Effect of Amendments and Micronutrients on Nutrient Availability, Yield and Economics of Pigeonpea Grown on Calcareous Soil

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of amendments and micronutrients on nutrient availability and yield of pigeonpea grown on calcareous soil. which was conducted during the kharif 2014–15 on shallow calcareous soil (Typic Ustorthent). The results revealed that the hydraulic conductivity was significantly higher (1.81 cm/h) in general recommended dose of nutrient (GRDN) + FeSO₄ @ 25 kg/ha + ZnSO₄ @ 20 kg/ha + Borax @ 5 kg/ha + fermented cow dung slurry (cds) (1: 4) @ 500 L/ha treatment. The soil pH and CaCO₃ content at harvest stage was significantly reduced 8.2 and 13.1%, respectively by the application of general recommended dose of nutrient along with post biomethanated spent wash (PBSW) @ 80 m³/ha. The EC was decreased (0.24 dS/m) by the application of general recommended dose of nutrient. The availability of N and K in soil was increased by the application of general recommended dose of nutrient + Micro (Grade-I) + fermented cow dung slurry (cds) (1: 4) and general recommended dose of nutrient + PBSW and P availability was higher in treatment receiving only general recommended dose of fertilizer. The availability of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu and B) were significantly increased in treatment of general recommended dose of nutrient (GRDN) + FeSO₄ @ 25 kg/ha + ZnSO₄ @ 20 kg/ha + Borax @ 5 kg/ha + fermented cow dung slurry (cds) (1: 4) @ 500 L/ha treatment. The chlorophyll content in leaves of pigeonpea was significantly increased in treatment of general recommended dose of nutrient (GRDN) + FeSO₄ @ 25 kg/ha + ZnSO₄ @ 20 kg/ha + Borax @ 5 kg/ha + fermented cow dung slurry (cds) (1: 4) @ 500 L/ha treatment. The mean value of total uptake of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and B were significantly higher in treatment T₈. The highest response in terms of grain (25.18 q/ha) and straw (92.42 q/ha) yield of pigeonpea was noticed in treatment of general recommended dose of nutrient (GRDN) + FeSO₄ @ 25 kg/ha + ZnSO₄ @ 20 kg/ha + Borax @ 5 kg/ha + fermented cow dung slurry (cds) (1: 4) @ 500 L/ha treatment. As regard to use of amendments and micronutrients in pigeonpea, treatment T₈ (general recommended dose of nutrient + fermented cow dung slurry (1: 4) + micronutrients) resulted in higher B: C ratio (8.60). It is concluded that the, application of one week fermented cow dung slurry (1: 4) with micronutrient FeSO₄ @ 25 kg/ha + ZnSO₄ @ 20 kg/ha + Borax @ 5 kg/ha or micro grade-I @ 10 kg/ha at 30 days after sowing of pigeon pea through irrigation water with general recommended dose of nutrient (25: 50 kg/ha N: P₂O₅ kg/ha + 5 t/ha FYM) was found beneficial to pigeonpea for increase in grain, straw yield, N, P, K and micronutrient uptake, improvement in soil properties and micronutrient status of calcareous soil.