inorganic fertiliser supplies the nutrients, making it an economically viable method that can be recommended to black gram farmers for achieving good yields and profit.

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