Response of greengram (Vigna radiata L.) as succeeding crop to residual effect of micronutrients mixture administered in preceding sweet corn [Zea mays (L.) saccharata]

Maize followed by pulses is the predominant cropping system in many parts of India. After harvesting sweet corn, most farmers leave their land unplanted, even though it has significant potential for growing a second crop during the rabi season. Greengram is one of the best options for farmers, as it not only increases their income but also utilizes the soil’s residual nutrients and moisture. Greengram, a short-duration crop, is one of the key pulse crops in India and serves as a protein-rich food. In light of the aforementioned considerations, an experiment was conducted to evaluate whether the foliar application of micronutrients mixture to the previous kharif sweet corn crop had any residual effects on the productivity and profitability of the subsequent greengram crop.

The experiment, which included ten treatments was carried out in two consecutive rabi seasons during 2022 and 2023 at the College of Agriculture, V.C. Farm, Mandya, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, was designed using a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. After sweet corn stubbles were incorporated into the soil, greengram was planted as a follow-up crop to preserve soil fertility. With the exception of absolute control, the recommended dosage of NPK fertilizers (20:50:50 kg ha^-1) for greengram was common.

The pooled data showed that the foliar application of MM₂ (0.2%) + Humic acid @ 0.5% greatly enhanced growth parameters and yield attributes over absolute control, resulting in the highest net return (Rs. 45,203 ha^-1) and benefit:cost ratio of 2.47 among the residual effect of micronutrients mixture.