Effect of Foliar Spray of Seaweed Extract and Humic Acid on Growth and Yield of Cluster Beans [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] var. Pusa Navbahar

Cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], known commonly as “Guar,” is a vital legume crop grown mostly under rainfed conditions in arid and semi-arid regions of India during the Kharif and summer season. Numerous horticultural strategies may be used to improve the growth and productivity of guar including sea weed extract and humic acid. A field experiment was conducted to determine the influence of seaweed extract and humic acid on growth, yield and post-harvest characteristics of cluster bean. Seaweed extract and humic acid were administered in the field as foliar spray at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 per cent concentrations in a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of seven treatments and three replicates. The results indicated that the higher concentration of 0.3 per cent seaweed extract and humic acid produced significantly higher plant height, leaf number, pod number per plant and total yield per hectare as compared to the lower concentrations and control. The post-harvest study revealed that foliar treatment of 0.3 per cent humic acid and seaweed extract resulted in a lower percentage of physiological weight loss and increased the shelf life of pods compared to untreated.