Effect of foliar nutrition and hydrogel on soil moisture, growth, yield and economics of lentil under vertisols

A field experiment was carried out during three consecutive winter (rabi) seasons (2015-16 to 2017-18) at Agricultural Research Station (Agriculture University), Kota to find out effective dose of foliar nutrition and hydrogel on soil moisture, productivity and profitability of lentil (Lens culinaris) under vertisols of south eastern Rajasthan. The experiment was laid out in thrice replicated split plot design comprising of 3 hydrogel levels (i.e. 0, 2.5 kg/ha & 5.0 kg/ha) in main plots and 5 levels of foliar nutrition (i.e. water spray, urea 2 %, thiourea @ 500 ppm, salicylic acid @ 75 ppm & NPK (19:19:19) @ 0.5 %) in sub plots. It revealed that soil application of hydrogel 5.0 kg/ha before sowing recorded significantly higher pods/plant (67.2), grain yield (1325 kg/ ha) and net return (33390/ha) over control and 2.5 kg/ha, respectively while, maximum B: C ratio (1.72) was fetched with hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha (being on par with hydrogel 5.0 kg/ ha over no hydrogel). Foliar application of NPK (19:19:19) @ 0.5% at flower initiation & pod development stages recorded significantly higher pods/plant (63.7), grain yield (1224 kg/ha), net return (31748/ha) and B: C ratio (1.72) (being on par with salicylic acid @ 75 ppm) over water spray and urea 2%.